*** U.S. Veteran - U.S. Civil War ***
COMPANY A, 8TH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, PRIVATE
ANDREW H. GILLIES, who is a member of the firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Co., is engaged in the planing mill and lumber business on West earsley Street. The firm consists of Mr. Beardslee, our subject and r. Charles H. W. Conover. They have been in this business since 1865 and have carried it on in Flint since 1870, the firm name having been the same since 1867, and they are now the oldest dealers in Flint, continuing under the same name and dealing extensively in lumber.
Mr. Gillies was born in the city of New York, November 2, 1835, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies. When this son was quite young the family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and thence to Genesee County, when he was four years old. The father had died in Ohio, and the family settled in what is now Flint Township. The country school and the farm provided the education and training for this youth and he remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Andrew Gillies enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and was at once sent South with Sherman and was with him at the battle of Coosaw River, and at the capture of Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Island and James Island. His regiment was then sent North to join McClellan and was under Burnside at redericksburg, the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. They then went to Kentucky and were present at Vicksburg with Grant and also at Jackson, Miss., and then returned to Kentucky and East Tennessee, being present at the siege of Knoxville. He then re-enlisted and became a part of theArmy of the Potomac, under Grant, and went with through the campaign of 1864 as far as Weldon Road and was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C. He joined his regiment in April, 1865, and was mustered out with them with the rank of First Lieutenant. His service extended over four years, lacking seven days.
Upon his return to Flint Mr. Gillies located in the city and engaged in business with Mr. Beardslee, buying out another partner, who had been with that gentleman. At that time the outfit consisted of only a small mill which had just been fitted up with one planer. During the quarter of a century since this partnership began, great improvements have been made in planers and they now run several of these machines of a highly improved character and keep in their employ twenty-five men, doing a large business in their line.
Our subject was one of the organizers of the People's Electric Light Company, of Flint, of which he is the Vice-President and he was one of the early promoters of the building of the Music Hall, generously taking stock when others hesitated as to the advisability of doing this, and he is deeply interested in city real estate.
Mr. Gillies was married February 22, 1864, to Marcia, daughter of Morgan (Marvin) B. Persons, of Flint Township, and they have three children: their son, Marvin P., who is now in the Upper Peninsula; and two daughters, Anna and Lulu, who are at home. They are members of the
Presbyterian Church in which they are highly esteemed for their character and work, and Mr. Gillies is a prominent member of the Masonic order.
~~~~
From the book: History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, By Edwin Orin Wood, William Vernon Smith:
The name of Andrew Hyslop Gillies, one of the venerable and honored citizens of Flint, needs no introduction by the biographer to the people of Genesee county, where he has long been a potent factor in industrial, civic and moral affairs. He was born at what was known as the Five Points in the city of New York, November 2, 1833, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies, natives of Scotland and New York, respectively. His birth occurred on June 14, 1798, and her birth occurred on October 28, 1808. They were married on November 16, 1825, and their children were named as follow: Robert Bruce, born October 10, 1826; Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1828; William Wallace
, born August 3, 1829; Margaret J., born March 20, 1832; Andrew Hyslop, of this sketch: Henrietta, born December 29, 1835; Helen M., born February 27, 1837; Martin Vanburen, born November 30, 1838. The father of these children came to America when a young man with two of his cousins, Andrew Hyslop and John Lowrey. They located in New York City, where Mr. Gillies followed his trade of carpentering, and there he was married and most of his children were born there. He finally removed with his family to Ohio, locating near Port Clinton in 1834, and there kept a general store, his death occurring there on April 6, 1838. at the early age of thirty-nine years and ten months. His wife also died young, in June, 1844, when only thirty-three years of age. After the death of their parents. Andrew H. Gillies and his sister, Margaret J., went to live with their uncle, Andrew Hyslop. The daughter lived with the uncle until she was married and Andrew H. lived with him until his twentyseventh year, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company A, Eighth Michigan Yoluntcer Infantry, under Col. William M. Fenton, and served gallantly four years. He went out as a private, but for meritorious conduct was promoted to sergeant and on up to the rank of first lieutenant. He never sought promotion. He was never under civil or military guard, but always had the confidence and good will of his superior officers and the love of his men. He was struck by bullets and shells six different times, the last time by a bullet which passed through his right foot, which caused him to spend eight months in the hospital. He was in many important battles. Soon after he enlisted he was sent into South Carolina with the first expedition, and was afterwards in the Army of the Potomac, in Virginia and in the Maryland campaigns. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home. When a small boy, in 1839, he and his sister, Margaret, and their uncle, Andrew, came to Genesee county, going by boat from Port Clinton, Ohio, to Detroit, and from there by wagon, after stopping one week in Detroit. They came to Pontiac. the first day and from there to Flint the next day, stopping over night at John Todd's tavern, then crossed Thread creek and went down Flint river, it being necessary for James Cronk to cut away the brush and make a road for them up the bank. They settled five miles down the river, in Flint township, where the uncle had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which lay along the river, the uncle erecting his house half a mile from the river. John Greenfield, a Scotchman, with whom they had stopped while in Detroit, owned a piece of land adjoining this, and they lived in the Greenfield house while erecting their own, dwelling. After moving onto the Hyslop farm, Andrew H. Gillies made that his home until he went to the front with the army. He had owned a farm of forty acres before the war, which he sold after coming back home. He then bought a lumber yard, planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory in Flint, which he operated until 1896, and then, on account of the feeble physical condition of Mrs. Gillies following a stroke of apoplexy, he turned over to other parties his factory and spent the next five years in attendance, day and night, on Mrs. Gillies, or until her death. He has since merely looked after his various property interests. He sold his old home in Smith street and purchased his present dwelling in Clifford street, which he remodeled. Mr. Gillies was married on February 22, 1864, to Marcia Persons, a daughter of Marvin B. and Sophia Ann (Harmon) Persons. To this unionfour children were born, namely: Marvin P., Anna Louise, Luella and an infant that died unnamed. Marvin P. Gillies lives in Detroit, is married and in business. Anna Louise Gillies is an accomplished musician and has a state-wide reputation as a vocalist and harpist. The beginning of her concert career was as sopranr i'-:*' the Heberlein Concert Company, composed of Herr Herman Heberlein, 'cellist; Katherine Ruth Heyman, pianiste, and herself, which toured the United States and Canada. During her musical career of many years she has held prominent positions as soloist in churches, being soloist of the First Presbyterian church of Flint for a period of eleven years consecutively. Following this position she became soloist in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flint. Miss Gillies has always stood for the highest form of art in music and, through her management, many celebrated musicians, both in this country and from abroad, have been brought to Flint for public appearances.
Luella Gillies is deceased. She was the wife of Clinton Roberts, one of the prominent attorneys of Flint. They had three sons, Russell Clinton Roberts, David Gillies Roberts and Francis Lloyd Roberts.
Mrs. Marcia P. Gillies died, January 24, 1902, at the age of fifty-seven years, after an illness of over five years. She and her husband were for several years identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but later with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gillies was a trustee in both the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. He belongs to Flint Lodge No. 23. Free and Accepted Masons, having been made a Mason in 1864. He is also a memher of Governor Crapo Post No. 145, Grand Army of the Republic. He was brought up a Democrat, but is now an independent Republican.
Mrs. Gillies was born on her father's farm in Flint township. Her parents, Marvin B. Persons and Sophia Louise Harmon, were pioneers in Genesee county and died at their home here. They had six children, namely: David, James H, Marcia, Betsey, Labre M., and Sophia Persons Moon, of Galveston, Texas.
COMPANY A, 8TH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, PRIVATE
ANDREW H. GILLIES, who is a member of the firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Co., is engaged in the planing mill and lumber business on West earsley Street. The firm consists of Mr. Beardslee, our subject and r. Charles H. W. Conover. They have been in this business since 1865 and have carried it on in Flint since 1870, the firm name having been the same since 1867, and they are now the oldest dealers in Flint, continuing under the same name and dealing extensively in lumber.
Mr. Gillies was born in the city of New York, November 2, 1835, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies. When this son was quite young the family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and thence to Genesee County, when he was four years old. The father had died in Ohio, and the family settled in what is now Flint Township. The country school and the farm provided the education and training for this youth and he remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Andrew Gillies enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and was at once sent South with Sherman and was with him at the battle of Coosaw River, and at the capture of Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Island and James Island. His regiment was then sent North to join McClellan and was under Burnside at redericksburg, the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. They then went to Kentucky and were present at Vicksburg with Grant and also at Jackson, Miss., and then returned to Kentucky and East Tennessee, being present at the siege of Knoxville. He then re-enlisted and became a part of theArmy of the Potomac, under Grant, and went with through the campaign of 1864 as far as Weldon Road and was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C. He joined his regiment in April, 1865, and was mustered out with them with the rank of First Lieutenant. His service extended over four years, lacking seven days.
