Ernest Benjamin Gillis Family History

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151 Coline graduated from Balaton High School in 1939.  She went on to Mankato State College from 1939-41 where she received a 2-year teaching degree.  She taught school, grades 1-4 at Evan, MN; grades 1-8 at Burchard, MN; and grades 2-3 at Henderson, MN.

After she and Don moved to Washington State, they established a home in Maltby, Washington, later moving to Longbranch.  In 1956 through 1981 she taught as a substitute teacher in all areas of grade school, including special education - with a teaching career totaling 28 years - she says she "enjoyed every minute of it".

Coline and Don were noted in the family for continually hosting picnics and gatherings at their homes in Washington State, for many many years.  It became an annual tradition during 1968 through 1981 to have a family Labor Day Picnic at their Longbranch home, where sometimes as many as 68-70 relatives and friends would come for the entire weekend - they generously fixed steaks outside on a huge grill.  Often they would make apple cider, the best.  This writer remembers Coline for frequently having huge containers of ice cream in her storage.  These were memorable and fun times for all of the family. 
GILLIS, Marjorie Coline (I4)
 
152 Cornwall, Ontario Garvin, Rev. John (I611)
 
153 Cornwall, Ontario Brown, Ezra Healy Phmb (I615)
 
154 Daniel Mooney was born in Drum Parish, County Monaghan, Ireland. He was Roman Catholic. He eloped with Rebecca Gillis. One child, John, was born in 1818 and sometime around 1820, Daniel was accidently killed. Rebecca's father, Robert, took Rebecca, then a young widow of 19, and her son back into the family home. A few months later a daughter Kate was born. They lived and were brought up in their grandfather's home in Ireland. MOONEY, Daniel (I601)
 
155 Daniel Mooney was born in Drum Parish, County Monaghan, Ireland. He was Roman Catholic. He eloped with Rebecca Gillis. One child, John, was born in 1818 and sometime around 1820, Daniel was accidently killed. Rebecca's father, Robert, took Rebecca, then a young widow of 19, and her son back into the family home. A few months later a daughter Kate was born. They lived and were brought up in their grandfather's home in Ireland. Mooney, Daniel (I601)
 
156 David was divorced. THOMSON, David William Clark (I1273)
 
157 David was divorced. THOMSON, David William Clark (I1273)
 
158 Death record:

Jane by her maiden name Whyte wife of William Robinson of the Township of Inverness, Farmer, died on the sixteenth day of February eighteen hundred & fifty-four age thirty-five years & was buried on the seventeenth day of the same month & year on Lot No 7 on the 6th Range of the above named township BY ME. (couldn't make out the ministers handwriting for his name)
Present: Willilam Robinson, Thomas Dimpsy, Thomas Maxwell 
Whyte, Jane (I989)
 
159 Della May Edwards was born 10/23/1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Edward Edwards and Agnes Jardine Edwards. As a young girl, she followed her older borthers and sisters to school (at a distance) when she was too young to start until the teacher finally agreed to let her stay -- which speaks of her love of reading and finding out about the world which lasted all of her life.
Della married Ernest Benjamin Gillis on 7/16/1914 in a ceremony was performed by Ernest's father William, a Methodist-Episcopal minister, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Della was 18. She loved to play softball and was a "good pitcher and a fast runner".

Ernest was born on July 11, 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont and died on March 13, 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. In the spring of 1911, Ernest had moved south of Amiret to a half-section of land, that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.

In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

In the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State. He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home. In July 1943, Della and their four girls still at home joined him via train. The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

Della and Ernest parented 11 children, 9 girls and 2 boys, all of whom lived to maturity, presenting them with 52 grandchildren and 57 greatgrandchildren at the time of Della's death.

Ernie died in 1976 and Della lived then in the homes of daughters where she was found to be a most gracious and pleasant houseguest, reading books, working crossword puzzles, ever ready to play a game, and writing letters to children and grandchildren scattered from Minnesota to Virginia, from California, Oregon, England, and Florida. Her correspondence eagerly shared by all the local families kept this large family well acquainted with each other.

"Things We Remember About Our Mother"
"Many happy thoughts come to mind about Della - the delicious odors from her kitchen as she plied her trade as a fantastic cook; fresh baked bread, pies, hot dishes of all kinds, all served in the most attractive fashion. Christmas with its special joys; long talks - quiet and supportive; sweing spring dresses, bringing special dishes to tempt the appetite when we were sick; bathing the tiny baby while we watched; giving us the courage and strength to live our lives independently."

Della died 5/1/1983. 
Edwards, Della Mae (I8)
 
160 Della May Edwards was born 10/23/1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Edward Edwards and Agnes Jardine Edwards. As a young girl, she followed her older borthers and sisters to school (at a distance) when she was too young to start until the teacher finally agreed to let her stay -- which speaks of her love of reading and finding out about the world which lasted all of her life.
Della married Ernest Benjamin Gillis on 7/16/1914 in a ceremony was performed by Ernest's father William, a Methodist-Episcopal minister, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Della was 18. She loved to play softball and was a "good pitcher and a fast runner".

Ernest was born on July 11, 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont and died on March 13, 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. In the spring of 1911, Ernest had moved south of Amiret to a half-section of land, that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.

In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

In the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State. He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home. In July 1943, Della and their four girls still at home joined him via train. The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

Della and Ernest parented 11 children, 9 girls and 2 boys, all of whom lived to maturity, presenting them with 52 grandchildren and 57 greatgrandchildren at the time of Della's death.

Ernie died in 1976 and Della lived then in the homes of daughters where she was found to be a most gracious and pleasant houseguest, reading books, working crossword puzzles, ever ready to play a game, and writing letters to children and grandchildren scattered from Minnesota to Virginia, from California, Oregon, England, and Florida. Her correspondence eagerly shared by all the local families kept this large family well acquainted with each other.

"Things We Remember About Our Mother"
"Many happy thoughts come to mind about Della - the delicious odors from her kitchen as she plied her trade as a fantastic cook; fresh baked bread, pies, hot dishes of all kinds, all served in the most attractive fashion. Christmas with its special joys; long talks - quiet and supportive; sweing spring dresses, bringing special dishes to tempt the appetite when we were sick; bathing the tiny baby while we watched; giving us the courage and strength to live our lives independently."

Della died 5/1/1983. 
EDWARDS, Della Mae (I8)
 
161 Dillon (Don) and Coline were married by the Rev. Stromberg at the Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, April 4, 1944.  Don was in the Army Air Corps at the time, training for overseas duty at Rapid City before departing for duty with the 351st Bomb Group, Polebrook, England. Family F2
 
162 Dillon, known as "Don", was drafted on January 10, 1943 in Portland, OR (SN 39325556) and was inducted at Ft. Lewis, WA, into the Army Air Corps.  He received his basic training at Keesler Field, MS; attended airplane mechanics school at Gulfport Field, MS; a B-17 Factory school at Longbeach, CA; then aerial gunnery training at Las Vegas, NV.  He then attended overseas training in Rapid City, SD, where he and his wife Coline were married.  He was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook, England and flew 35 missions over Germany and occupied countries during World War II.  He received significant military decorations, including  the Air Medal, with 4 oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He was discharged on October 2, 1945 as a Technical Sergeant at Lowry Field, CO.

Notes from memorial services from his daughter Pam:

The service was very nice. The casket was closed and of course draped with
his flag. They hung his flight jacket next to the casket. After the service
they carried the casket from the church to the cemetery (just up the hill
and across the road) on the back of daddy's tractor on the fork lift for the
3-point hitch he had built. I'll try to get a copy of the photos folks took
of his taking his last ride on "little Alice" as he called his
tricycle-wheeled Alice Chalmers WD tractor.

There was an honor guard that presented Dean with the flag. Everyone was
given hand-held flags and the grandchildren were given 21 balloons - 7 red,
7 blue, 7 white. They popped them with pins in unison "red balloons ready -
aim - pop" then white then blue for a 21 balloon salute. They only send
military rifle salutes out now for retired servicemen. The local VFW post
came and served as color guard.

My sister Terry had the service video'd so I am certain if anyone was
interested they may be able to get a copy.

It was a sunny day, cool and breezy. Many friends and family attended; the
church was nearly full. The church ladies fixed a big lunch and it was nice
to visit afterwards and share stories.

After leaving the church most of the family went to the house. Many of mom's
sisters and my cousins came. It was a nice service.

Married on 5 Apr 1944
Married at Pennington, South Dakota 
COBURN, Dillon Butler (I3)
 
163 Diptheria Gillis, Elizabeth (I46)
 
164 Donagh, Griffiths, 1860. Gillis, Andrew (I61)
 
165 Druggist Brown, Ezra Healy Phmb (I615)
 
166 Edith Mabel Gillis, daughter of William McNab and Mary Elizabeth Codville Gillis was born 7/2/1882 in Wardsboro (Windham County) Vermont. She attended grade school at Plainview, Minnesota and high school in Pine Island, Minnesota. She graduated from Hamline University with a degree in teaching in 1905 and taught music in Walnut Grove and Windom (Minnesota).

In 1907 Edith married Claude Albertson, another Hamline graduate, but had the great sorrow of losing him in death the same year. On August 8, 1923 she was married to J. O. Thompson (1880-1959) in Windom, Minnesota. a widower with two daughters, Bernice and Lucille. Together, they had one daughter, Winifred.

