GILLUM-John - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John Gillum, who was a patriotic soldier during the late war, and fought nobly in defense of the Union until disabled while in the heat of the battle, is today a highly respected farmer of Mill Creek Township, Fountain County. He is a son of Osborn Gillum, a worthy farmer of this section, who came here in pioneer times, and the farm that he reclaimed fromt he wilderness, on which he is spending his declining years, is the scene of the birth of our subject which occurred May 29, 1842. Osborn Gillum was born in Chatham Co, NC July 21, 1817. When he was a boy he came from his native state of Indiana and lived in Orange Co. for a few years. At the age of 23 he made his way to this county and for more than half a century has been numbered among the useful and estimable citizens who have been instrumental in the development of its agricultural resources. He settled in what is now MIll Creek Twp and by downright hard labor has cleared and improved a goodly farm of 120 acres, where he has made a pleasant, comfortable home. For many years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and has held various official positions in this lodge. Mr. Gillum was married after coming to this county to Miss Emmeline, daughter of George Sowers, who was born in NC and came from there when 11 years old. Mr. and Mrs. gillum have been blessed with the following children: John; ira, a physician practicing his profession at Milford, Ill; Solomin, who died when a young man; Butler, who is in the hardware business in Parke County; George C, who died at the age of two; Elzabeth Susan Jane, wife of Robert Dix, a farmer of Parke County, Delilah Ellen, wife of Ira Hadley, of Kansas and Charles, a carpenter in Kingman. Our subject was reared in the home of his birth and was educated in theschools of Mill Creek Township. He was engaged in farming with his father when the war broke out and on the 17th of the following Sept. he laid aside his work to go to the front with the brave boys in blue to help preserve the honor of the old flag so dear to every true citizen of this great Republic. Our subject became amember of Co. I, 31st Indiana Infantry and in the trying months that followed displayed sound qualities as a soldier. His military career was brought to an untimely and by his being severly wounded at the battle of Ft. Donelson feb 16, 1862. He was taken to the hospital, where he suffered intensely for a month and 8 days, and then he was discharged from the army on account of disability. Returning home after his trying experience as a soldier, our subject had to devote some of his best years of his life to recovering from his wounds. He was finally able to resume farming, and he then settled on his present farm, having lived with his father until he was 39 years old. His farm is a fine piece of property, comprising 80 acres of well-tilled land, upon which are improvements of a substantial order. Mr. Gillum devotes it principally to raising corn and hogs, from which he derives a comfortable income each year. Dec 29, 1880 is the date of marriage of our subject to Miss Hulda J. duaghter of Henry Parkhurt, who was a prominent farmer of Walnut Township. Mrs. Gillum was born in 1856. Her pleasant wedded life with our subject has brought to them two children whom they have named Melinda E and Leslie D. Mr. Gillum is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and he is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to Harveysburg Lodge No 314 in which he has held all the offices, except that of Worshipful Master. Politically, he is a straight Republican who always works wit his party. He is Justice of the Peace in Mill Creek Twp and fills that position with admirable discretion and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Religiously he is a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a conscietious, upright Christian gentleman.