Upon his return to Flint Mr. Gillies located in the city and engaged in business with Mr. Beardslee, buying out another partner, who had been with that gentleman. At that time the outfit consisted of only a small mill which had just been fitted up with one planer. During the quarter of a century since this partnership began, great improvements have been made in planers and they now run several of these machines of a highly improved character and keep in their employ twenty-five men, doing a large business in their line.
Our subject was one of the organizers of the People's Electric Light Company, of Flint, of which he is the Vice-President and he was one of the early promoters of the building of the Music Hall, generously taking stock when others hesitated as to the advisability of doing this, and he is deeply interested in city real estate.
Mr. Gillies was married February 22, 1864, to Marcia, daughter of Morgan (Marvin) B. Persons, of Flint Township, and they have three children: their son, Marvin P., who is now in the Upper Peninsula; and two daughters, Anna and Lulu, who are at home. They are members of the
Presbyterian Church in which they are highly esteemed for their character and work, and Mr. Gillies is a prominent member of the Masonic order.
~~~~
From the book: History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, By Edwin Orin Wood, William Vernon Smith:
The name of Andrew Hyslop Gillies, one of the venerable and honored citizens of Flint, needs no introduction by the biographer to the people of Genesee county, where he has long been a potent factor in industrial, civic and moral affairs. He was born at what was known as the Five Points in the city of New York, November 2, 1833, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies, natives of Scotland and New York, respectively. His birth occurred on June 14, 1798, and her birth occurred on October 28, 1808. They were married on November 16, 1825, and their children were named as follow: Robert Bruce, born October 10, 1826; Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1828; William Wallace
, born August 3, 1829; Margaret J., born March 20, 1832; Andrew Hyslop, of this sketch: Henrietta, born December 29, 1835; Helen M., born February 27, 1837; Martin Vanburen, born November 30, 1838. The father of these children came to America when a young man with two of his cousins, Andrew Hyslop and John Lowrey. They located in New York City, where Mr. Gillies followed his trade of carpentering, and there he was married and most of his children were born there. He finally removed with his family to Ohio, locating near Port Clinton in 1834, and there kept a general store, his death occurring there on April 6, 1838. at the early age of thirty-nine years and ten months. His wife also died young, in June, 1844, when only thirty-three years of age. After the death of their parents. Andrew H. Gillies and his sister, Margaret J., went to live with their uncle, Andrew Hyslop. The daughter lived with the uncle until she was married and Andrew H. lived with him until his twentyseventh year, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company A, Eighth Michigan Yoluntcer Infantry, under Col. William M. Fenton, and served gallantly four years. He went out as a private, but for meritorious conduct was promoted to sergeant and on up to the rank of first lieutenant. He never sought promotion. He was never under civil or military guard, but always had the confidence and good will of his superior officers and the love of his men. He was struck by bullets and shells six different times, the last time by a bullet which passed through his right foot, which caused him to spend eight months in the hospital. He was in many important battles. Soon after he enlisted he was sent into South Carolina with the first expedition, and was afterwards in the Army of the Potomac, in Virginia and in the Maryland campaigns. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home. When a small boy, in 1839, he and his sister, Margaret, and their uncle, Andrew, came to Genesee county, going by boat from Port Clinton, Ohio, to Detroit, and from there by wagon, after stopping one week in Detroit. They came to Pontiac. the first day and from there to Flint the next day, stopping over night at John Todd's tavern, then crossed Thread creek and went down Flint river, it being necessary for James Cronk to cut away the brush and make a road for them up the bank. They settled five miles down the river, in Flint township, where the uncle had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which lay along the river, the uncle erecting his house half a mile from the river. John Greenfield, a Scotchman, with whom they had stopped while in Detroit, owned a piece of land adjoining this, and they lived in the Greenfield house while erecting their own, dwelling. After moving onto the Hyslop farm, Andrew H. Gillies made that his home until he went to the front with the army. He had owned a farm of forty acres before the war, which he sold after coming back home. He then bought a lumber yard, planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory in Flint, which he operated until 1896, and then, on account of the feeble physical condition of Mrs. Gillies following a stroke of apoplexy, he turned over to other parties his factory and spent the next five years in attendance, day and night, on Mrs. Gillies, or until her death. He has since merely looked after his various property interests. He sold his old home in Smith street and purchased his present dwelling in Clifford street, which he remodeled. Mr. Gillies was married on February 22, 1864, to Marcia Persons, a daughter of Marvin B. and Sophia Ann (Harmon) Persons. To this unionfour children were born, namely: Marvin P., Anna Louise, Luella and an infant that died unnamed. Marvin P. Gillies lives in Detroit, is married and in business. Anna Louise Gillies is an accomplished musician and has a state-wide reputation as a vocalist and harpist. The beginning of her concert career was as sopranr i'-:*' the Heberlein Concert Company, composed of Herr Herman Heberlein, 'cellist; Katherine Ruth Heyman, pianiste, and herself, which toured the United States and Canada. During her musical career of many years she has held prominent positions as soloist in churches, being soloist of the First Presbyterian church of Flint for a period of eleven years consecutively. Following this position she became soloist in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flint. Miss Gillies has always stood for the highest form of art in music and, through her management, many celebrated musicians, both in this country and from abroad, have been brought to Flint for public appearances.