Edith was a very active member of the First Methodist Church in Windom - serving as church pianist, teacher in Sunday School, and active in various women's organizations.

Edith died 8/27/1964, age 82. 
Gillis, Edith Mabel (I39)
 
167 Edith Mabel Gillis, daughter of  William McNab  and  Mary Elizabeth Codville Gillis  was born 7/2/1882 in Wardsboro (Windham County) Vermont. She attended grade school at Plainview, Minnesota and high school in Pine Island, Minnesota. She graduated from Hamline University with a degree in teaching in 1905 and taught music in Walnut Grove and Windom (Minnesota).

In 1907 Edith married Claude Albertson, another Hamline graduate, but had the great sorrow of losing him in death the same year. On August 8, 1923 she was married to J. O. Thompson (1880-1959) in Windom, Minnesota. a widower with two daughters, Bernice and Lucille. Together, they had one daughter,  Winifred.

Edith was a very active member of the First Methodist Church in Windom - serving as church pianist, teacher in Sunday School, and active in various women's organizations.

Edith died 8/27/1964, age 82. 
GILLIS, Edith Mabel (I39)
 
168 Edna was the daughter of George and Ida (nee Bartley) Hemmi. She had one older brother, Raymond. HEMMI, Edna Elizabeth (I74)
 
169 Edward Edwards was born 10/17/1856 in Ontario, Canada, the son of Henry Edwards and Jane Sproul Edwards. His death certificate lists his birth as 10/19/1866, but his age as 75 yrs, 10 mo, 29 days and since he died on 9/18/1932, it is likely that the 1866 and the date of the 19th is a typographical error. Also, he listed his age as 23 during the 1880 Census, further confirming his birth year to be 1856.

In the 1870 U.S. Census, Edward lived in the town of Hamburg in Erie County, New York with his parents and his sister, Elizabeth (11 yrs), and younger brother Charles (8). The census reports that he, his siblings, and both parents were born in Canada. Edward was 13.
Edward married Agnes M. Jardine in 1878 in Canada. Edward and Agnes first lived on a farm near Batavia, New York (while living with his parents). From there they moved to Washington, D.C.; then Sioux City, Iowa; Jasper, Minnesota; Tracy Minnesota; then back to Sioux City, Iowa where they lived the rest of their lives.

In the 1880 U.S. Census taken in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York*, Edward stated his occupation as farmer.Edward and his wife Agnes were living with his parents, Henry and Jane, and his younger brother, Charles at the time of the census. Edward and Agnes' oldest child, Jennie, born 11/9/1879, died when she was eleven months old. She is not listed on the census.
Edward was a drayman (a driver of a dray, a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loads) for shippers in New York and in Washington, D.C. His daughter, Della always related to her grandchildren that her father "was a teamster."

Edward was retired and living at 119 George Street, Sioux City Iowa, at the time of his death 9/18/1932. His cause of death is listed as "Carcinoma of the left buccal cavity involving the pharynx" which was first diagnosed in Feb. of 1929. Treatment on his death certifcate included Radium. He was buried at Logan Park, Sioux City, Iowa, on 9/20/1932.

*1880 Census data from: Family History Library Film 1254948, NA Film Number T9-0948, Page 205A. 
EDWARDS, Edward (I215)
 
170 Edward Edwards was born 10/17/1856 in Ontario, Canada, the son of Henry Edwards and Jane Sproul Edwards. His death certificate lists his birth as 10/19/1866, but his age as 75 yrs, 10 mo, 29 days and since he died on 9/18/1932, it is likely that the 1866 and the date of the 19th is a typographical error. Also, he listed his age as 23 during the 1880 Census, further confirming his birth year to be 1856.

In the 1870 U.S. Census, Edward lived in the town of Hamburg in Erie County, New York with his parents and his sister, Elizabeth (11 yrs), and younger brother Charles (8). The census reports that he, his siblings, and both parents were born in Canada. Edward was 13.
Edward married Agnes M. Jardine in 1878 in Canada. Edward and Agnes first lived on a farm near Batavia, New York (while living with his parents). From there they moved to Washington, D.C.; then Sioux City, Iowa; Jasper, Minnesota; Tracy Minnesota; then back to Sioux City, Iowa where they lived the rest of their lives.

In the 1880 U.S. Census taken in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York*, Edward stated his occupation as farmer.Edward and his wife Agnes were living with his parents, Henry and Jane, and his younger brother, Charles at the time of the census. Edward and Agnes' oldest child, Jennie, born 11/9/1879, died when she was eleven months old. She is not listed on the census.
Edward was a drayman (a driver of a dray, a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loads) for shippers in New York and in Washington, D.C. His daughter, Della always related to her grandchildren that her father "was a teamster."

In the 1895 Iowa state census, the family was living in Sioux City with Harry, 13, Mary, 9, Ada, 6, Anna, 3, and John, 1. Edward was listed as a teamster with no religious affiliation; Agnes indicated she was Presbyterian. In the 1910 Iowa state census, Henry, 28, was also working as a teamster. Anna, 19, was living with them and Della, 14, Robert, 12, and Agnes, 9 were in school.

In the 1925 Iowa census Edward and Agnes indicated they had lived in Iowa 40 years and paid $20/month for rent. They were living in Woodbury, IA and their son, Robert (27 years old) was living with them. Edward indicated he had completed 5th grade and Agnes 4th in rural schools; and Robert completed 8th grade in a grade school.

Edward was retired and living at 119 George Street, Sioux City Iowa, at the time of his death 9/18/1932. His cause of death is listed as "Carcinoma of the left buccal cavity involving the pharynx" which was first diagnosed in Feb. of 1929. Treatment on his death certifcate included Radium. He was buried at Logan Park, Sioux City, Iowa, on 9/20/1932.

*1880 Census data from: Family History Library Film 1254948, NA Film Number T9-0948, Page 205A. 
Edwards, Edward (I215)
 
171 Edward Edwards was born in Canada, the son of Henry Edwards and Elizabeth Munn Masterson Edwards. According to a letter written by John Jardine (Edward's sister Elizabeth's husband), Edward was killed at a young age by the kick of a mule.

There is a grave marker for an Edward Edwards in All Saints Cemetery is located on the north side of Concession 11 - Brock between the Ridge Road and Sideroad 18A southwest of the Cannington urban area. The Epitath reads:

In Memory of
EDWARD
Son of
Henry & Elizabeth
EDWARDS
Who departed this life Dec. 10, 1844
AGE 13 yrs & 10 mo

The friends that pass by the lonesome grave
And with a sigh move slow along
While gazeing on the spears of grass
With which my grave is overgrown

This would make Edward born around Feb of 1831 - likely the son "killed by the kick of a mule".
(His siblings would have been Sarah, born about 1830; Henry, born 3/1831 (maybe a twin??); Elizabeth, born 8/1832.)
 
EDWARDS, Edward (I196)
 
172 Edward Edwards was born in Canada, the son of Henry Edwards and Elizabeth Munn Masterson Edwards. According to a letter written by John Jardine (Edward's sister Elizabeth's husband), Edward was killed at a young age by the kick of a mule.

There is a grave marker for an Edward Edwards in All Saints Cemetery is located on the north side of Concession 11 - Brock between the Ridge Road and Sideroad 18A southwest of the Cannington urban area. The Epitath reads:

In Memory of
EDWARD
Son of
Henry & Elizabeth
EDWARDS
Who departed this life Dec. 10, 1844
AGE 13 yrs & 10 mo

The friends that pass by the lonesome grave
And with a sigh move slow along
While gazeing on the spears of grass
With which my grave is overgrown

This would make Edward born around Feb of 1831 - likely the son "killed by the kick of a mule".
(His siblings would have been Sarah, born about 1830; Henry, born 3/1831 (maybe a twin??); Elizabeth, born 8/1832.)
 
EDWARDS, Edward (I196)
 
173 Edward William ("Ed", "Willie", "EW") was born  3 July 1864 in Spring Lake, Wisconsin, the son of John and Elizabeth Jardine. According to his obituary, "His early life was spent on the farm of his parents near Muscoda, Grant County [Wisconsin]." After his mother died, Edward lived in an orphanage until he was old enough to work on local farms.

Willie wrote to his sister Mary Ann in 1883 asking her if she would write and tell him how old he was. He said that his brother Henry claimed he was 20 but he thought he was 19. He writes "I know I have kept my age straight since I can remember, but whether it was kept straight until I could remember or not I don't know." At the time, he was working "for Mr. Robinson for two years at 7% if you are earning $1.50 per day you are doing well. I get only $ .75 per day husking corn. Wages are low." He stated he did not know where he would be the next summer. He wrote the letter from Pleasant Hill and it is postmarked in Wisconsin.

In 1886 Will was in Muscoda, Wisconsin and wrote to Mary Ann that he would be heading for Chicago and then on to Canada to resolve his dealings with the family farm his mother inherited. There is no evidence at this time that he ever did go to Canada.

On Dec 29, 1888, Ed wrote from Visalia, CA: "I came here with Charles Cooper and went to his Uncle Dave Williams to get work and got just enough to start-up and then he was through with us."
In a letter dated 17 Mar 1889, he wrote: "I left Wisconsin on the 3rd of Dec and got to Cal. on Dec 10th, '88."

