4 Bio's of James Lyle Gillis (1792/NY-1881/IA)
Four biographies of James Lyle Gillis, born 2 Oct 1792 in Hebron, Washington Co, NY to Robert and Sarah (Stewart) Gillis, and died 8 Jul 1881 in Mount Pleasant, Henry Co, IA.
First wife:Mary Brockden Ridgway, born ca. 1795 in Philadelphia; died 29 Jun 1826 in Victor, Ontario Co, NY.
Second wife:Cecilia Ann Berray, born 1 Feb 1806 in Walton, Delaware Co, NY to Seth and Anna (Goodrich) Berray; died 25 Apr 1855 in Ridgway, Elk Co, PA.
Biography from the "Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa," (Chicago:Acme Publishing Company, 1888), pp 202-205.
Judge James L. Gillis, who died in Mt. Pleasant July 8, 1881, was, during his residence in that city, one of the most prominent figures in its business and social life.He was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N.Y., Oct. 2, 1792.When eighteen years of age he went to Ontario County, in the same State, and two years later, in 1812, enlisted in the volunteer service in the war with Great Britain, and was commissioned as Lieutenant of Cavalry.He participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, and among others was engaged at the battles of Ft. George, Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, under Gen. Winfield Scott, and in the latter engagement was severely wounded.He was taken prisoner near Ft. Erie, Aug. 7, 1814, and was confined in jail at Toronto, Kingston, Prescott and Montreal, in Canada.Making his condition known to the Governor General of the colony, that official released him, and gave orders that he should be well cared for, and near the close of the war he was exchanged at Quebec.Returning to New York he was, in 1816, united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Ridgway, of Philadelphia, and in 1821 removed to Jefferson County, Pa., then on the frontier.Here he got a tract of timber land many miles away from any neighbor, and set about clearing his land and building a sawmill and a gristmill on the Clarion River. In two years he had 200 acres of land cleared and both his mills running, his being the first lumber rafted down that river.This energy and enterprise was ever a distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Gillis.In 1825 his wife was in ill-health, and he took her to his old home in Ontario County, N. Y., for medical treatment, but her health was undermined, and she died at Victor, N. Y., June 29, 1826, leaving two sons and one daughter.The daughter, Jeannette C, is the widow of J. V. Houk, and is living at Ridgway, Pa.The sons, Ridgway B. and Charles B., both died in Mt. Pleasant.It was while Mr. Gillis was in New York, after his wife's death, that the celebrated Morgan abduction case took place, with which he became identified, and of which more will be said hereafter.
Returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Gillis continued his lumber manufacturing interests until 1862, and became a leader in that part of the State.In 1828 he was married to Cecelia Berry, of New York State, who died in April, 1855, leaving seven children, as follows: Mary B., wife of Samuel Porter, residing in Chautauqua County, N. Y.; Augusta E., wife of .lames V. Noxon, of Volusia, N. Y.; James H., a Commodore in the United States Navy, now temporarily residing in Binghamton, N. Y.; Bosanquet W., in Washington, D.C; Claudius V., in Kane, McKean Co., Pa.; Cecelia, wife of Henry Whiting, now in Melbourne. Fla.: and Robert S., of Mt. Pleasant.One of the sons, James H., made a brilliant record in the navy during the war of the Rebellion.He was commander of the iron clad, "Milwaukee," which was blown up by a rebel torpedo at the siege of Mobile.Being among those saved, he continued in active service there, commanding a battery until the surrender of the city, and handled it in such an able manner as to be highly complimented by Gen. Canby in general orders.At the close of the war he was placed in command of a vessel at Norfolk, Va.
While in Pennsylvania, Mr. Gillis was appointed, by Gov. David R. Porter, Associate Judge of Elk and Jefferson Counties.He was three times chosen Representative in the State Legislature, and three times was elected to the State Senate.In 1856 he was elected to Congress, serving two years.A man of marked ability, he made an honorable record in every position to which he was called, and was a friend of such men as Gen. Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Silas Wright, John C. Calhoun, and other leaders.During President Buchanan's administration he was appointed Indian Agent at the Pawnee Reservation, discharging the duties of that position for three years.In 1862 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he resided until his death.
