Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 565 - 566 

WILLIAM J. GILCHRIST. Prominent in the history of Sedgwick County are the representative business men and enterprising farmers, and among them is the subject of this personal history. Besides being engaged in the grain and coal business at Valley Center, he is one of the largest and most extensive stock-feeders of the township in which he lives. His home, which is a very handsome one, is situated on section 4, Kechi Township, where he carries on his stock business, both raising cattle, and buying them for the purpose of feeding, using in this manner some 10,000 bushels of corn last year. The grain and coal business he initiated at Valley Center about four years ago.

            Mr. Gilchrist is a native of Logan County, Ill., having been born near the city of Lincoln, June 24, 1847, and is the second child of his parents, James and Jane (Harper) Gilchrist, natives of Scotland. His father was a farmer in "Auld Scotia," who came to the United States about 1844, and settled in Logan County, Ill. The mother of our subject died about the year 1856, and his father was again married, at Atlanta, Logan Co., Ill., in 1866, to Miss E. M. Russell, a native of the Prairie State, who became the mother of two children. His father died in February, 1871.

            Our subject was reared upon his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools of his native county. He remained at home assisting his father in his agricultural labors until attaining young manhood, when he commenced farming on his own account in that State. In April, 1864, although but a youth seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company D, 145th Illinois Infantry, for 100 days, and was mustered into service at Springfield; the regiment was organized for guard and garrison duty to allow the veterans who were performing that branch of the service to go to the front, and the scene of our subject's service was principally in Missouri. After remaining in the army for about five months he was mustered out, and honorably discharged at Springfield, Sept. 1, 1864, and returned to his home.

            Mr. Gilchrist was united in marrige with Miss Ellen M. Prutsman, in Logan County, Ill., Jan. 1, 1865. The lady was born in Fountain County, Ind., Jan. 8, 1846, and is the daughter of Daniel and Smilinda (Sumner) Prutsman, natives of Ohio. After their marriage the young couple settled upon a good farm of 174 acres in Logan County, which belonged to our subject, where they made their home until 1878. In that year, after selling out their property in the Prairie State, they immigrated to Kansas, and located in Sedgwick County. Mr. Gilchrist at once purchased 160 acres of partially improved land on section 4, Kechi Township, where he has ever since resided. He commenced improving the place, erecting a handsome and substantial residence, tasty and commodious barns, and neat out-buildings, and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. He is now the owner of 640 acres of as good land as lies in the county, a portion of which he rents out, the balance sufficing for his own needs. The place is well stocked with Norman, Clyde and Kentucky horses, and high-grade Durham cattle.

            The subject of this sketch is not very active in politics, but usually votes for the candidates offered by the Republican party. He is, however, considerably interested in educational matters, and for some time allowed himself to serve in the office of School Director of the district in which he resides. Both he and his wife are active workers in the religious field, and are consistent and sincere members of the Christian Church, and highly esteemed and respected citizens of the community among which they live. They are the parents of eight children, as follows: Alonzo J., Alva A., Olive Jane. Melinda E., Willie O., Rosa N., Carl F. and Orrilla G. Alonzo is married and lives in Valley Center, where he is in the employ of the railroad company; Alva A. is also married and is living near his parents, engaged in farming. The rest of the children are at home and in attendance at the district school.

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