In a Nov. 10, 1889 letter to sister Mary Ann from Visalia, California Ed states "My girl sent me the ring back and I am a free man again and now the girls can go to the __________."  and continues "I am well. I am out of the Mts. again and I am cutting wood again or will be when you get this, for a man by the name of Evens. I get $1.75 per cd and do my own grubbing. I can cut a cord a day very easy... I have cleared about three hundred dollars since I came to Cal. I think I can make a hundred more this winter." From the letters it is evident that his brother, John Henry Jardine, is working in the same area. The following April (1890) letter says "Yes, I am stuck in Cal. for awhile. Make more money here in a year than I can in Wis. in three. "

Jan 1890, Ed writes "I am not making much here I can make my board and expenses and a little more you see my expenses are pretty high and it raises so much I can't get to work more than half of the time. [his brother John] Henry is working for a man as a gardener if he gets in and rustles a little he will have a job for all the summer. I don't know how much he is to get a month but I don't suppose he will get less than $30 per mo."

Edward married Evelyn Mae Thompson on June 21, 1899 in Muscoda, WI. Their wedding announcement listed they would be "at home after July tenth, Tuttletown, California".

Ed and Mae are listed in the 1900 census in Toulumne County, CA. Ed's occupation is listed as gold mining. Edward William's obituary stated that he "engaged in gold mining in California and discovered a vein. Later he studied medicine and started his practice."

In a letter to his sister Mary dated 3 May 1903, Bonanza, OR, John Henry writes "E.W. and wife were here to see me last fall in Sep and stayed a week."

On March 22, 1904 Ed and May had a daughter, Margaret Beth Jardine. In a letter dated 23 Apr 1904, Ed writes "On Mar 22 a baby girl was born to us. Six days after, May took down with Typhoid fever and died on Apr 18. I bured her at Muscoda Apr 21. Sister Ella has the baby and will keep her for me." In a 1907 letter, EW Jardine wrote to his sister that "we named her after her two grandmothers. Margaret Beth and call her Beth. She lives with her Aunt Ella Thurber at Muscoda Wis." Ella Thurber, of Muscoda, WI was May's sister who married Phillip Thurber. It appears Beth stayed with Mae's sister Ella Thurber and her husband Phillip for her entire childhood. She was living with them when the 1910 census was taken. At the time, they had no children of their own. Ed wrote often that he spent time in Muscoda, visiting his little girl.

In an Oct 15, 1905 letter from siblings John Henry to Mary Ann, John writes "Have you heard from Ed lately I haven't heard from him for a year. He will get his diploma next spring I guess and then will put M.D. after his name."

Edward "...spent some years in mining and loggin camps in California. It was there that certain events determined his future profession; in cases on injuries or sickness in the camp, the camp doctors came to depend on young Jardine for assistance, as he showed a natrual ability to minister to those who were ill or hurt. He came east and studied medicine, being graduated from Keokuk Medical College, Keokuk, Iowa, on May 3, 1906. The same year of his graduation, Dr. Jardine came to Alma [Wisconsin], in October, 1906, to practice his profession, and remained here the rest of his life, a period of thirty years lacking a few months. For more than fifteen years past he was city health officer here." (Obituary, Buffalo County Journal, 2 Apr 1936, pg 1; cont. on pg 5)

Ed is listed in the 1906 roster of graduates the Keokuk (Iowa) College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In that 1907 letter to his sister, Ed writes "I came to Alma (Wisconsin) Aug 29, 1906. For the first six months I did not make expenses but since that I have done fairly well, although I am still in debt. My baby [Beth] is a big stout hearty girl. I measured her yesterday and she is 41 1/4" high and wighs 36 lbs. When I was nine years old I only weighed 20 lbs more than she."

Edward wrote to his sister Mary Ann on letterhead reading "Office Of Dr. E. W. Jardine, Physician and Surgeon" dated 29 April 1909, "Say, Mary where was father when you last heard from him? Was it not Lake City, Minn.? That is the second station above here and if that is where he was I will go up there sometime and see if I can learn anything of him.... Beth is growing fine. Had her nose broke and it left a little depression just above the bulbous extremity."

Ed wrote in 1909 "Had my leg broke last fall both bones just above ankle and ankle was displaced sidewise backwise and every other wise. Had to get another M.D. to fix it couldn't get at it myself. Too fat. Sat up next day and dressed sore ear and foot. But missed lots of work." He continued "Tell Lume [referring to his sister Mary Ann's husband] I weigh 237 ? lbs and if I should sit on him he would know what it meant to have his own relations come down on him."

In the 1910 census Ed was listed as widower and working as an M.D. in Alma, WI.

The summer of 1919, Edward married Mary McDonough Myers [note: one account states Mary McDonough, but all others show Mary Myers] of Nelson [or Modena] Wisconsin. The wedding was held in Fountain City [or Alma] WI. Mary was 30 years old and Edward was 55. It was Mary's first marriage and on the marriage certificate her occupation is listed as "at home". The Buffalo County Register account states that it was Mary's first marriage and lists her father's name as J.J. Myers, her mother Anna Riley.

On 17 December 1919 Edward and Mary had a baby boy, John. "Dr. and Mrs. E.W. Jardine are the happy parents of a bouncing 11 1/2 lb. son, born to them at La Crosse on Saturday. Congratulations." (Buffalo County Journal; 1 Jan 1920). John M. was listed as one month old in the 1920 census. He was attending high school when his father died.

NOTE: in other accounts, Mary is listed as Mary Myers. In the 1940 census, her mother is listed as Ann Myers. Perhaps Mary's father was McDonough but her mother later married a Myers?

Ed noted in the 1930 census that he was not a veteran.

In an April 28, 1930 letter Ed writes "I have been kept in this house all winter and spring not able to do more than office practice... I had a minor operation performed a year ago and I guess I'll have to have another soon.

Edwards William Jardine died at his home in Alma at the age of 71. "For several years before his death Dr. Jardine had been in poor health. His death, which occured early Monday morning, Mar 30, 1936, followed a severe attack of illness the previous day." (Obituary, Buffalo County Journal, 2 Apr 1936, pg 1; cont. on pg 5) His death record (Buffalo County Register, Vol 11, Pg 310) states he died at 3 a.m. of Cardia Renal, Cardiac failure after being ill for five days. He is buried in the Alma cemetery. 
JARDINE, Edward William (I683)
 
174 Edward William ("Ed", "Willie", "EW") was born  3 July 1864 in Spring Lake, Wisconsin, the son of John and Elizabeth Jardine. According to his obituary, "His early life was spent on the farm of his parents near Muscoda, Grant County [Wisconsin]." After his mother died, Edward lived in an orphanage until he was old enough to work on local farms.

Willie wrote to his sister Mary Ann in 1883 asking her if she would write and tell him how old he was. He said that his brother Henry claimed he was 20 but he thought he was 19. He writes "I know I have kept my age straight since I can remember, but whether it was kept straight until I could remember or not I don't know." At the time, he was working "for Mr. Robinson for two years at 7% if you are earning $1.50 per day you are doing well. I get only $ .75 per day husking corn. Wages are low." He stated he did not know where he would be the next summer. He wrote the letter from Pleasant Hill and it is postmarked in Wisconsin.

In 1886 Will was in Muscoda, Wisconsin and wrote to Mary Ann that he would be heading for Chicago and then on to Canada to resolve his dealings with the family farm his mother inherited. There is no evidence at this time that he ever did go to Canada.

On Dec 29, 1888, Ed wrote from Visalia, CA: "I came here with Charles Cooper and went to his Uncle Dave Williams to get work and got just enough to start-up and then he was through with us."
In a letter dated 17 Mar 1889, he wrote: "I left Wisconsin on the 3rd of Dec and got to Cal. on Dec 10th, '88."

In a Nov. 10, 1889 letter to sister Mary Ann from Visalia, California Ed states "My girl sent me the ring back and I am a free man again and now the girls can go to the __________."  and continues "I am well. I am out of the Mts. again and I am cutting wood again or will be when you get this, for a man by the name of Evens. I get $1.75 per cd and do my own grubbing. I can cut a cord a day very easy... I have cleared about three hundred dollars since I came to Cal. I think I can make a hundred more this winter." From the letters it is evident that his brother, John Henry Jardine, is working in the same area. The following April (1890) letter says "Yes, I am stuck in Cal. for awhile. Make more money here in a year than I can in Wis. in three. "

Jan 1890, Ed writes "I am not making much here I can make my board and expenses and a little more you see my expenses are pretty high and it raises so much I can't get to work more than half of the time. [his brother John] Henry is working for a man as a gardener if he gets in and rustles a little he will have a job for all the summer. I don't know how much he is to get a month but I don't suppose he will get less than $30 per mo."

Edward married Evelyn Mae Thompson on June 21, 1899 in Muscoda, WI. Their wedding announcement listed they would be "at home after July tenth, Tuttletown, California".

Ed and Mae are listed in the 1900 census in Toulumne County, CA. Ed's occupation is listed as gold mining. Edward William's obituary stated that he "engaged in gold mining in California and discovered a vein. Later he studied medicine and started his practice."

In a letter to his sister Mary dated 3 May 1903, Bonanza, OR, John Henry writes "E.W. and wife were here to see me last fall in Sep and stayed a week."