The Morgan abduction was an unpleasant episode in Judge Gillis' life.For a supposed connection with that affair he was twice arrested and tried, but was finally acquitted.His was the last trial, and he was the last survivor of those accused of complicity in that mystery, which can now never be solved in this world.When the indictment was first found against Mr. Gillis he was attending to his business in Pennsylvania, and knew nothing of it for some time.But when he learned of it, through the slow and infrequent mails of that day and region, he at once set out for New York and demanded a trial.He was jointly indicted with John Whitney, one of the men who took Morgan from the jail at Batavia.The latter had not been found, and the District Attorney refused to give Mr. Gillis a separate trial, but agreed to notify him when he was wanted, and he therefore returned to Pennsylvania.In May, 1829, the joint trial was had in the absence of Mr. Gillis, and Whitney was found guilty, but the jury disagreed as to Mr. Gillis.The rabid anti-Masonic feeling of the times, however, had to be pandered to, and the Sheriff was sent to re-arrest Mr. Gillis at his Pennsylvania home, over 200 miles distant through a wild and mountainous country.He returned to New York, procured a trial in November, 1830, and was honorably acquitted, and with that the celebrated Morgan trials were ended.
Judge Gillis was a life-long Democrat, and had lived under the administration of every President from Washington (during whose second term he was born) to the time of his death.His first Presidential vote was cast for James Monroe; his last for Gen. Hancock.During the visit of Kossuth to this country, he was Chairman of the committee appointed to escort the distinguished Hungarian patriot from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.After taking up his residence in Mt. Pleasant, Judge Gillis became one of the noted men of the young city.Of a lofty and stately carriage, his dignified form was noticeable whenever he appeared upon the streets.His stirring and eventful life had made him familiar with all classes of society, and his urbanity endeared him alike to all.He took an especially warm interest in educational matters, and was earnest in his support of all measures tending to the advancement of the city.He was a liberal patron of the Ladies' Library, to which he made many valuable donations.His advanced years did not impair his faculties or dull his interest in the society of his neighbors or friends, whom he liked to have around him, and his death, although he had reached the ripe age of nearly eighty-nine, was mourned by a large circle of friends.After religious services at the house, his remains were taken in charge by the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been an honored member for nearly seventy years, and interred with impressive ceremonies, and a life full of stirring and eventful experiences, and rounded out with more honors than fall to the lot of most men, was brought to a fitting close.
Biography from "History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, and Forest, Pennsylvania," (Chicago:J. H. Beers & Co., 1890), pp 726-727.
James L. Gillis was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., in 1792.The educational advantages were meager then as compared to the present day. and the common school was all that he was privileged to enjoy, and that only for three months in the year.In 1808 his parents moved to Argyle. N. Y., and there he served an apprenticeship of three years at the tanner's trade.Immediately after the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, he enlisted in the mounted dragoons, commanded by Capt. C. V. Boughton.This was an independent company, which served as escort to Gen. Hull, who was afterward superseded by Gen. Van Rensselaer.When the regiment went into winter quarters, he again enlisted, this time in the regiment commanded by Col. Stone, and during this year was at Fort George with Gen. McClure.After the abandonment of this fort, and before the burning of Newark, Canada, Mr. Gillis was taken sick and was sent to Batavia, N. Y.In the meantime Buffalo, Lewiston, Youngstown, Black Rock and Manchester were captured and burned, and in the winter of 1813-14 the company of Capt. Boughton was paid off and discharged.In the spring of 1814 Mr. Gillis again enlisted for one year, and during the following summer participated in the battles at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.At the last-named battle his horse was shot from under him and he was wounded.August 7, 1814. he had charge of sixteen men, who were sent on a foraging expedition, but they were surprised, four men being killed and nine, including Mr. Gillis. captured and confined at Toronto, Kingston, Prescott and