Biography of Benjamin A. Gililland (1830- )
History of Lincoln County, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888) page 543.

Benjamin A. GILILLAND is the son of Robert and Annie (MOORE) GILILLAND, both natives of Kentucky, born in 1810 and 1809, respectively. The great-grandfather GILILLAND came from the boggy part of Ireland at an early day, and found a home in Kentucky. The mother’s people were from Virginia, though of English descent. Robert GILILLAND and Miss MOORE were married in Kentucky, where they lived until 1830, when they moved to Lincoln County, Mo. He was a blacksmith and gunsmith by trade, though he also carried on farming. During the Black Hawk War, he enlisted but peace was declared before he reached the scene of action. He was at one time a Whig, but after the dissolution of that party became a Democrat. He was a fine shot with a rifle, although he spent but little time in hunting. He lived to be sixty-six years of age. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as is also his wife, who is still living, and is in her eightieth year. The father was a stirring, energetic man, and although landing in St. Louis with but one dollar, he soon became the owner of 250 acres of land. Of the ten children born to their marriage (seven now living), Benjamin A. was the eldest. He was born in Simpson County, Ky., May 27, 1830 and the same year was brought to Lincoln County. At the age of seventeen he learned to make fanning mills, which occupation he followed for about fourteen years. For a year he was boss of an extensive shop in Cooper County. He then returned home and he and his father put up a shop on Lead Creek. He then turned his attention to farming. In 1884 he opened a store on his farm, which he operated for four years. In 1853 he married Miss Margaret GRIMMETT, who was born in Pike County, Mo., and who died without issue. In 1882 Mr. GILILLAND married Miss Phemia SNETHEN, a native of Montgomery County, Mo., and the daughter of Dr. A. SNETHEN, who preached the first Baptist sermon in Troy. Four children were born to this union, two now living: Maggie E. and Benjamin Alie. In 1872 Mr. GILILLAND was elected justice of the peace, and held that position about fourteen years. He owns about 306 acres of good land, is a Mason, a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Betty Lavy Krieg, 18 Jan 2002.  Link change or update: 10 March 2002

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