On March 22, 1904 Ed and May had a daughter, Margaret Beth Jardine. In a letter dated 23 Apr 1904, Ed writes "On Mar 22 a baby girl was born to us. Six days after, May took down with Typhoid fever and died on Apr 18. I bured her at Muscoda Apr 21. Sister Ella has the baby and will keep her for me." In a 1907 letter, EW Jardine wrote to his sister that "we named her after her two grandmothers. Margaret Beth and call her Beth. She lives with her Aunt Ella Thurber at Muscoda Wis." Ella Thurber, of Muscoda, WI was May's sister who married Phillip Thurber. It appears Beth stayed with Mae's sister Ella Thurber and her husband Phillip for her entire childhood. She was living with them when the 1910 census was taken. At the time, they had no children of their own. Ed wrote often that he spent time in Muscoda, visiting his little girl.

In an Oct 15, 1905 letter from siblings John Henry to Mary Ann, John writes "Have you heard from Ed lately I haven't heard from him for a year. He will get his diploma next spring I guess and then will put M.D. after his name."

Edward "...spent some years in mining and loggin camps in California. It was there that certain events determined his future profession; in cases on injuries or sickness in the camp, the camp doctors came to depend on young Jardine for assistance, as he showed a natrual ability to minister to those who were ill or hurt. He came east and studied medicine, being graduated from Keokuk Medical College, Keokuk, Iowa, on May 3, 1906. The same year of his graduation, Dr. Jardine came to Alma [Wisconsin], in October, 1906, to practice his profession, and remained here the rest of his life, a period of thirty years lacking a few months. For more than fifteen years past he was city health officer here." (Obituary, Buffalo County Journal, 2 Apr 1936, pg 1; cont. on pg 5)

Ed is listed in the 1906 roster of graduates the Keokuk (Iowa) College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In that 1907 letter to his sister, Ed writes "I came to Alma (Wisconsin) Aug 29, 1906. For the first six months I did not make expenses but since that I have done fairly well, although I am still in debt. My baby [Beth] is a big stout hearty girl. I measured her yesterday and she is 41 1/4" high and wighs 36 lbs. When I was nine years old I only weighed 20 lbs more than she."

Edward wrote to his sister Mary Ann on letterhead reading "Office Of Dr. E. W. Jardine, Physician and Surgeon" dated 29 April 1909, "Say, Mary where was father when you last heard from him? Was it not Lake City, Minn.? That is the second station above here and if that is where he was I will go up there sometime and see if I can learn anything of him.... Beth is growing fine. Had her nose broke and it left a little depression just above the bulbous extremity."

Ed wrote in 1909 "Had my leg broke last fall both bones just above ankle and ankle was displaced sidewise backwise and every other wise. Had to get another M.D. to fix it couldn't get at it myself. Too fat. Sat up next day and dressed sore ear and foot. But missed lots of work." He continued "Tell Lume [referring to his sister Mary Ann's husband] I weigh 237 ? lbs and if I should sit on him he would know what it meant to have his own relations come down on him."

In the 1910 census Ed was listed as widower and working as an M.D. in Alma, WI.

The summer of 1919, Edward married Mary McDonough Myers [note: one account states Mary McDonough, but all others show Mary Myers] of Nelson [or Modena] Wisconsin. The wedding was held in Fountain City [or Alma] WI. Mary was 30 years old and Edward was 55. It was Mary's first marriage and on the marriage certificate her occupation is listed as "at home". The Buffalo County Register account states that it was Mary's first marriage and lists her father's name as J.J. Myers, her mother Anna Riley.

On 17 December 1919 Edward and Mary had a baby boy, John. "Dr. and Mrs. E.W. Jardine are the happy parents of a bouncing 11 1/2 lb. son, born to them at La Crosse on Saturday. Congratulations." (Buffalo County Journal; 1 Jan 1920). John M. was listed as one month old in the 1920 census. He was attending high school when his father died.

NOTE: in other accounts, Mary is listed as Mary Myers. In the 1940 census, her mother is listed as Ann Myers. Perhaps Mary's father was McDonough but her mother later married a Myers?

Ed noted in the 1930 census that he was not a veteran.

In an April 28, 1930 letter Ed writes "I have been kept in this house all winter and spring not able to do more than office practice... I had a minor operation performed a year ago and I guess I'll have to have another soon.

Edwards William Jardine died at his home in Alma at the age of 71. "For several years before his death Dr. Jardine had been in poor health. His death, which occured early Monday morning, Mar 30, 1936, followed a severe attack of illness the previous day." (Obituary, Buffalo County Journal, 2 Apr 1936, pg 1; cont. on pg 5) His death record (Buffalo County Register, Vol 11, Pg 310) states he died at 3 a.m. of Cardia Renal, Cardiac failure after being ill for five days. He is buried in the Alma cemetery. 
JARDINE, Edward William (I683)
 
175 Elizabeth (Betty) finished her high school years while living with Mr. Hakes in Windom, Minn. After marrying Albert Cyr, they established a home in Alderwood Manor, Washington, next to Betty's father's home, Ernest Gillis. They eventually sold that home and moved to Maltby, Washington

My dad, Albert Marion Cyr, was born on March 13, 1921, and he died on March 16, 2000.
My mom, Elizabeth Jean (Betty) Gillis Cyr, was born on April 18, 1925, and she died on May 23, 2011.
My parents were married on June 18, 1943.

Hope this information will be helpful. I don't think I have any obituaries. If I find any, I will send you a copy.

Also, if you need any information about my two sisters and my brother who passed away, let me know.

Hope all is going well for you.

Carol Ellen Cyr-Hibbs
Born: 12-15-1948
Died: 1-2-2015

Nancy Mae Cyr Carlson
Born: 3-19-1948
Died: 3:20-2007

Robert Ernest (Bob) Cyr
Born: 3-28-1949
Married: 12-31-1979
Died: 9-23-2016



Love,
Mary 
Gillis, Elizabeth Jean (I30)
 
176 Elizabeth (Betty) finished her high school years while living with Mr. Hakes in Windom, Minn.  After marrying Albert Cyr, they established a home in Alderwood Manor, Washington, next to Betty's father's home, Ernest Gillis.  They eventually sold that home and moved to Maltby, Washington

My dad, Albert Marion Cyr, was born on March 13, 1921, and he died on March 16, 2000.
My mom, Elizabeth Jean (Betty) Gillis Cyr, was born on April 18, 1925, and she died on May 23, 2011.
My parents were married on June 18, 1943.

Hope this information will be helpful. I don't think I have any obituaries. If I find any, I will send you a copy.

Also, if you need any information about my two sisters and my brother who passed away, let me know.

Hope all is going well for you.

Carol Ellen Cyr-Hibbs
Born:  12-15-1948
Died:  1-2-2015

Nancy Mae Cyr Carlson
Born:  3-19-1948
Died:  3:20-2007

Robert Ernest (Bob) Cyr
Born:  3-28-1949
Married:  12-31-1979
Died:  9-23-2016



Love,
Mary 
GILLIS, Elizabeth Jean (I30)
 
177 Elizabeth (called Eliza) was born 6/20/1835, the daughter of
William & Nancy (Robinson) Gillis . She married James George on the 15th of July 1856, Methodist Church (Ireland) and witnessed by Hannah Wood.

Elizabeth died August 29, 1875 of diphtheria. 
Gillis, Elizabeth (I46)
 
178 Elizabeth (called Eliza) was born 6/20/1835, the daughter of
William  &  Nancy (Robinson) Gillis . She married James George on  the 15th of July 1856, Methodist Church (Ireland) and witnessed by Hannah Wood.

Elizabeth died August 29, 1875 of diphtheria. 
GILLIS, Elizabeth (I46)
 
179 Elizabeth (called Lina?) Enmark was born in 1852. She married Robert Brown Gillis and lived in Beinfait, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Elizabeth died on March 8, 1946. She is laid to rest at Beinfait Civic Cemetery . 
Enmark, Elizabeth (I610)
 
180 Elizabeth (called Lina?) Enmark was born in 1852. She married Robert Brown Gillis and lived in Beinfait, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Elizabeth died on March 8, 1946. She is laid to rest at  Beinfait Civic Cemetery . 
ENMARK, Elizabeth (I610)
 
181 Elizabeth Edwards was born May 4, 1859 in Canada, the daughter of Henry Edwards and Jane Sproul Edwards. According to the Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register [Victoria University Archives, Vol. 1, baptisms, 1825-ca. 1860 FHL #1759292, page 488, http://vicu.utoronto.ca/archives/archives.htm], Elizabeth was born in (and the family resided in and the baptism took place in) Eldon, Eldon Twp, Colborne Dist. she was baptised by Rev. D.C. Clappica on July 25. The transcription states the baptism date was 1850-07-25 but that is definately an error as she was born in 1859 (she was listed as 11 in the 1870 census).
When Elizabeth was about six, the family moved to New York state. In the 1870 U.S. Census, she lived in the town of Hamburg in Erie County, New York with her parents and brothers, Edward (then 13), and Charles (8). The census reports that she, her brothers, and both parents were born in Canada.

Elizabeth married Adelbert Raymond about 1878. Adelbert was a farmer born in New York, December of 1849. Both of his parents were born in New York. In the 1880 U.S. Census taken in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York*, Elizabeth and Adelbert had two children: Cora, age 2, and Anna, born that year (1880).