Montreal.November 14, 1814, he, with twenty-five others, was put on board the transport boat "Stately," which was about to sail for England, but Mr. Gillis and live others escaped in a boat, landing near the city of Quebec.After wandering in the woods three days, they came upon the cabin of a Frenchman, who agreed to conduct them to a place of safety.He put them into a darkened room. and went to the reconnoitre, returning after considerable time, and when the door was opened, they found the house surrounded by British soldiers.They were taken to Halifax and there kept until the spring of 1815, when the treaty of peace was signed.After the war Mr. Gillis lived at Victor. N.Y. for some time, and then worked with his brothers, Enos and Samuel, at tanning and shoemaking.In 1822 he moved to Elk (then in Jefferson) county and located sixteen miles from any neighbor and seventy from any post office.He cleared up what is now the Montmorenci farm, and built a saw and grist-mill, and became the first extensive lumber manufacturer in this region.He was appointed associate judge of Jefferson and Franklin counties, and held the office two terms.In 1840 he was elected to the Pennsylvania legislature, and served three years in the house and three years in the senate.In 1856 he was elected a member of congress from his district.He was an intimate friend of James Buchanan, and was a delegate to the convention that nominated him for the presidency.He was appointed Indian agent for the Pawnees in 1859, which was the last office he held.In 1862 he went to Iowa and lived with his son until the tragic death of the latter, and finally came to his death at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in July, 1881.The long and notable career of James L. Gillis is an example to young men of to-day.He was a foremost actor in the stirring scenes of life, and was one of the pioneers of the now thriving county of Elk. He was married, in 1816, to Mary Ridgway, of Philadelphia, who died in 1826, leaving three children: Ridgway B., Charles B., and Jeannette C. (now Mrs. Houk).In 1828 he married Miss Berry, of New York, who died in 1855, leaving seven children: B. W., a journalist of Richmond, Va. ; Claudius V., of Kane, Penn. ; James H., commodore, U. S. N. ; Robert S., of Iowa; Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Noxonand Mrs. Whiting.Mr. Gillis' father, Robert Gillis, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1740, three days after the landing of his Scotch parents.He spent his young manhood as a sailor on coasting vessels running from Boston to New Orleans and other American seaports.He married Jerusha Clark, of New Hampshire, and they reared a family of five children, all of whom passed the age of four score, and one son, John, lived to be ninety-three years old.The first wife died, and Robert then married Sarah Stewart, by whom there were six children: Enos, who died aged sixty-seven; Samuel, aged eighty four: James L. , aged eighty-nine; Thomas, born June 10, 1794, is still living; Elizabeth, wife of Elisha Ingersoll, died aged fifty-five years, and Hugh.
Biography from John Woolf Jordan, ed., "Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania," (NY:Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Vol I, pp 220-223.
[Errors in the following biography are corrected within brackets.James Lyle Gillis’ second wife was Cecilia Ann Berray, daughter of Seth Berray and Anna Goodrich of Walton, Delaware Co, NY.Seth Berray moved with his family after the 1820 census to Victor, Ontario Co, NY; in 1836 he moved with his son Henry to Randolph, Cattaraugus Co, NY, where he died in 1847.]
The ancestors of the present family were members of the Gillis clan, who moved from Scotland to the north of Ireland at the time of the persecutions.
(I) Robert Gillis, the first member of this family about whom we have definite information, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1740, three days after the landing of his parents, and died at Hebron, Washington county, New York, in 1836.His young manhood was spent as a sailor on coasting vessels running between Boston and New Orleans and other American ports.He married (first) Jerusha Clark, of New Hampshire, (second) Sarah Stewart.Of the five children by the first wife all lived to at least eighty years of age, and one, John, died at the age of ninety-three.Children of second wife:1. Enos, died at Ridgway, Elk county, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-seven; a tanner.2. Samuel, died at Wasseon, Ohio, aged eighty- four; a tanner. 3. James Lyle, of whom further.4. Thomas, born June 10, 1794, died at Warren, Warren county, Pennsylvania; a tailor ; married, had at least one child.5. Elizabeth, died at the age of fifty-five; married Elisha Ingersoll. 6. Hugh, deceased.