Luella Gillies is deceased. She was the wife of Clinton Roberts, one of the prominent attorneys of Flint. They had three sons, Russell Clinton Roberts, David Gillies Roberts and Francis Lloyd Roberts.
Mrs. Marcia P. Gillies died, January 24, 1902, at the age of fifty-seven years, after an illness of over five years. She and her husband were for several years identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but later with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gillies was a trustee in both the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. He belongs to Flint Lodge No. 23. Free and Accepted Masons, having been made a Mason in 1864. He is also a memher of Governor Crapo Post No. 145, Grand Army of the Republic. He was brought up a Democrat, but is now an independent Republican.
Mrs. Gillies was born on her father's farm in Flint township. Her parents, Marvin B. Persons and Sophia Louise Harmon, were pioneers in Genesee county and died at their home here. They had six children, namely: David, James H, Marcia, Betsey, Labre M., and Sophia Persons Moon, of Galveston, Texas.
*** U.S. Veteran - U.S. Civil War ***
COMPANY A, 8TH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, PRIVATE
ANDREW H. GILLIES, who is a member of the firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Co., is engaged in the planing mill and lumber business on West earsley Street. The firm consists of Mr. Beardslee, our subject and r. Charles H. W. Conover. They have been in this business since 1865 and have carried it on in Flint since 1870, the firm name having been the same since 1867, and they are now the oldest dealers in Flint, continuing under the same name and dealing extensively in lumber.
Mr. Gillies was born in the city of New York, November 2, 1835, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies. When this son was quite young the family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and thence to Genesee County, when he was four years old. The father had died in Ohio, and the family settled in what is now Flint Township. The country school and the farm provided the education and training for this youth and he remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Andrew Gillies enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and was at once sent South with Sherman and was with him at the battle of Coosaw River, and at the capture of Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Island and James Island. His regiment was then sent North to join McClellan and was under Burnside at redericksburg, the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. They then went to Kentucky and were present at Vicksburg with Grant and also at Jackson, Miss., and then returned to Kentucky and East Tennessee, being present at the siege of Knoxville. He then re-enlisted and became a part of theArmy of the Potomac, under Grant, and went with through the campaign of 1864 as far as Weldon Road and was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C. He joined his regiment in April, 1865, and was mustered out with them with the rank of First Lieutenant. His service extended over four years, lacking seven days.
Upon his return to Flint Mr. Gillies located in the city and engaged in business with Mr. Beardslee, buying out another partner, who had been with that gentleman. At that time the outfit consisted of only a small mill which had just been fitted up with one planer. During the quarter of a century since this partnership began, great improvements have been made in planers and they now run several of these machines of a highly improved character and keep in their employ twenty-five men, doing a large business in their line.
Our subject was one of the organizers of the People's Electric Light Company, of Flint, of which he is the Vice-President and he was one of the early promoters of the building of the Music Hall, generously taking stock when others hesitated as to the advisability of doing this, and he is deeply interested in city real estate.