In the 1900 U.S. Census, Elizabeth reported that she had birthed 8 children and 8 were still living: Cora born 3/1878, Anna born 12/1880, Mary born 9/1881, Arthur born 12/1882, Jennie born 3/1885, Aurea(?) born 4/1888, Bertha born 8/1891, and Edgar born 10/1895.
Elizabeth and Adelbert were both still living in 1930. 
EDWARDS, Elizabeth (I685)
 
182 Elizabeth Edwards was born May 4, 1859 in Canada, the daughter of Henry Edwards and Jane Sproul Edwards. According to the Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register [Victoria University Archives, Vol. 1, baptisms, 1825-ca. 1860 FHL #1759292, page 488, http://vicu.utoronto.ca/archives/archives.htm], Elizabeth was born in (and the family resided in and the baptism took place in) Eldon, Eldon Twp, Colborne Dist. she was baptised by Rev. D.C. Clappica on July 25. The transcription states the baptism date was 1850-07-25 but that is definately an error as she was born in 1859 (she was listed as 11 in the 1870 census).
When Elizabeth was about six, the family moved to New York state. In the 1870 U.S. Census, she lived in the town of Hamburg in Erie County, New York with her parents and brothers, Edward (then 13), and Charles (8). The census reports that she, her brothers, and both parents were born in Canada.

Elizabeth married Adelbert Raymond about 1878. Adelbert was a farmer born in New York, December of 1849. Both of his parents were born in New York. In the 1880 U.S. Census taken in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York*, Elizabeth and Adelbert had two children: Cora, age 2, and Anna, born that year (1880).

In the 1900 U.S. Census, Elizabeth reported that she had birthed 8 children and 8 were still living: Cora born 3/1878, Anna born 12/1880, Mary born 9/1881, Arthur born 12/1882, Jennie born 3/1885, Aurea(?) born 4/1888, Bertha born 8/1891, and Edgar born 10/1895.
Elizabeth and Adelbert were both still living in 1930. 
EDWARDS, Elizabeth (I685)
 
183 Elizabeth Ridley was born about 1808 and died 14 May 1864.
On July 5, 1826 she married Andrew Gillis , St. Salvator's
Church of Ireland, Donagh Parish. They had five sons and 2
daughters. They lived on the Donagh Parish-based farmstead
on which a descendent of Robert Gillis was living on when
Benjamin Cole Gillis visited Ireland in 1910.

Elizabeth's maiden last name was Ridley not Riddle as was
previously thought, per the St. Salvator's Church registry
baptismal records of the children of Andrew and Elizabeth
(Ridley) Gillis (Andrew, son of Robert Gillis, brother of
William John Gillis).

In Elizabeth's death record, 14 May 1864, St. Salvator's
Church Register,Glasslough Parish, Donagh Cty, Monoghan
2006 professional research also showed the same church's burial
records cite Elizabeth's death age 56, "born around 1808,"
therefore thought to be Andrew's wife.

This is the only verifiable marriage of the Gillis sons including
William/Andrew/Robert in the church registers, acc. to 2006
research in Belfast. Marriage on 05 Jul 1826, St. Salvator's
Church of Ireland, Donagh Parish. Witnesses per church
records: William Watters, William Scott, John Riddle (Ridley). 
Ridley, Elizabeth (I593)
 
184 Elizabeth Ridley was born about 1808 and died 14 May 1864.
On July 5, 1826 she married  Andrew Gillis , St. Salvator's
Church of Ireland, Donagh Parish. They had five sons and 2
daughters. They lived on the Donagh Parish-based farmstead
on which a descendent of Robert Gillis was living on when
Benjamin Cole Gillis visited Ireland in 1910.

Elizabeth's maiden last name was Ridley not Riddle as was
previously thought, per the St. Salvator's Church registry
baptismal records of the children of Andrew and Elizabeth
(Ridley) Gillis (Andrew, son of Robert Gillis, brother of
William John Gillis).

In Elizabeth's death record, 14 May 1864, St. Salvator's
Church Register,Glasslough Parish, Donagh Cty, Monoghan
2006 professional research also showed the same church's burial
records cite Elizabeth's death age 56, "born around 1808,"
therefore thought to be Andrew's wife.

This is the only verifiable marriage of the Gillis sons including
William/Andrew/Robert in the church registers, acc. to 2006
research in Belfast. Marriage on 05 Jul 1826, St. Salvator's
Church of Ireland, Donagh Parish. Witnesses per church
records: William Watters, William Scott, John Riddle (Ridley). 
RIDLEY, Elizabeth (I593)
 
185 Elizabeth's courtship with John was strenuously objected to by her parents and an elopement was planned and executed. They left Canada* and came into the state of Michigan where they took up a homestead. This was at the time of the Civil War (1861-1865) was on and in order to avoid the draft law he relinquished his homestead. From that time on [John] was engaged as engineer on lake vessels. The last few years before the death of mother (Elizabeth Edwards Jardine) he was running a tug boat towing vessels in and out of the harbor at Milwaukee, WI. (per son Edward)


*Note: Edward's account leads the reader to believe that John and Elizabeth eloped and went directly to Michigan; however, their oldest daughter Agnes was born in Canada (1857). Their daughter Mary Ann was born in Wisconsin in 1859. 
EDWARDS, Elizabeth (I1231)
 
186 Ellen was a twin. Kean, Ellen (I5593)
 
187 Ellen was a twin. KEAN, Ellen (I5593)
 
188 Ellen was born Nov.23, 1833 in Inverness P.Q. Canada, the daughter of William & Nancy (Robinson) Gillis .

Ellen was baptized May 28, 1835 Church of England (Leeds). She and Robert Kean were married the 8th of March 1853, Methodist Church (Ireland) by a Methodist minister Mr. Dorey and witnessed by Wm. Gillis.

Robert was born Dec. 25, 1830 in Saltcoats,Scotland and died Aug. 31, 1871 in Halifax, P.Q. Canada. He was the son of Elizabeth Russell Kean born Dec.31, 1788 on the Isle of Arron, Scotland and died April 5, 1877 in Halifax P.Q. Canada. Ellen and Robert had 8 children. John,Elizabeth,William,John Russell,Robert,Nancy,Ellen and Mary.

Ellen died July 28, 1921 in Inverness P.Q. Canada at 88 yrs of age.


Notes from Gladys Jamison daughter of Mary, to her cousin Dorothy Bach Moore. "My dear grandmother Ellen Gillis Keans. Her husband died and left her with six (actually 7) children. Aunt Lizzie one of the oldest,John,Willie,the twins Auntie Agnes and Aunt Helen, Robert and Mother Mary, who was 5 years old.His mother who was blind-no dout cateracts,she was 99 lived with them. My heart rejoices when I think of my grandmother, she was such a dear sweet person. We lived while in Halifax,Can.about 1/2mile from grandma.

!BIRTH-CHRISTENING: Paul Vachon, THE ANGLO-PROTESTANTS OF MEGANTIC COUNTY,
Repertory of Births, Marriages, and Burials; 1826-1991; Societe Genealogigue
de la region de l'Amiante, Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, 1992, Pub. No. 5;
Births p101;US/CAN 971.4575 K2r,Fiche 6125775,LDS FHL Salt Lake City UT; NOTE:
"(bapt) 28/05/1835 GILLIS, Ellen
(born) 23/11/1833 William (fa) & Nancy ROBINSON Inv.
bapt.: Church of England (Leeds)"
MARRIAGE: Ibid.; Marriages p 72; NOTE: 6 children listed, p138.
"08/03/1853 KEAN, Robert (farmer) ([John & Elizabeth Russell] Halifax)
GILLIS, Ellen ([William] & ... ... )
Methodist Church (Ireland)
witness: William Gillis"
From Descendents of Ellen Gillis Kean (via email from Pam Sheldon [mystuff06420@yahoo.com] 5/10/2009)

!BIRTH-CHRISTENING: Paul Vachon, THE ANGLO-PROTESTANTS OF MEGANTIC COUNTY,
Repertory of Births, Marriages, and Burials; 1826-1991; Societe Genealogigue
de la region de l'Amiante, Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, 1992, Pub. No. 5;
Births p101;US/CAN 971.4575 K2r,Fiche 6125775,LDS FHL Salt Lake City UT; NOTE:
"(bapt) 28/05/1835 GILLIS, Ellen
(born) 23/11/1833 William (fa) & Nancy ROBINSON Inv.
bapt.: Church of England (Leeds)"
MARRIAGE: Ibid.; Marriages p 72; NOTE: 6 children listed, p138.
"08/03/1853 KEAN, Robert (farmer) ([John & Elizabeth Russell] Halifax)
GILLIS, Ellen ([William] & ... ... )
Methodist Church (Ireland)
witness: William Gillis" 
Gillis, Ellen (I5602)
 
189 Ellen was born Nov.23, 1833 in Inverness P.Q. Canada, the daughter of  William  &  Nancy (Robinson) Gillis .

Ellen was baptized May 28, 1835 Church of England (Leeds). She and Robert Kean were married the 8th of March 1853, Methodist Church (Ireland) by a Methodist minister Mr. Dorey and witnessed by Wm. Gillis.