(II) James Lyle, son of Robert and Sarah (Stewart) Gillis, was born at Hebron, October 2. 1792, died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, July 8, 1881.He received a good education, attending the common school three months in the year.Although his educational opportunities were meager compared to those offered in our time, he made the most of them.In 1808 his parents went to Argyle, New York, and here he served an apprenticeship of three years at the tanner's trade.In 1812, immediately after the declaration of war between Great Britain and the United States of America, he enlisted in the mounted dragoons, commanded by Captain C. V. Boughton.This was an independent company, and served as the escort of General Hull.When the regiment went into winter quarters, James Lyle Gillis enlisted again, this time under the command of Colonel Stone.During the year he was at Fort George with General McClure; after the abandonment of this fort he was sick and was sent to Batavia, New York.In the meanwhile Buffalo, Lewiston, Youngstown, Black Rock, and Manchester were captured and burned, and in the winter of 1813-14 Captain Boughton's company was discharged.In the following spring Mr. Gillis again enlisted for one year, and he was in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.He was wounded at Lundy's Lane and his horse was shot from under him.On the seventh of August he was in charge of sixteen men sent on a foraging expedition; they were surprised and four were killed; nine, including Mr. Gillis, were captured, and they were confined at Toronto, Kingston, Prescott and Montreal.Mr. Gillis with twenty-five others was put on board the transport "Stately," November 14, 1814, which was about to sail for England, but he and five others escaped in a boat and landed near Quebec.After wandering in the woods three days they met a Frenchman, who agreed to conduct them to a place of safety, but they were again taken by the British and kept at Halifax until peace was made in the spring of 1815.For some time after the war Mr. Gillis lived at Victor, New York, and worked with his brothers, Enos and Samuel, at tanning.In 1822 he came to Jefferson, now in Elk county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the wilderness, seventy miles from the nearest post office, and with no neighbor nearer than sixteen miles.Here he cleared what is now the Montmorenci farm, and built a saw mill and grist mill three miles west of Montmorenci.He was the first to manufacture lumber on a large scale in this district.
In the new- community he became a leader.Being appointed associate judge of Jefferson and Franklin counties, he held this office for two terms.In 1840 he was first elected to the state legislature, in which he served three terms in the house and three terms in the senate.Then in 1856 he was elected to membership in the United States house of representatives.In the same year he was a delegate to the convention which nominated James Buchanan for president of the United States; President Buchanan and James Lyle Gillis were intimate friends.The last office which he held was that of agent for the Pawnee Indians, to which he was appointed in 1859.Three years later he went to Iowa and there lived with his son, Charles B. Gillis, until the latter's death.James Lyle Gillis was thus a leading figure in the affairs of his time and in the pioneer activities of Elk county.He was a Democrat.He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his second wife was a member.
He married (first) in 1816, Mary Ridgway, of Philadelphia, who died in 1826, (second) Cecilia Ann, born in Walton, Cattaraugus [Delaware] county. New York, 1806), died at Ridgway, Elk county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1855, daughter of Henry [Seth] Berray, who was a farmer in [Delaware, Ontario] Cattaraugus county. New York, died there when over eighty years old.Children of first wife:1. Ridgway B., born at Victor, New York, February 15, 1818, died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; he was with his father in the lumbering business; moved to Mount Pleasant in 1848; the next year he went to California as a prospector; returned to Mount Pleasant and lived on his farm; he was accidentally shot; married Margaret Bain [McBain], from Elk county, deceased; children: James R., Mary, Hudson B., Wade, Andrew Jackson, Charles.2. Jeannette Caroline, born at Victor, May 2, 1820, died at Ridgway, February 22, 1892; married Jacob V. Houk, from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, deceased; he was a lumberman and merchant; child. Son, died young.3. Charles B., born at Victor, April i, 1823, died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, February 23, 1881; he was a farmer at Mount Pleasant, and was murdered by a tramp, as he was standing in his own doorway:the murderer confessed in 1911, explaining that he mistook Mr. Gillis for the marshal; he married Emma J. Howard, from McKean county, Pennsylvania; child, Emma, died young.
