Macoupin County
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Biography - CHARLEY GILLMAN

Charley Gillman, whose demise occurred in Carlinville on the 17th of April, 1903, was successfully engaged in business as a dry goods merchant throughout his active career. His birth occurred in Germany on the 5th of May, 1843, W s parents being Andrew and Mary Elsie Gillman, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was a shepherd in Germany, emigrated to the United States about 1849, locating five miles north of Carlinville, where he engaged in farming and also devoted considerable attention to the raising of sheep. The last few years of his life were spent in Carlinville. He passed away when more than sixty years of age and the demise of his wife occurred several years later. Both were Lutherans in religious faith. Unto them were born eight children, as follows: Henrietta, Henry, Christina, Wilhelmina, Frank, Charley and Dina, all of whom grew to maturity and reared families; and a son who died in early life.

Charley Gillman was brought to this country when about six years of age and spent the remainder of his life in Macoupin county. He was reared on his father’s farm and obtained his early education in the district schools, subsequently attending Blackburn University. After putting aside his text-books he embarked in the dry-goods business, with which he was identified until called to his final rest, his store being located on the east side of the square. He was first associated in business with Henry Johnson and later became a partner of Henry Chipeno. In the conduct of his mercantile interests he won a gratifying measure of prosperity, being widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative business men and citizens of the community.

Mr. Gillman was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Mary Hauer, by whom he had five children, three of whom reached mature years. Charley acts as traveling salesman for a shoe house in Houston, Texas, where he makes his home. He wedded Miss Anna Brockmeier and has three sons: Charley, Brock and Francis. Wilhelmina Gillman lives with her stepmother. Louis is employed as a bookkeeper in St. Joseph, Michigan. He wedded Miss Thelia Anderson and has one daughter, Lucile. Mrs. Mary (Hauer) Gillman passed away in December, 1887, and on the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. Gillman was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Breymann, a native of Carlinville and a daughter of William and Louise (Lindemann) Breymann, who were born in Germany and took up their abode among the early settlers of Carlinville, Illinois. William Breymann, who was a carpenter by trade, there passed away when more than forty years of age. His wife, who survived him, was called to her final rest on the 5th of April, 1911, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their children were six in number, namely: William, Augusta, Frederick, Carolina, Emma and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Gillman had four children: Marie, who gave her hand in marriage to Richard Dunn, of Carlinville; and Flora, Lieda and Lambert, all at home.

In politics Mr. Gillman was a democrat. He acted as mayor of Carlinville for one term and for several terms served as a member of the school board. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1903, one month prior to his sixtieth birthday. Mrs. Gillman, who resides at No. 706 E. Main street in Carlinville, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which her entire life has been spent.


Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 484-487.


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