Robert was born Dec. 25, 1830  in Saltcoats,Scotland and died Aug. 31, 1871 in Halifax, P.Q. Canada. He was the son of Elizabeth Russell Kean born Dec.31, 1788 on the Isle of Arron, Scotland and died April 5, 1877 in Halifax P.Q. Canada. Ellen and Robert had 8 children. John,Elizabeth,William,John Russell,Robert,Nancy,Ellen and Mary.

Ellen died July 28, 1921 in Inverness  P.Q. Canada at 88 yrs of age.


Notes from Gladys Jamison daughter of Mary, to her cousin Dorothy Bach Moore. "My dear grandmother Ellen Gillis Keans. Her husband died and left her with six (actually 7) children. Aunt Lizzie one of the oldest,John,Willie,the twins Auntie Agnes and Aunt Helen, Robert and Mother Mary, who was 5 years old.His mother who was  blind-no dout cateracts,she was 99 lived with them. My heart rejoices when I think of my grandmother, she was such a dear sweet person. We lived while in Halifax,Can.about 1/2mile from grandma.

!BIRTH-CHRISTENING:  Paul Vachon, THE ANGLO-PROTESTANTS OF MEGANTIC COUNTY,
Repertory of Births, Marriages, and Burials; 1826-1991; Societe Genealogigue
de la region de l'Amiante, Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, 1992, Pub. No. 5;
Births p101;US/CAN 971.4575 K2r,Fiche 6125775,LDS FHL Salt Lake City UT; NOTE:
"(bapt) 28/05/1835  GILLIS, Ellen
(born) 23/11/1833    William (fa) & Nancy ROBINSON Inv.
                      bapt.: Church of England (Leeds)"
MARRIAGE:  Ibid.; Marriages p 72; NOTE:  6 children listed, p138.
"08/03/1853  KEAN, Robert (farmer)  ([John & Elizabeth Russell]  Halifax)
             GILLIS, Ellen  ([William] & ...  ... )
             Methodist Church (Ireland)
             witness: William Gillis"
From Descendents of Ellen Gillis Kean (via email from Pam Sheldon [mystuff06420@yahoo.com] 5/10/2009)

!BIRTH-CHRISTENING:  Paul Vachon, THE ANGLO-PROTESTANTS OF MEGANTIC COUNTY,
Repertory of Births, Marriages, and Burials; 1826-1991; Societe Genealogigue
de la region de l'Amiante, Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, 1992, Pub. No. 5;
Births p101;US/CAN 971.4575 K2r,Fiche 6125775,LDS FHL Salt Lake City UT; NOTE:
"(bapt) 28/05/1835  GILLIS, Ellen
(born) 23/11/1833    William (fa) & Nancy ROBINSON Inv.
                      bapt.: Church of England (Leeds)"
MARRIAGE:  Ibid.; Marriages p 72; NOTE:  6 children listed, p138.
"08/03/1853  KEAN, Robert (farmer)  ([John & Elizabeth Russell]  Halifax)
             GILLIS, Ellen  ([William] & ...  ... )
             Methodist Church (Ireland)
             witness: William Gillis" 
GILLIS, Ellen (I5602)
 
190 Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton,
Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington.
Ernest was the son of the  Reverend William McNab Gillis  and
Mary Elizabeth Codville . He was one of five children ?  two boys
(Ernest and William Hillary) and three girls (Winifred Martha,
May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

  At his age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in Plainview 5 years, Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year.  When Ernest enrolled in Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there and attended the University of Minnesota Farm School. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things.

In the spring of 1908, Ernest rented the old Andrew Clay farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota and in the spring of 1911, moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards.  Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.  They may married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy.  That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy.  In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State.  He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home.  In July 1943, Della  and their four girls still at home joined him via train.  The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

In 1966, Ernest completed another home adjacent to the first home; he and Della moved into it and sold the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many
large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens'
weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous
grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days
and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees
growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of
gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.
When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself
in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della
then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be
cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was
fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area
until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to
this day and are fondly remembered by all.

As a young boy, Ernie and his siblings (Winnie, May, Will, and
Edith) sang often in church, even as a quintet.

Ernie's daughter Coline tells of him often singing the old hymn to
his quarreling children, "Angry Words, Oh Let them Never... From
Thy Tongue, Unbridled Slip."

Ernest's grandson Ernie (Grace's son) remembers Ernest singing a
song that started out like this...

Coming down from Bangor on a pullman train
from a six-weeks outing in the wilds of Maine
whiskers quite extensive, light mustache as well...
There are many variations of this song, but here is the one that
seems to be most common. As a granddaughter of Ernest, Coline's
daughter Pam can imagine him singing this, complete with a
twinkle in his eye...
RIDING DOWN FROM BANGOR
Riding down from Bangor on an eastern train
After weeks of hunting in the woods of Maine,
Quite extensive whiskers, beard, mustache as well,
Sat a student fellow, tall and slim and swell,
Empty seat behind him, no one at his side.
Into quiet village eastern train did glide.
Enter aged couple, take the hindmost seat.
Enter village maiden, beautiful, petite.

Blushingly she faltered, "Is this seat engaged?"
Sees the aged couple, properly enraged
Student's quite ecstatic, sees her ticket through
Thinks of the long tunnel, thinks what he will do.
Pleasantly they chatted. How the cinders fly!
Till the student fellow gets one in his eye.
Maiden, sympathetic, turns herself about.
"May I, if you please, sir, try to get it out?"
Then the student fellow feels a gentle touch,
Hears a gentle murmur, "Does it hurt you much?"
Whiz! Slap! Bang! Into tunnel quite,
Into glorious darkness, black as Egypt's night.
Out into the daylight glides that eastern train.
Student's hair is ruffled just the merest grain.
Maiden seen all blushes when then and there appeared
A tiny little earring in that horrid student's beard.

Ernest's grandaughter Phyllis (Mary Louise's daughter) remembers
a few of the things her Grandpa loved, like "hot oatmeal with
butter in the morning? and his garden, especially the strawberries - wait, that was Phyllis that liked the strawberries! She remembers
him singing hymns, especially "I Come to the Garden Alone." And
that he loved parakeets; she remembers how he used to talk to
them & let them fly around the house and how sad he was when
Tweetie (she thinks that was the bird's name!) flew out the
window..."

Ernest always had a wonderful garden, and grew lovely gladiolas
just outside the basement kitchen window in the new home in
Alderwood Manor, WA.
He loved to play dominos!
Ernie was an excellent domino player... 
GILLIS, Ernest Benjamin (I7)
 
191 Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton,
Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington.
Ernest was the son of the  Reverend William McNab Gillis  and
Mary Elizabeth Codville . He was one of five children ?  two boys
(Ernest and William Hillary) and three girls (Winifred Martha,
May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

  At his age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in Plainview 5 years, Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year.  When Ernest enrolled in Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there and attended the University of Minnesota Farm School. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things.

In the spring of 1908, Ernest rented the old Andrew Clay farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota and in the spring of 1911, moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards.  Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.  They may married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy.  That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy.  In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State.  He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home.  In July 1943, Della  and their four girls still at home joined him via train.  The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

In 1966, Ernest completed another home adjacent to the first home; he and Della moved into it and sold the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many
large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens'
weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous
grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days
and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees
growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of
gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.
When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself
in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della
then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be
cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was
fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area
until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to
this day and are fondly remembered by all.

As a young boy, Ernie and his siblings (Winnie, May, Will, and
Edith) sang often in church, even as a quintet.

Ernie's daughter Coline tells of him often singing the old hymn to
his quarreling children, "Angry Words, Oh Let them Never... From
Thy Tongue, Unbridled Slip."

Ernest's grandson Ernie (Grace's son) remembers Ernest singing a
song that started out like this...

Coming down from Bangor on a pullman train
from a six-weeks outing in the wilds of Maine
whiskers quite extensive, light mustache as well...
There are many variations of this song, but here is the one that
seems to be most common. As a granddaughter of Ernest, Coline's
daughter Pam can imagine him singing this, complete with a
twinkle in his eye...
RIDING DOWN FROM BANGOR
Riding down from Bangor on an eastern train
After weeks of hunting in the woods of Maine,
Quite extensive whiskers, beard, mustache as well,
Sat a student fellow, tall and slim and swell,
Empty seat behind him, no one at his side.
Into quiet village eastern train did glide.
Enter aged couple, take the hindmost seat.
Enter village maiden, beautiful, petite.

Blushingly she faltered, "Is this seat engaged?"
Sees the aged couple, properly enraged
Student's quite ecstatic, sees her ticket through
Thinks of the long tunnel, thinks what he will do.
Pleasantly they chatted. How the cinders fly!
Till the student fellow gets one in his eye.
Maiden, sympathetic, turns herself about.
"May I, if you please, sir, try to get it out?"
Then the student fellow feels a gentle touch,
Hears a gentle murmur, "Does it hurt you much?"
Whiz! Slap! Bang! Into tunnel quite,
Into glorious darkness, black as Egypt's night.
Out into the daylight glides that eastern train.
Student's hair is ruffled just the merest grain.
Maiden seen all blushes when then and there appeared
A tiny little earring in that horrid student's beard.