Children of second wife:4. Mary B., born at Montmorenci, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1829, died at Brockton, New York, February 8, 1895; married Samuel Porter, from Chautauqua county. New York, deceased: he was a carpenter; children:Anna, James, Augustus, Claude, another daughter.5. James H., born at Montmorenci, May 14, 1831, died at Melbourne Beach, Florida; a commodore of the United States navy; married (first) Lydia Alexander, (second) Ursula Z. Canfield; she is living, and resides in Syracuse, New York, in the summer and at Melbourne Beach in the winter; children, all by first wife: Harry A., graduate of Annapolis; Lyle; Irwin, a commander in the navy; Carrie.6. Bosanquet W., born at Ridgway, August 8, 1835; resides in Brooklyn, New York, and is a proof reader for the New York Times: married Martha Radcliffe, deceased; children : Frank, Martha, Cecilia, Roberta, Arnold.7. Emma Augusta, born at Ridgway, March 7, 1837:resides at Portland, New York; married James Noxon, from Chautauqua county. New York, deceased; he was a farmer; children :Mary, Seaborn, Sophia, Cecilia.8. Robert S., born at Ridgway, May i, 1840, died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, September 13, 1907; president of a bank and had a large farm; married Sophia Whiting, from Mount Pleasant, and now living there; children:James, Sarah, Henry, Hugh, Ansel.9. Claudius Victor Boughton Goodrich, of whom further.10. Cecilia A., born at Ridgway, April 3, 1844 ; married Henry Whiting; he is a retired mechanical engineer; a few years ago he became blind; they spend the winters in Florida; no children.
(Ill) Claudius Victor Boughton Goodrich, son of James Lyle and Cecilia Ann (Berray) Gillis, was born at Ridgway, September 14, 1841.Having attended public school at Ridgway, he was afterward graduated from White Hall Academy, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, with the class of 1859.Immediately after leaving school in that year, he took charge of building the Pittsburgh & Erie railroad, from Sunbury to Erie.He then went out among the Pawnee Indians, one hundred and twenty miles west of Omaha, on the Loup fork of the river Platte; here he spent the summer of 1861 with his father, who was then Indian agent at this place.On June 21, 1861, he witnessed a victory in battle of the Pawnees over the Sioux; about two thousand were engaged.In the fall of 1861 he was clerk in a store in Omaha, and he remained until the following year, when he went to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and in the autumn of 1862 he returned to Ridgway.Then he became captain's clerk on the United States gunboat, "Commodore Morris," and was at Norfolk, Virginia, until May 3, 1864, or cruising on the James river.Then he went to Alexandria, Virginia, as clerk for Toe Styles, a government scout.Sickness necessitated his return to his home in Elk county, Pennsylvania, and he entered mercantile business.He served one term as county treasurer in Elk county, and one term as deputy county treasurer.January 18, 1876, he came to Kane, McKean county, Pennsylvania, and here he has lived from that time, being for many years engaged in the drug business.He has acquired extensive interests in oil leases; was a stockholder in and director of the Temple Theater Company until July 16, 1912, when he sold this interest.He is still a stockholder and director in the Kane Bank and Trust Company and was stockholder and director in the White Rock Land Company.
In Masonry he has reached the thirty-second degree, being a member of Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.His other Masonic bodies are: Kane Lodge, No. 566, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master by service; Elk Lodge, No. 379, of which he was secretary and past master by service; Kane Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; also Elk Chapter, of which he is past high priest; Bradford Council; Orient Council, No. 40, he having one term been illustrious grand master; Knapp Commandery. No. 40, Knights Templar, at Ridgway, of which he is past eminent commander; Trinity Commandery, No. 58, at Bradford; Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Pittsburgh; and he has been district deputy high priest.He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Kane; the Grand Army of the Republic, Charles J. Biddle Post, No. 229, at Kane, and the Kane Country Club.He is a Democrat.Beside the political offices already mentioned, which he held in Elk county, he has for three years been school director in Wetmore township, McKean county, and he has now for twenty-five years, been a justice of the peace of the borough of Kane, having been elected to this office the first Monday in May, 1887.
