GILMORE-James - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

There is no rule for achieving success and yet there are ceratain elements which are indespensible in a prosperous career. These are strong determination, sound practical judgment and a recognition of possibilties. All of these have been manifest in the career of Mr. Gilmore who, though he started out at the early age of 12 to fight life's battle unaided, has come off conqueror in the strife. Today he is numbered among the capitalists of Danville holding important realty interests and at the same time controlling extensive mercantile affairs. The perseverance, energy and strong determination which have been concomitants to his success furnish an example that is well worthy of emulation. Mr. Gilmore is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in Dundass, on the 17th of Aug 1853. His parents, Edward and Bridget Stanton Gilmore were both natives of County Mayor, Ireland and were married in Canada, both having located in that country in 1846. The father engaged in farming, following agricultural pursuits in the Domunion until 1856, when he came to the US locating first at South Bend, Indiana. There he following railroading until 1859, in which year he removed to Kokomo, where he continued in the railroad employ and there lived until 1868. In the meantime in 1866 his wife had passed away. Coming to Danville, Illinois he continued to make his home with the subject of this review until called to his final rest in 1899. He was a Democrat in his polticial affiliations and in his religious faith was a Catholic. In the family were 3 children: James; Mary wife of CF Springer of Kokomo, Indiana and John, who resides at Cates, Fountain Co IN. James Gilmore was only about 3 when his parents came to the US and in Howard County, Indiana he acquired his education. His school life was completed when he was 12 and he then began work on the Wabash & Erie Canal as a driver, being employed in that capacity two summers. He then made his way to Covington, Indiana where he worked on the Big Four RR for a year, after which he turned his attention to the retail liquor business with which he was connected in the Hoosier state until 1871. In that year Mr. Gilmore came to Danville and entered the employ of Matis MILLER who owned a retain liquor house on So. Street and who died the following year. Mr. Gilmore then embarked in business for himself in the same locality, conducting his new enterprise until 1874 when he left the city and went to Coal Creek, Fountain County, Indiana where the coal veins were being developed. For a few months he engaged in digging coal and in the same year he came once more to Danville. In October of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Mary McLEAN who was born in Danville in 1857, daughter of Patrick and Mary Sculen McLean, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle and came to America at an early day, locating in Lafayette, Indiana. In the early 50s they became residents of Danville and the father carried on agricultural pursuits. The wife died in 1860, but he long survived her, passing away in 1884. In his political views he was a Democrat and was a life communicant of the Catholic Church. In his famnily were six children: Ellen, wife of Frank Cavanaugh, deceased; Anna wife of Chalres Davis of Washington; Ruth, the wife Michael O'Bern of Champaign, Ill; Bridge wife of MJ Wiseman of Danville; George who resides in Danville and Mrs. Gilmore. Unto the marriage of our subject and wife 7 children: Ellen, now wife of Wm. McDonald, this city; Edward who is acting as his father's bookkeeper; William pursuing a law course in Georgetown Univ of Washington DC; John, a pharmacist of Danville; Grover; Emmet and Cecil, all with their parents. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore began their domestic life in Coal Creek, Indiana where he was engaged in mining coal. In 1875, however he once more took up his abode in this city and was engaged in retail liquor in connection with his brother-in-law, Frank Cavanaugh, a relation that existed for nine months. In 1877 Mr. Gilmore established a retail liquor house in Germantown but once more took up his abode in this city in 1879 and carried on business in the same line in the old St. James Block. In 1885 he erected the first business block on Jackson Street and removed his store to that building. In 1888 he sold out to Neil Olson and opened a wholesale and retain liquor house next door to the courthouse on E. main Street. There he continued until 1892, when he again built on Jackson Street and engaged in the wholesale liquor business until 1901 when he sold out to EJ Epstein. on the 1st of September 1901 he embarked in his present business under the firm name of the Merchandise Co at No. 425 E. Main. Here he handles billard tables, office and bar furniture, safes, cash registered and desks, and has already secured a good patronage, receiving the support of many who had previously known him in business relations and who recognized his right to a liberal share of the public support. Mr. Gilmore also owns a farm of 160 acres in Fountain County Indiana and 160 acres in Parke County, Indiana. This is underlaid by rich deposits of coal and is therefore very valuable. He also owns lead and zinc mining interests in Pittsburg, Hickory county, Missouri and his real estate holdings in Danville are valuable. A local paper said, "James Gilmore, who recently purchased the ground at the corner of Van Buren St and Washington Ave upon which at no distant date he intends erecting a hotel, has a marked preference for corner lots. In fact, all of the property he owns in the city is of that character. He owns 66' at the corner of Main & Jackson; 86' at the corner of Van Buren & Washington; 120' at the corner of Scott & College Streets, 88' at the corner of Main & McDonald and residence property at the corner of Vermilion & Davis. He has more coner lot property in the business ection of this city than any other individual. It will thus be seen that Mr. Gilmore has made very extensive and judicious investments in property and his realty holdings reutrn to him an excellent income. A Democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Gilmore believes firmly in the principles of the party but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to St. Patrick's Catholic Church and is a liberal contributor to its support. He has also cooperated in many measures for the general good and Danville has benefited b y his efforts in her behalf. His business affairs have ever been capably conducted. Probably the real secret of his success is his untiring industry and his recognition of business openings. From the age of 12 down to the present time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources and steadily has he worked his way upward until he now occupies an enviable and prominent position on the plane of affluence. He is a man of strong force of character, and is reliable and enterprising, and throughout Danville, James Gilmore is widely known and highly respected.