Mr. Gillies was married February 22, 1864, to Marcia, daughter of Morgan (Marvin) B. Persons, of Flint Township, and they have three children: their son, Marvin P., who is now in the Upper Peninsula; and two daughters, Anna and Lulu, who are at home. They are members of the
Presbyterian Church in which they are highly esteemed for their character and work, and Mr. Gillies is a prominent member of the Masonic order.
~~~~
From the book: History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, By Edwin Orin Wood, William Vernon Smith:
The name of Andrew Hyslop Gillies, one of the venerable and honored citizens of Flint, needs no introduction by the biographer to the people of Genesee county, where he has long been a potent factor in industrial, civic and moral affairs. He was born at what was known as the Five Points in the city of New York, November 2, 1833, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies, natives of Scotland and New York, respectively. His birth occurred on June 14, 1798, and her birth occurred on October 28, 1808. They were married on November 16, 1825, and their children were named as follow: Robert Bruce, born October 10, 1826; Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1828; William Wallace
, born August 3, 1829; Margaret J., born March 20, 1832; Andrew Hyslop, of this sketch: Henrietta, born December 29, 1835; Helen M., born February 27, 1837; Martin Vanburen, born November 30, 1838. The father of these children came to America when a young man with two of his cousins, Andrew Hyslop and John Lowrey. They located in New York City, where Mr. Gillies followed his trade of carpentering, and there he was married and most of his children were born there. He finally removed with his family to Ohio, locating near Port Clinton in 1834, and there kept a general store, his death occurring there on April 6, 1838. at the early age of thirty-nine years and ten months. His wife also died young, in June, 1844, when only thirty-three years of age. After the death of their parents. Andrew H. Gillies and his sister, Margaret J., went to live with their uncle, Andrew Hyslop. The daughter lived with the uncle until she was married and Andrew H. lived with him until his twentyseventh year, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company A, Eighth Michigan Yoluntcer Infantry, under Col. William M. Fenton, and served gallantly four years. He went out as a private, but for meritorious conduct was promoted to sergeant and on up to the rank of first lieutenant. He never sought promotion. He was never under civil or military guard, but always had the confidence and good will of his superior officers and the love of his men. He was struck by bullets and shells six different times, the last time by a bullet which passed through his right foot, which caused him to spend eight months in the hospital. He was in many important battles. Soon after he enlisted he was sent into South Carolina with the first expedition, and was afterwards in the Army of the Potomac, in Virginia and in the Maryland campaigns. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home. When a small boy, in 1839, he and his sister, Margaret, and their uncle, Andrew, came to Genesee county, going by boat from Port Clinton, Ohio, to Detroit, and from there by wagon, after stopping one week in Detroit. They came to Pontiac. the first day and from there to Flint the next day, stopping over night at John Todd's tavern, then crossed Thread creek and went down Flint river, it being necessary for James Cronk to cut away the brush and make a road for them up the bank. They settled five miles down the river, in Flint township, where the uncle had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which lay along the river, the uncle erecting his house half a mile from the river. John Greenfield, a Scotchman, with whom they had stopped while in Detroit, owned a piece of land adjoining this, and they lived in the Greenfield house while erecting their own, dwelling. After moving onto the Hyslop farm, Andrew H. Gillies made that his home until he went to the front with the army. He had owned a farm of forty acres before the war, which he sold after coming back home. He then bought a lumber yard, planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory in Flint, which he operated until 1896, and then, on account of the feeble physical condition of Mrs. Gillies following a stroke of apoplexy, he turned over to other parties his factory and spent the next five years in attendance, day and night, on Mrs. Gillies, or until her death. He has since merely looked after his various property interests. He sold his old home in Smith street and purchased his present dwelling in Clifford street, which he remodeled. Mr. Gillies was married on February 22, 1864, to Marcia Persons, a daughter of Marvin B. and Sophia Ann (Harmon) Persons. To this unionfour children were born, namely: Marvin P., Anna Louise, Luella and an infant that died unnamed. Marvin P. Gillies lives in Detroit, is married and in business. Anna Louise Gillies is an accomplished musician and has a state-wide reputation as a vocalist and harpist. The beginning of her concert career was as sopranr i'-:*' the Heberlein Concert Company, composed of Herr Herman Heberlein, 'cellist; Katherine Ruth Heyman, pianiste, and herself, which toured the United States and Canada. During her musical career of many years she has held prominent positions as soloist in churches, being soloist of the First Presbyterian church of Flint for a period of eleven years consecutively. Following this position she became soloist in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flint. Miss Gillies has always stood for the highest form of art in music and, through her management, many celebrated musicians, both in this country and from abroad, have been brought to Flint for public appearances.