Mr. Gillis married, December 30, 1864, Anna D., daughter of Abram and Lucy A. H. Overholtzer; she was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1838, died at Kane, July 24, 1897.She was a college graduate, and for a number of years before her marriage she taught school in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.She was a member of the Eastern Star.Her church was the Baptist.Abram Overholtzer was born in Chester county. Pennsylvania, September 9, 1812, died at Whitehall, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1883.His wife, a native of Lancaster county, died at Kane, aged eighty-three.Children of Abram and Lucy A. H. Overholtzer, all born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania:1.
Henry F., born August 17, 1836: tailor: resides at Seguin, Texas: married Eunice Benson, from Elk county, Pennsylvania; children: Dora, Daisy.2. Anna D., married Claudius V. B. G. Gillis.3. Louisa E., born August 12, 1841; married Isaac Wolf, from Cumberland county; they reside in that county on a farm; no children.4. Regina D., born February 9, 1844: resides in Philadelphia: married Ezra P. Dickenson, deceased; he was a contractor; child, Blanche I.5. Clementine, born August 18, 1847, died December 24, 1849.6. George W., born August 24, 1850, died at Kane, December 27, 1885; unmarried.Children of Mr. and Mrs. Gillis:1. James H., born at Ridgway, March 11, 1866; druggist; resides at Kane; married Jennie O'Day, from Kane; children, all born at Kane:Marian, born June 27, 1890; Lucille, born in October, 1891, deceased; Leonora, born August 17, 1894; Marguerite, born August 17, 1894; Francis, born June 4, 1896.2. Claudius B., born at Ridgway, December 30, 1868; graduate of Lock Haven Normal School, class of 1889; a general insurance agent at Kane; married Lillian E. Warner; no children.3. Anna C, born at Kane, October 20. 1877; graduate of Kane high school, class of 1896; resides with her father; unmarried.
Biography from "A Sesquicentennial History of Ridgway, Pennsylvania, 1824-1974."
James Lyle Gillis
Gillis Avenue runs South off West Main Street just a block west of the Clarion River.Today the street sign is the only tangible evidence that James Lyle Gillis still lives in the memory of the town he founded way back in the early 1800s.How this stalwart pioneer made his way through the thick forests and stayed to leave behind him a thriving village, the County Seat of Elk County, is a story worthy of the attention of every inhabitant of our town.
George Washington was serving his first term as President of the United States when James Gillis was born in Hebron, Washington County, New York, on October 7, 1792.Shortly before the outbreak of our second war with England the Gillis family moved to Argyle in Ontario County.There, at age 20, young Gillis enlisted in the New York Volunteers.During the War of 1812, he took part in several battles including Lundy’s Lane where, unfortunately, he fell into the hands of the enemy.On board a transport ship bound for England young Gillis with four companions escaped in a boat and landed near the city of Quebec.After wandering about in the woods for three days the little party came upon a Frenchman who agreed to help them.He took them to a secluded cabin, put them in a darkened room, and left. When he returned he led them to an open door where they found the cabin surrounded by British soldiers.Their captors carried them off to Halifax, and imprisoned them until the end of the war.
Shortly after the customary prisoner exchange, James married Mary Ridgway, of Philadelphia.Mary’s uncle, Jacob Ridgway, owned large tracts of unexplored land in western Pennsylvania.One day he offered his nephew-in-law the position of land agent which carried with it the duty of exploring the territory and evaluating its suitability for farming purposes.
In 1822, James and Mary, with their three children, Charles B., Jeannette Caroline, and Ridgway B., made their way by horse drawn sleds from New York to Elk County, then a part of Jefferson County.Traveling with the little family were Enos, a brother of James, and Reuben Aylesworth, a friend of the family.They rode through the forest for two days, camping out at night.They stopped six miles north of the present Ridgway, at a spot Gillis named Montmorenci.In the dead of winter, December, 1822, they managed somehow to provide themselves with food and shelter sixteen miles from the nearest neighbor and fifty miles from a post office.
There James Gillis cleared 500 acres of land, built a large frame house, a grist mill, and a carding machine.His sponsor, Jacob Ridgway, a Philadelphia Quaker and one of the wealthiest men in the state at that time, apparently provided his agent with ample funds for his enterprises.Periodically the men set out for Olean, a port on the Allegheny, to bring home such provisions as could not be supplied by the wilderness farm.
