James Riley Gillick (1877 - 1967)

Born 4 Apr 1877 in Green Ridge, Pettis, Missouri, United States

Husband of Pearl Mae (Whan) Gillick — married 26 Dec 1911 in Plains, Meade, Kansas, United States

Died 22 Sep 1967 at age 90 in Plains, Meade, Kansas

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Biography

Jim Gillick was a homesteader in Meade County, Kansas. Join the Homesteaders Project.

Except as otherwise footnoted, the following sourced from Plains Kansas 100 Years.^[1]

James was born 4 Apr 1877 in Green Ridge, Missouri the son of Andy Gillick and Hannah Shaffer.^[2][3] In 1885, the Gillicks, along with Jim's aunt and uncle A.J. and Mary Gillick, joined the great westward migration traveling through Kansas City and eventually arriving in Meade County, Kansas. There Jim's father Andy filed a claim 11 miles northeast of Plains on the northeast quarter of section 1-31-30 in the Mertilla community. The family lived in a tent until a soddie measuring 12 x 14 feet was built. The family lived in this small home until a 14 x 28 foot soddie was built two years later. Eventually a frame house was erected.^[4] Later Jim homesteaded the other three quarters of section 1-31-30.^[5][6][7]

Jim married Pearl Mae Whan, daughter of James H and Anna (Rowe) Whan, 26 Dec 1911 at Plains, Kansas. The two had known each other for some years both having attended the Mertilla School. Jim and Pearl had three children, one daughter died at birth, and also raised five nieces and nephews thus becoming known to everyone as Uncle Jim and Aunt Pearl. Later Jim and Pearl adopted two children through the Kansas Children's Services League.

The Gillick's farmed and raised cattle, horses and poultry until retirement in 1945 when they moved to a smaller place one half mile east of Plains. The Gillick's were original members of the Mertilla Grange and Jim was one of those who organized the Plains Equity Exchange in 1913. Jim passed away 22 Sep 1967 at the age of 90 years. He is interred at Graceland Cemetery, Meade, Kansas.^[8]

Children

• Robert Henry - 1912-1921
• Janetta Barbara - 1914-1917
• Infant Daughter
• William Lee - 1928-1936 (adopted)
• Mary Lou - 1933-1988 (adopted)

Nieces and Nephews raised by the Gillick's

• Robert H Whan - d 1982
• James Harold Whan - d 1976
• Howard O Whan (twin)
• Omah H Whan (twin) - d 1978
• Ruth Whan - d 1962

Sources

1. ↑ Knott, Joyce, ed and compiler, Plains Kansas 100 Years -- 1885-1985, privately printed, Plains, Kansas, 1985, p 198-200
2. ↑ World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
3. ↑ US Census, Year: 1880; Census Place: Washington, Pettis, Missouri; Roll: 708; Page: 20C; Enumeration District: 112
4. ↑ Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1895 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: v115_93; Line: 1
5. ↑ US Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Mertilla, Meade, Kansas; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 0156; FHL microfilm: 1240490
6. ↑ US Census, Year: 1910; Census Place: Mertilla, Meade, Kansas; Roll: T624_442; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0110; FHL microfilm: 1374455
7. ↑ US Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Mertilla, Meade, Kansas; Roll: T625_541; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 121
8. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #25114814