The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-08-04
Death of Judge James L. t,illis.

lie uleu at Mt' ie"stlui on the 9th
day of July, in his s9th year. We
shall not dwell on the early chapter OF
this subject, but start with his career
with his advent into this State. and
the event of his life Immediately prior
to his coming here, that of his alleged
connection with the abduction of
Morgan of Masonic history. Judge
Gillis was tried and acquitted; but
the history of those times remain to
be written. 1t was soon after the
Morgan abduction or his disap-
pearance, that Judge Gillis moved into
this State, the Mt. Pleasant Journal
says in 1922, and located in Jefferson
county, "then almost almost a wilder
ness, with his nearest neighbors six
teen miles distant and his nearest
postoffice seventy miles distant. Here
he cleared a large body of land and
built saw and grist mill and become
the first extensive manufacturer i'm
that region, III which interest he was
engaged until he came to Iowa i'm
1862. He was soon appointed associate
judge of Jefferson and Franklin
counties, serving two terms. In 1910
was elected Il member of the legisla.
ture of Pennsylvania, serving three
years in the house and three in the
senate. In 1856 he was elected mem
Der of Congress from his district, and
during Mr.. Buchanan's adninistra-
ton he was appointed Indian agent.
He also served as mali agent at San
Francisco under President Pierce. He
was all intimate friend of James
Buchanan and was delegate to the
convention which nominated hlnl.
He made his first visit to Iowa in 1927,
and when he returned home found
his Democratic friends were again
running him for the legislature. He
again came to Iowa in 1869, where he
since made his home with his son
Charles in this city. He was mar
rled i'll 1916 to Miss Mary Ridgway, of
Philadelphia, who died in 1926, leav-
ing three children, Ridgway i. and
Charles = who lived and died in this
city, and Jeannettc G., Mrs Houk, of
Ridgway, PA. In 1928 he was again
married to Miss Celia a. Berry, of
New York, who died in 1855, leaving
II family of seven children b. w.
journalist in Richmond, Va. Claudius
v, of Kane, Pa James H., of the L.
:. Navy and captain Of the ship Lack
awnnna, Robert s., of this city, Mrs.
Porter and Mrs. NoXon, of New
York state, and Mrs. Henry Whiting
Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
Mrs. GiIlis was most aflcctionatc
father and his children were devotcdly
attached 70 him. No liial duty was
neglected by them. Widely separated
they would visit him whenever he cX-
pressed Il wish to see them, and by
their ati1ctionatc care, showed the
strong love they bore him. This feel
ing of consideration and respect
was also shared Ivy his grand children
to whom he YVES an example of vigor-
oun manhood and weil-flled wears.
He has made his home with his son
Charles and his good wife Emma, for
the last twenty years, or more, and
during that time has never had q wish
unSatisfied that it was possible for
kindly hands To grant. His son and
daughter-nlaw have been most un-
sparing in their kindness to him,
which he appreciated fully and could
hardly speak of without much feeling.
The patient devotion Of Mrs. Gillis
to this venerable man through the
many years of his failing strength is
II praise-worthy example of the filial
duty which is too often withheld from
those over whom the flood of years
has passed. The tragic death of his
son Charles, last March, was II severe
shock to the Judge, from which he
never recovered, probably shortening
his life. Though always of high
moral sense and with firm faith in
the teachings of the Bible, he has,
since the death of his son, been more
firmly impressed with the necessity of
preparing for the future. Even up
to his latest hours he took an active
interest III the affairs of the outside
world and was plundged into the
deepest anxiety by by the late attempt
upon the life of President Garfield.
The funeral services were largely at
tended and were conducted at the
house by Rev. Tappan. The ccre-
monies at the grave were under the
direction of the Masonic order of
which order he was one of the hearti
est supporters, under their beautiful
and impressive ceremonies he was
laid to rest full of aye like shock of
corn in its season. The children
present at the funeral were Mr.. Claude
Gills and Mrs, Houk, of Pennsyl-
vania, Henry Whiting and husband
Of Cedar Rapids, r. 5. Gillis, of our
city, and his granddaughter. Mrs. Ira
Jainison and husband, of Wappelo,
Iowa