Quite suddenly one afternoon a stranger emerged from the forest breaking the monotony of the farm chores and the mill work. “I am the Deputy Sheriff of Ontario County, New York,” announced the stranger. “James Gillis, you are accused of the abduction and alleged murder of one William Morgan, late of Batavia, New York, an exposer of the secrets of masonry.”
With the stranger was the Deputy Sheriff of Indiana, Pennsylvania, the nearest seat of justice.Since the day was far spent, and the nearest neighbor sixteen miles away, the Gillis family provided the deputies with food and kept them overnight.The next morning the party set out on horseback for the 100 mile journey to Indiana.Much of the bridle path skirted the banks of the Clarion and the Red Bank where heavy rains had caused the waters to rise very high, delaying their journey for three days.
Down in Indiana the people awaiting the return of the deputies became extremely apprehensive. “A man who murders once will not hesitate to repeat his crime,” they reasoned, “both officers are probably lying dead in the forest while the elusive Gillis has escaped.”
But the fears of the people awaiting the party were groundless.The delayed threesome arrived unscathed. The Sheriff, a Mason, took charge of Mr. Gillis who was treated very well indeed.However, the writ of habeas corpus, issued by Judge Young, was refused. Mr. Gillis was ordered to stand trial in Canandaigua, New York.
Accompanied by the Deputy Sheriff of Ontario County, Mr. Gillis traveled via Franklin, Erie, and Buffalo to reach Canandaigua.Although the deputy legally held Gillis in custody he found himself sometimes taking orders from his prisoner who refused to be handcuffed and who refused also to ride in the same stagecoach as his captor.Relying upon the word of his prisoner the deputy proceeded calmly on his way to Canandaigua.There Gillis was released on bail.Returning to his Montmorenci home Mr. Gillis gave his attention to his farm until summoned to stand trial.After his acquittal “The Craftsman,” a Masonic magazine, published a full report of the trial.
Henry Souther, a staunch friend of Gillis, and the manager of 6,000 acres of land (owned by his father) near the spot where Mill Creek empties into the Clarion River, wrote years later that he had urged Gillis to write all he knew about the Morgan affair, and leave it sealed until after his death.Mr. Gillis refused.He explained, “I have no knowledge whatsoever as to what became of Morgan. Probably he was taken into Canada and put on board a British Man of War.He could easily been taken to a foreign country and kept in seclusion until he died a natural death.I have never believed he was murdered.At any rate I can leave nothing behind me which will throw any light on the subject.”
With the Morgan matter behind him Gillis was free to devote his time and energies to his farm and to engage in civic duties.He was instrumental in securing a mail route from Kittanning to Olean.This gave him mail service every other week.
When it became apparent that the Montmorenci section was not actually suited to profitable farming, for the soil lacked richness and the growing season was brief, the Gillis family turned their attention to the valley six miles below where the Clarion River and Gallagher Run could provide water power for the promising lumber industry.In 1824 the little town came into being and James Gillis established a home for his family not far from the river.
Mary Ridgway Gillis died in 1826.Three years later James married Cecelia A. Berray who bore him seven children.Little is known of the schooling of the ten Gillis children, but it is probable that they learned much from their father who was an avid reader. His library contained the works of Shakespeare and Scott as well as the writings of many statesmen and politicians of our country.History says Gillis is probably the only man who ever read the entire set of public literature published by the Legislature of Pennsylvania and known as the “Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives,” some twenty-five or thirty volumes.
When Elk County was formed Mr. Gillis became one of its associate Judges.He served three years in the State Legislature and one year in the Senate.Although he later won a seat in Congress he ruined what might have been a promising political career by voting in favor of the famous Kansas-Nebraska Bill.For several years he served as agent for the Pawnee Indians in which capacity he became their faithful friend and protector.He adopted from the Tribe a little orphaned five year old girl who lived in the Gillis home thereafter.