Ernest's grandaughter Phyllis (Mary Louise's daughter) remembers
a few of the things her Grandpa loved, like "hot oatmeal with
butter in the morning? and his garden, especially the strawberries - wait, that was Phyllis that liked the strawberries! She remembers
him singing hymns, especially "I Come to the Garden Alone." And
that he loved parakeets; she remembers how he used to talk to
them & let them fly around the house and how sad he was when
Tweetie (she thinks that was the bird's name!) flew out the
window..."

Ernest always had a wonderful garden, and grew lovely gladiolas
just outside the basement kitchen window in the new home in
Alderwood Manor, WA.
He loved to play dominos!
Ernie was an excellent domino player... 
GILLIS, Ernest Benjamin (I7)
 
192 Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. Ernest was the son of the Reverend William McNab Gillis and
Mary Elizabeth Codville . He was one of five children ? two boys (Ernest and William Hillary) and three girls (Winifred Martha, May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

At his age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in Plainview 5 years, Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year. When Ernest enrolled in Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there and attended the University of Minnesota Farm School. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things.

In the spring of 1908, Ernest rented the old Andrew Clay farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota and in the spring of 1911, moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time. They may married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State. He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home. In July 1943, Della and their four girls still at home joined him via train. The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

In 1966, Ernest completed another home adjacent to the first home; he and Della moved into it and sold the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens' weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.
When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself
in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della
then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be
cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was
fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area
until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to
this day and are fondly remembered by all.

As a young boy, Ernie and his siblings (Winnie, May, Will, and Edith) sang often in church, even as a quintet.

Ernie's daughter Coline tells of him often singing the old hymn to his quarreling children, "Angry Words, Oh Let them Never... From Thy Tongue, Unbridled Slip."

Ernest's grandson Ernie (Grace's son) remembers Ernest singing a song that started out like this...

Coming down from Bangor on a pullman train from a six-weeks outing in the wilds of Maine whiskers quite extensive, light mustache as well...
There are many variations of this song, but here is the one that seems to be most common. As a granddaughter of Ernest, Coline's daughter Pam can imagine him singing this, complete with a
twinkle in his eye...

RIDING DOWN FROM BANGOR
Riding down from Bangor on an eastern train
After weeks of hunting in the woods of Maine,
Quite extensive whiskers, beard, mustache as well,
Sat a student fellow, tall and slim and swell,
Empty seat behind him, no one at his side.
Into quiet village eastern train did glide.
Enter aged couple, take the hindmost seat.
Enter village maiden, beautiful, petite.

Blushingly she faltered, "Is this seat engaged?"
Sees the aged couple, properly enraged
Student's quite ecstatic, sees her ticket through
Thinks of the long tunnel, thinks what he will do.
Pleasantly they chatted. How the cinders fly!
Till the student fellow gets one in his eye.
Maiden, sympathetic, turns herself about.
"May I, if you please, sir, try to get it out?"
Then the student fellow feels a gentle touch,
Hears a gentle murmur, "Does it hurt you much?"
Whiz! Slap! Bang! Into tunnel quite,
Into glorious darkness, black as Egypt's night.
Out into the daylight glides that eastern train.
Student's hair is ruffled just the merest grain.
Maiden seen all blushes when then and there appeared
A tiny little earring in that horrid student's beard.

Ernest's grandaughter Phyllis (Mary Louise's daughter) remembers a few of the things her Grandpa loved, like "hot oatmeal with butter in the morning? and his garden, especially the strawberries - wait, that was Phyllis that liked the strawberries! She remembers him singing hymns, especially "I Come to the Garden Alone." And that he loved parakeets; she remembers how he used to talk to
them & let them fly around the house and how sad he was when Tweetie (she thinks that was the bird's name!) flew out the window..."

Ernest always had a wonderful garden, and grew lovely gladiolas just outside the basement kitchen window in the new home in Alderwood Manor, WA.
He loved to play dominos! Ernie was an excellent domino player... 
Gillis, Ernest Benjamin (I7)
 
193 Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. Ernest was the son of the Reverend William McNab Gillis and Mary Elizabeth Codville. He was one of five children ? two boys (Ernest and William Hillery) and three girls (Winifred Martha, May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

Photo of Ernest
Ernest as a young boy
At age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in the town of Plainview for 5 years, then Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year. The family moved often because Ernest's father, William McNab Gillis, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and as such, would be assigned different churches.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest as a young adult
Ernest began attending Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things. Ernest enrolled in the University of Minnesota Farm School to became a farmer. After graduation, in the spring of 1908, he rented and farmed the old Andrew Clay Farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota.

Photo of Ernest
Della and Ernest
shortly after their wedding
In the spring of 1911, Ernest moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time. They married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in William's home.

Photo of Ernest
Ernie and Della's first farm
Della was born on 23 Oct 1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, and died at her youngest daughter's home 01 May 1983 in Snohomish, Washington. Della was the daughter of Edward Edwards, a teamster, and Agnes Elizabeth Jardine.

Photo of Ernest
Grace and Neil in front of new house
In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy, MN. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. Later in March 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest holding Grace
Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State, making a major change in his life and that of Della and the remaining children at home. He successfully found work out West thanks in part to the War effort and the many jobs in the Seattle area (such as the Boeing plant - aircraft construction etc.); and while there, he right away bought 5 acres of land in the town of Alderwood Manor, Washington, some 15 miles north of Seattle off Highway 99. He (of course) started fruit orchards, gardens, and began some farming while building a new home for his family. By this time, Ernest and Della had had 11 wonderful children, four of whom were still living at home and in July 1943, Della and their four girls who were still at home joined him via a long train trip. Once they arrived together in Alderwood Manor, the family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest and Della, in MN
Later on, in 1966 at age 78, Ernest completed a second home on the Alderwood Manor property, adjacent to the first home. He and Della moved into it and rented out the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest and Della's 25th Anniversary
House in Balaton, MN
Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens' weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.

When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to this day and are fondly remembered by all. 
Family F4
 
194 Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. Ernest was the son of the Reverend William McNab Gillis and Mary Elizabeth Codville. He was one of five children ?   two boys (Ernest and William Hillery) and three girls (Winifred Martha, May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

Photo of Ernest
Ernest as a young boy
At age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in the town of Plainview for 5 years, then Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year. The family moved often because Ernest's father, William McNab Gillis, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and as such, would be assigned different churches.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest as a young adult
Ernest began attending Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things. Ernest enrolled in the University of Minnesota Farm School to became a farmer. After graduation, in the spring of 1908, he rented and farmed the old Andrew Clay Farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota.

Photo of Ernest
Della and Ernest
shortly after their wedding
In the spring of 1911, Ernest moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time. They married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in William's home.

Photo of Ernest
Ernie and Della's first farm
Della was born on 23 Oct 1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, and died at her youngest daughter's home 01 May 1983 in Snohomish, Washington. Della was the daughter of Edward Edwards, a teamster, and Agnes Elizabeth Jardine.

Photo of Ernest
Grace and Neil in front of new house
In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy, MN. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. Later in March 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest holding Grace
Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State, making a major change in his life and that of Della and the remaining children at home. He successfully found work out West thanks in part to the War effort and the many jobs in the Seattle area (such as the Boeing plant - aircraft construction etc.); and while there, he right away bought 5 acres of land in the town of Alderwood Manor, Washington, some 15 miles north of Seattle off Highway 99. He (of course) started fruit orchards, gardens, and began some farming while building a new home for his family. By this time, Ernest and Della had had 11 wonderful children, four of whom were still living at home and in July 1943, Della and their four girls who were still at home joined him via a long train trip. Once they arrived together in Alderwood Manor, the family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest and Della, in MN
Later on, in 1966 at age 78, Ernest completed a second home on the Alderwood Manor property, adjacent to the first home. He and Della moved into it and rented out the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

Photo of Ernest
Ernest and Della's 25th Anniversary
House in Balaton, MN
Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens' weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.

When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to this day and are fondly remembered by all. 
Family F4
 
195 Ernest's father, the Reverend William McNab Gillis, was born on 20 May 1845, the eighth of fifteen children (some records say May 7, 1843, some say 1846) in Inverness, Megantic County, Quebec, Canada (at Gillis Corners), the son of John William and Nancy (Robinson) Gillis. He was baptized June 26, 1843 Methodist Church, (Ireland). William's middle name, McNab, is likely in remembrance of the maiden name of his great-grandmother, Olive McNab, who married his great-grandfather Robert Gillis in Ireland in the 1700s.

William McNabb Gillis spent his early life on his parent's farm. His parents were of sturdy Scots Irish stock, pioneers in the new country, and were sincere, devout Christians. These traits made a deep impression on William.

William became a teacher in his home village school. He later went to an academy in Montpelier, Vermont, where with hard work and perseverance he was able to work his way through academy and then college. He graduated in 1876 from Wesleyan University in Middleton, Connecticut.

William married Mary Elizabeth Codville on April 24, 1877 at 3pm in the afternoon in the home of
Mary's brother, John James Codville, in Quebec City. The service was performed by the Reverend H. E. Blaud. Their honeymoon consisted of a trip to Rutland, Vermont at which time William was accepted into the Vermont Conference of the Methodist-Episcopal Church.

Mary Elizabeth Codville was born on 11 September 1849 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, the daughter of Hilary Codville and Mary Ann Robinson. The details of how the couple met are unclear but Mary's mother, Mary Ann, had a brother who lived in Inverness and it is possible that William's mother, Nancy (Robinson) Gillis may also be related to Mary Ann. In addition, William's father worked for a Quebec merchant when he and Nancy first arrived in Canada, who may well have been Hilary Codville.

