Ernest Benjamin Gillis Family History
Ernest Benjamin GILLIS[1, 2, 3, 4]
1888 - 1976 (87 years)-
Name Ernest Benjamin GILLIS [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] Born 11 Jul 1888 South Royalton, Windsor, Vermont, USA 
[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] Gender Male Residence 1900 Pine Island Village, Goodhue, Minnesota [12] Residence 1900 Pine Island Village, Goodhue, Minnesota [12] Residence 1910 Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota [13] Residence 1910 Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota [13] Military Draft Registration 1917-1918 Lyon County, Minnesota, United States [15] Name E.B. Name Ernie Residence Redmond [9] Residence Lyon, Minnesota [8] Residence 1920 Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota [10] Residence 1930 Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota [7] _FSFTID LJR1-NW9 _FSLINK https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=LJR1-NW9 _UID 67F79007D7DA44CBAD68DB8B7E1B2CFCF117 Died 13 Mar 1976 Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America [5, 6, 9, 11, 14] Buried Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America [15] Person ID I7 tag3 Last Modified 2 Sep 2018
Father Rev. William McNab GILLIS, b. 20 May 1845, Inverness, Megantic County, Quebec, Canada (Gillis Corners) , d. 1 Jul 1928, Windom, Cottonwood, Minnesota, USA (Age 83 years) Mother Mary Elizabeth CODVILLE, b. 11 Sep 1849, Quebec, , Qu?bec, Canada , d. 22 Apr 1940, Windom, Cottonwood, Minnesota, USA (Age 90 years) Married 24 Apr 1877 Quebec, , Qu?bec, Canada [5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19] - The couple married April 24, 1877 at 3pm in the afternoon in the home of her brother, in Quebec City. The service was performed by the Rev. H. E. Blaud.
Their honeymoon consisted of a trip to Rutland, Vermont, where William was ordained as a minister and received his first appointment to the Methodist-Episcopal Church at Landgrove, Vermont. [5, 6]
Family ID F10 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Della Mae EDWARDS, b. 23 Oct 1895, Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, USA , d. 1 May 1983, Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington, United States Of America (Age 87 years) Married 16 Jul 1914 Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota, USA [5, 6, 14] - 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. [6, 14]
Children 1. Grace May GILLIS, b. 30 Mar 1915, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 10 Jul 1988, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA (Age 73 years)2. William Neil GILLIS, b. 19 Jul 1916, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 16 May 2013, Osakis, Douglas, Minnesota, USA (Age 96 years)3. Mildred Elaine GILLIS, b. 18 Feb 1918, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 4 Jan 2016, West Seattle, WA (Age 97 years)4. Della Marian GILLIS, b. 29 Jan 1920, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 9 Jun 2017, Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America (Age 97 years)5. Marjorie Coline GILLIS, b. 14 May 1921, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 26 Jul 2006, Bremerton, Kitsap, Washington, USA (Age 85 years)6. Robert Ernest GILLIS, b. 31 Aug 1923, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 6 Jul 1994, Ada, Norman, Minnesota, USA (Age 70 years)7. Elizabeth Jean GILLIS, b. 18 Apr 1925, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 23 May 2011, Everett, Snohomish, Washington, United States (Age 86 years)8. Phyllis Erma GILLIS, b. 23 Jul 1926, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 25 Sep 1992, Maltby, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Age 66 years)9. Mary Louise GILLIS, b. 18 Apr 1929, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA , d. 1981, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, USA (Age 51 years)10. Living 11. Living Last Modified 26 May 2014 Family ID F4 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- The couple married April 24, 1877 at 3pm in the afternoon in the home of her brother, in Quebec City. The service was performed by the Rev. H. E. Blaud.
-
Notes - 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... [5, 6]
- Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton,
-
Sources - [S92] .
- [S112] .
- [S162] Ancestry Family Trees (Reliability: 3).
http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=26120745&pid=1782307800 - [S162] Ancestry Family Trees (Reliability: 3).
http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=26120745&pid=1782492286 - [S2] .
- [S68] .
- [S164] Year: 1930; Census Place: Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota; Roll: 1105; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 153.0. (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: abt 1889Birth place: VermontResidence date: 1930Residence place: Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1930usfedcen&h=79148228&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S158] Registration Location: Lyon County, Minnesota; Roll: 1675516; Draft Board: 0. (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: 11 Jul 1888Birth place: VermontResidence date: Residence place: Lyon, Minnesota
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=ww1draft&h=28622825&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S203] (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: abt 1889Birth place: Death date: 13 Mar 1976Death place: KirklandResidence date: Residence place: Redmond
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=washingtondeathindex&h=339661&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S163] Year: 1920; Census Place: Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota; Roll: T625_843; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 102; Image: . (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: abt 1890Birth place: VermontResidence date: 1920Residence place: Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1920usfedcen&h=47515349&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S205] Number: 476-07-5064; Issue State: Minnesota; Issue Date: Before 1951. (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: 11 Jul 1888Birth place: Death date: Mar 1976Death place: Redmond, King, Washington, United States of America
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=ssdi&h=22287697&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S161] Year: 1900; Census Place: Pine Island, Goodhue, Minnesota; Roll: T623_764; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 49. (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: Jul 1888Birth place: VermontResidence date: 1900Residence place: Pine Island Village, Goodhue, Minnesota
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1900usfedcen&h=75969057&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S165] Year: 1910; Census Place: Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: . (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: 1889Birth place: VermontResidence date: 1910Residence place: Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1910uscenindex&h=160040557&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S89] .
- [S225] accessed 19 Aug 2018), entry for Ernest Benjamin GILLIS, person ID LJR1-NW9. (Reliability: 3).
;Contributor: Wikene, brianwikene@gmail.com - [S87] .
- [S202] (Reliability: 3).
Marriage date: 1877Marriage place: Qu?bec (Methodist) (Qu?bec (Wesleyan Methodist Church)), Qu?bec
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=drouinvitals&h=11888242&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S202] (Reliability: 3).
Marriage date: 1877Marriage place: Qu?bec (Methodist) (Qu?bec (Wesleyan Methodist Church)), Qu?bec
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=drouinvitals&h=14458511&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt - [S161] Year: 1900; Census Place: Pine Island, Goodhue, Minnesota; Roll: T623_764; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 49. (Reliability: 3).
Birth date: May 1845Birth place: CanadaMarriage date: 1877Marriage place: Residence date: 1900Residence place: Pine Island Village, Goodhue, MinnesotaArrival date: UnknArrival place:
http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1900usfedcen&h=75969051&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt
- [S92] .