The Civil War had been in progress about a year when James Gillis decided to leave the town he had founded to make his home with his son Charles in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.He had lived to see his town become the County Seat of Elk County.For several years after his departure he made annual visits to Ridgway.On one of these visits he celebrated his 88th birthday by making a fervent speech in favor of the Democratic ticket.
Friends of the patriarch described him as always slow and methodical in his habits, and fond of games such as checkers and chess.He carried with him a snuff box in which was imbedded a Tonka bean which gave a distinctive aroma to the tobacco.He walked with a gold-headed cane and in winter he strode about town in a panther-skin coat.One friend of long standing said of Ridgway’s founder, “He was a man of sterling and inflexible integrity, kind, affectionate and companionable.His fund of information and anecdotes was very comprehensive.”
At the age of eighty-nine James Lyle Gillis died in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where his body lies buried far from the town he founded on the banks of the Clarion.
Research has unearthed a few interesting facts concerning some of the ten Gillis children.Jeannette Caroline, the little girl who traveled with her family through the forests to Montmorenci, grew up in Ridgway and married Jacob V. Houk, who, with his father and Jeannette’s brother Charles, built a section of the new Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.In 1871 Mr. Houk became an Associate Judge of Elk County. Jeannette Houk became known as the benefactress of Methodism in the area.Both Jacob and Jeannette are buried in Ridgway’s Pine Grove Cemetery as is Cecelia Gillis, the second wife of James Lyle Gillis.
James Gillis, Junior, joined the U. S. Navy and served in the Civil War.While he was a Midshipman the vessel to which he was attached was in a South American port where he and his crew saved the lives of the passengers of a Chilian ship that was going to pieces in a storm two miles from shore.The act was recognized by the Chilian government with fitting ceremonies.
Although none of the direct descendants of James Lyle Gillis is residing in Ridgway as the town approaches the one hundred fiftieth birthday, Lyle Hall, who is the great, great grandson of Enos Gillis maintains a residence there.Enos was the brother who accompanied the James Gillis family on their pioneer journey from New York to the area.Enos became the owner of Ridgway’s first tannery which was established in 1830.
Aside from the names on the gravestones in Pine Grove Cemetery only little Gillis Avenue is doing its best to immortalize the name of Ridgway’s founding father.
(Excerpt from the narration on Jacob Ridgway about James Lyle Gillis)
Mrs. Mary R. Gillis is buried in Victor, New York.The ultimate selection of Mr. Gillis as an agent by Jacob Ridgway proved to be a wise choice, for James L. Gillis handled the selling of the land in what is now Elk County.
In 1820, Messrs. Ridgway and Gillis traveled over the County of Elk on horseback, for the purpose of finding a suitable place to lay the foundations of a town.Mr. and Mrs. James L. Gillis and their three children reached Montmorenci December 21, 1821.It is not known whether they came by pack horse and ox-cart or by sled.Gillis and the men who came with him had to cut their way through the dense forest.They decided the Montmorenci area was the place to start a settlement.In two years Mr. Gillis succeeded in clearing 400 acres of land.This was followed by the erection of a few houses, a mill, a grist mill, and the installation of a carding machine on Big Mill Creek three or so miles from the farm.
Jacob Ridgway made numerous visits to Montmorenci and authorized the construction of a fine residence there.Workmen were imported from Philadelphia to construct the dwelling, the finest for miles around.Many happy times were spent there by the Ridgway and Gillis families.Today nothing remains but the weed covered site of a foundation.
Mr. Ridgway and Mr. Gillis decided to concentrate their efforts on the budding town in Ridgway Settlement instead of the original plot at Montmorenci.James L. Gillis had already moved to Ridgway sometime in the 1830s, and built a home and store at the present site of 143 West Main Street.However, for some years he continued to run the farm. Joseph W. Taylor had cut down the first tree on the present Courthouse Square in 1822.In a survey made in 1833, Jacob Ridgway laid out the basis for the town plan.Streets, alleys, and lots were arranged in an orderly manner.It had been suggested that Mr. Ridgway had patterned the layout of Ridgway after his native Philadelphia.James Gillis named the town in honor of Jacob Ridgway.