William's first appointment was to the Methodist-Episcopal Church at Landgrove, Vermont and there the couple's first child, Winifred, was born in 1878. The next year, daughter May joined the family.The1879 Springfield District of the Vermont Annual Conference reported that William was assigned to Landgrove and Peru, VT. In 1880 he was listed as on probation (which means not yet ordained) and serving in Wardsboro, VT. It was in Wardsboro that the couple welcomed their first son, William Hilary in 1881 which also was the year that William was admitted to full connection ad Deacon (first stage of ordination) at the Vermont Annual conference. In July of 1882, daughter Edith was born in Wardsboro.

Also that year (1882), William was assigned to Mechanicsville and Cuttingsville, VT to develop a church community and in 1883 it was reported that special revival services were held at the new Mechanicsville church under the direction of pastor Bro. Gillis, resulting in the conversion and addition to the church (on probation) twelve promising members. At the annual conference in 1883, William was designated as Elder.

The 1885 report states: " Mechanicsville and Cuttingsville, VT By reading the early history of Methodism in preparing a centennial sermon, Bro. Gillis of Mechanicsville charge, received a feverish inspiration for soul-saving and in the Autumn, inviting his church to join him, he began meetings in a neighborhood where a revival of religion was greatly needed, and continued these meetings thirteen weeks. A glorious revival was the resumed; adding fifty or more probationers to the church, most of them adults, and heads of families." And the annual report of 1886: "The work on the Mechanicsville and Cuttingsville charge has been strengthened and enlarged by the earnest labors of the pastor, W.M. Gillis, the Cuttingsville appointment and vicinity in Shrewsbury, sharing more largely in a revival interest than during the previous year."

William was assigned to West Fairlee, Post Mills, and Ely, VT in 1887, then transferred to a small church in South Royalton, Vermont where William and Mary welcomed their last child, Ernest Benjamin, in 1888. According to the book, "History of Royalton, Vermont," the Methodists had a building in South Royalton in 1851 which they shared at first with the Universalists. It was later completely rebuilt in 1890. As of 2002, the building was closed, but the church parsonage still stood where the Gillis family lived during William's assignment.
T he 1890 Vermont Conference annual report states: "In June last the church at South Royalton, which had been entirely remodeled under the management of Pastor Gillis, was reopened with appropriate services. Rev. W.I Haven accepted an invitation to preach on the occasion."

William served as pastor in South Royalton until early summer in 1891 when he transferred to the Minnesota Conference of the Church, where he held pastorates at Plainview (5 years), then Pine Island. During William's service at Pine Island, the Methodist church was rebuilt. The festivities in April of 1900 celebrated the efforts of William, the building committee, and the congregation.

William and Mary celebrated their silver 25th wedding anniversary at Pine Island, MN. The Church there held a surprise reception for them. They knew nothing of the preparations until entering the church for what they had supposed was a weekly prayer meeting service. They found waiting for them not only a large audience of their own townspeople, but friends and relatives from a distance. The church was decorated with flowers, and short addresses were given by visiting ministers. Afterwards, friends gathered around to congratulate the couple and extend good wishes. Among many beautiful presents were a silver gold lined water set, fruit basket, cake basket, two sets of spoons, and 25 silver dollars. After the greeting, the company retired to the church parlors where light refreshments were served.

William later served in Fairmont, MN, then Rushmore, MN, and was assigned to Walnut Grove (Redwood County, MN) in 1907. The English-speaking Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Walnut Grove in the summer of 1873. They built their first church in 1881-1882, dedicated in 1903. The Methodist Episcopal Church in Walnut Grove continues today as the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church. William served at Walnut Grove until 1915 when he retired from the ministry.

After his retirement, William and Mary moved to Windom, Minnesota, to be near William's brother, Rev. B. C. Gillis, who was then pastor of the Windom Methodist-Episcopal Church. In that church, William served as superintendent of the Sunday School, and as an efficient friend and advisor for his brother. He was also active in all of the local and civic affairs of the community.

William was loved and honored in every pastoral charge he served, and under his guidance four churches were built or remodeled. During the 38 years of his effective ministry, he never missed an appointment through sickness and not until he was over 81 years old was his natural strength abated.

The couple celebrated their golden 50th wedding anniversary in a quiet way in their home on Sunday, April 24, 1927, leaving the large celebration over until Monday, to not hinder in any way the Sunday worship. That Sunday morning, it was William's privilege to baptize three of his own grandchildren, including Winnifred May (6 weeks old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Thompson), and Robert and Phyllis, children of his own son Ernest Benjamin, of Balaton, Minnesota. The church pastor, on behalf of the congregation, presented William and Mary with a bouquet of 50 red rose buds, thus in a small way showing the love and esteem in which the couple were held. On Monday at 1:00pm, at the Gillis home, an anniversary dinner was attended by all of their children. That evening, their daughter Edith (Mrs. J. O. Thompson) held a reception, attended by many friends. Most of the evening's entertainment was furnished by the talented family members, and included musical numbers with solos, duets, and a quartet composed of the four children with Edith at the piano. The Rev. Dr. Runkle, the district superintendent, gave several amusing readings. The guests presented a purse of gold to the honored guests as a token of their friendship; many letters and telegrams of congratulations were received.

William attributed his success in the ministry and the happiness if life in large part to his helpmeet, Mary. She was a quiet person but the best of wives and mothers, her circle chiefly being her family and her church. She was devoted to her home and to her loved ones. One of her greatest joys in life was in contributing to missions.

William was the type of man that his daily life preached the gospel more powerfully than it could have ever been preached from the pulpit. One of his favorite verses of Scripture was "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee", from the book of Psalms. Having served the Methodist Church as both beloved pastor and a friend of many people, he was always deeply respected in his local community.

William died at home on Sunday, July 1, 1928. He had been confined to his bed for over 2 weeks, due to an attack of heart trouble and followed a spell of the grippe. He was 83.

Mary passed away at age 90 on April 22, 1940. After William's death, and despite her advancing age, she kept up her own home, living there in summers and spending winters with her daughters also living in Windom. She died at her daughter Edith's home, after a 2-week illness.

_______

!BIRTH-CHRISTENING: Paul Vachon, THE ANGLO-PROTESTANTS OF MEGANTIC COUNTY,
Repertory of Births, Marriages, and Burials; 1826-1991; Societe Genealogigue
de la region de l'Amiante, Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, 1992, Pub. No. 5;
Births p101;US/CAN 971.4575 K2r,Fiche 6125775,LDS FHL Salt Lake City UT; NOTE:
"(bapt) 12/03/1849 GILLIS, William Nab.
(born) 29/04/1846 William (fa) & Nancy ROBINSON Inv.
bapt.: Methodist Church (Ireland)"

M210-2-000765 back of Twelfth leaf

"William Nab son of William Gillis
of the Township of Inverness Farmer
and of Nancy Robinson his wife
was born on the Twenty Ninth day of
April in the year of our Lord one Thou
sand Eight Hundred and Forty Six and
was baptized on this Twelfth day of
March in the year one thousand Eight
Hundred and Forty three in the presence
of the subscribing witnesses by me
R A Handry
Clerk
William Gillis
Samuel Robinson" 
Gillis, Rev. William McNab (I34)
 
196 Esther was married to Jean Coteville and lived in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands. They have one son that we know of, Jean Quetteville. Guille, Esther (I778)
 
197 Esther was married to Jean Coteville and lived in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands. They have one son that we know of, Jean Quetteville. GUILLE, Esther (I778)
 
198 Ezra Healy Brown is a 9th generation direct descendant of Pilgrims Francis Cooke and Richard Warren of the Mayflower.

Ezra and Catherine resided in Detroit, Michigan 
BROWN, Ezra Healy Phmb (I615)
 
199 Ezra Healy Brown is a 9th generation direct descendant of Pilgrims Francis Cooke and Richard Warren of the Mayflower.

Ezra Healy Brown graduated from the College of Pharmacy and the Ontario Optical Institute of Canada and located his store at 156 Pitt Street, Cornwall in 1882. He sold a variety of drugs, chemicals, medicines, perfumes, toilet articles and fancy goods. As well her carried and fitted customers with a wide array of glasses and spectacles. The 1901 CORNWALL STANDARD advertised:

Special preparations of Mr. Brown's are the Jubilee Plain Magic, for
both internal and external use, which is particularly for recommended
for diarrhea, cholera morbus, summer complaint, pains in the stomach
and bowels, etc. also Fragrant Rosaderma, the most elegant and
delicate preparation for the skin ever invented; Brown's Family Cough
and Asthma Cure; the Magic Liniment for rheumatism, neuralgia, frost
bites, sprains, North American Stomach and Live Tonic for indigestion and
dyspepsia, etc.

https://cornwallcommunitymuseum.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/artifact-of-the-week-amber-medicine-bottle-e-h-brown-druggist-cornwall-ontario/ 
Brown, Ezra Healy Phmb (I615)
 
200 Ezra was 3 years old, born in 1858 in Ontario. Religion was WM.
Edwardsburgh Township 
Brown, Ezra Healy Phmb (I615)
 

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