Luella Gillies is deceased. She was the wife of Clinton Roberts, one of the prominent attorneys of Flint. They had three sons, Russell Clinton Roberts, David Gillies Roberts and Francis Lloyd Roberts.
Mrs. Marcia P. Gillies died, January 24, 1902, at the age of fifty-seven years, after an illness of over five years. She and her husband were for several years identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but later with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gillies was a trustee in both the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. He belongs to Flint Lodge No. 23. Free and Accepted Masons, having been made a Mason in 1864. He is also a memher of Governor Crapo Post No. 145, Grand Army of the Republic. He was brought up a Democrat, but is now an independent Republican.
Mrs. Gillies was born on her father's farm in Flint township. Her parents, Marvin B. Persons and Sophia Louise Harmon, were pioneers in Genesee county and died at their home here. They had six children, namely: David, James H, Marcia, Betsey, Labre M., and Sophia Persons Moon, of Galveston, Texas.
COMPANY A, 8TH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, PRIVATE
ANDREW H. GILLIES, who is a member of the firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Co., is engaged in the planing mill and lumber business on West earsley Street. The firm consists of Mr. Beardslee, our subject and r. Charles H. W. Conover. They have been in this business since 1865 and have carried it on in Flint since 1870, the firm name having been the same since 1867, and they are now the oldest dealers in Flint, continuing under the same name and dealing extensively in lumber.
Mr. Gillies was born in the city of New York, November 2, 1835, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies. When this son was quite young the family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and thence to Genesee County, when he was four years old. The father had died in Ohio, and the family settled in what is now Flint Township. The country school and the farm provided the education and training for this youth and he remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Andrew Gillies enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and was at once sent South with Sherman and was with him at the battle of Coosaw River, and at the capture of Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Island and James Island. His regiment was then sent North to join McClellan and was under Burnside at redericksburg, the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. They then went to Kentucky and were present at Vicksburg with Grant and also at Jackson, Miss., and then returned to Kentucky and East Tennessee, being present at the siege of Knoxville. He then re-enlisted and became a part of theArmy of the Potomac, under Grant, and went with through the campaign of 1864 as far as Weldon Road and was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C. He joined his regiment in April, 1865, and was mustered out with them with the rank of First Lieutenant. His service extended over four years, lacking seven days.
Upon his return to Flint Mr. Gillies located in the city and engaged in business with Mr. Beardslee, buying out another partner, who had been with that gentleman. At that time the outfit consisted of only a small mill which had just been fitted up with one planer. During the quarter of a century since this partnership began, great improvements have been made in planers and they now run several of these machines of a highly improved character and keep in their employ twenty-five men, doing a large business in their line.
Our subject was one of the organizers of the People's Electric Light Company, of Flint, of which he is the Vice-President and he was one of the early promoters of the building of the Music Hall, generously taking stock when others hesitated as to the advisability of doing this, and he is deeply interested in city real estate.
Mr. Gillies was married February 22, 1864, to Marcia, daughter of Morgan (Marvin) B. Persons, of Flint Township, and they have three children: their son, Marvin P., who is now in the Upper Peninsula; and two daughters, Anna and Lulu, who are at home. They are members of the
Presbyterian Church in which they are highly esteemed for their character and work, and Mr. Gillies is a prominent member of the Masonic order.
~~~~
From the book: History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, By Edwin Orin Wood, William Vernon Smith:
The name of Andrew Hyslop Gillies, one of the venerable and honored citizens of Flint, needs no introduction by the biographer to the people of Genesee county, where he has long been a potent factor in industrial, civic and moral affairs. He was born at what was known as the Five Points in the city of New York, November 2, 1833, and is a son of William and Ann (Weeks) Gillies, natives of Scotland and New York, respectively. His birth occurred on June 14, 1798, and her birth occurred on October 28, 1808. They were married on November 16, 1825, and their children were named as follow: Robert Bruce, born October 10, 1826; Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1828; William Wallace
, born August 3, 1829; Margaret J., born March 20, 1832; Andrew Hyslop, of this sketch: Henrietta, born December 29, 1835; Helen M., born February 27, 1837; Martin Vanburen, born November 30, 1838. The father of these children came to America when a young man with two of his cousins, Andrew Hyslop and John Lowrey. They located in New York City, where Mr. Gillies followed his trade of carpentering, and there he was married and most of his children were born there. He finally removed with his family to Ohio, locating near Port Clinton in 1834, and there kept a general store, his death occurring there on April 6, 1838. at the early age of thirty-nine years and ten months. His wife also died young, in June, 1844, when only thirty-three years of age. After the death of their parents. Andrew H. Gillies and his sister, Margaret J., went to live with their uncle, Andrew Hyslop. The daughter lived with the uncle until she was married and Andrew H. lived with him until his twentyseventh year, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company A, Eighth Michigan Yoluntcer Infantry, under Col. William M. Fenton, and served gallantly four years. He went out as a private, but for meritorious conduct was promoted to sergeant and on up to the rank of first lieutenant. He never sought promotion. He was never under civil or military guard, but always had the confidence and good will of his superior officers and the love of his men. He was struck by bullets and shells six different times, the last time by a bullet which passed through his right foot, which caused him to spend eight months in the hospital. He was in many important battles. Soon after he enlisted he was sent into South Carolina with the first expedition, and was afterwards in the Army of the Potomac, in Virginia and in the Maryland campaigns. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home. When a small boy, in 1839, he and his sister, Margaret, and their uncle, Andrew, came to Genesee county, going by boat from Port Clinton, Ohio, to Detroit, and from there by wagon, after stopping one week in Detroit. They came to Pontiac. the first day and from there to Flint the next day, stopping over night at John Todd's tavern, then crossed Thread creek and went down Flint river, it being necessary for James Cronk to cut away the brush and make a road for them up the bank. They settled five miles down the river, in Flint township, where the uncle had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which lay along the river, the uncle erecting his house half a mile from the river. John Greenfield, a Scotchman, with whom they had stopped while in Detroit, owned a piece of land adjoining this, and they lived in the Greenfield house while erecting their own, dwelling. After moving onto the Hyslop farm, Andrew H. Gillies made that his home until he went to the front with the army. He had owned a farm of forty acres before the war, which he sold after coming back home. He then bought a lumber yard, planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory in Flint, which he operated until 1896, and then, on account of the feeble physical condition of Mrs. Gillies following a stroke of apoplexy, he turned over to other parties his factory and spent the next five years in attendance, day and night, on Mrs. Gillies, or until her death. He has since merely looked after his various property interests. He sold his old home in Smith street and purchased his present dwelling in Clifford street, which he remodeled. Mr. Gillies was married on February 22, 1864, to Marcia Persons, a daughter of Marvin B. and Sophia Ann (Harmon) Persons. To this unionfour children were born, namely: Marvin P., Anna Louise, Luella and an infant that died unnamed. Marvin P. Gillies lives in Detroit, is married and in business. Anna Louise Gillies is an accomplished musician and has a state-wide reputation as a vocalist and harpist. The beginning of her concert career was as sopranr i'-:*' the Heberlein Concert Company, composed of Herr Herman Heberlein, 'cellist; Katherine Ruth Heyman, pianiste, and herself, which toured the United States and Canada. During her musical career of many years she has held prominent positions as soloist in churches, being soloist of the First Presbyterian church of Flint for a period of eleven years consecutively. Following this position she became soloist in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flint. Miss Gillies has always stood for the highest form of art in music and, through her management, many celebrated musicians, both in this country and from abroad, have been brought to Flint for public appearances.
Luella Gillies is deceased. She was the wife of Clinton Roberts, one of the prominent attorneys of Flint. They had three sons, Russell Clinton Roberts, David Gillies Roberts and Francis Lloyd Roberts.
Mrs. Marcia P. Gillies died, January 24, 1902, at the age of fifty-seven years, after an illness of over five years. She and her husband were for several years identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but later with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gillies was a trustee in both the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. He belongs to Flint Lodge No. 23. Free and Accepted Masons, having been made a Mason in 1864. He is also a memher of Governor Crapo Post No. 145, Grand Army of the Republic. He was brought up a Democrat, but is now an independent Republican.
Mrs. Gillies was born on her father's farm in Flint township. Her parents, Marvin B. Persons and Sophia Louise Harmon, were pioneers in Genesee county and died at their home here. They had six children, namely: David, James H, Marcia, Betsey, Labre M., and Sophia Persons Moon, of Galveston, Texas.
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