James C. Gillies

JAMES C. GILLIES, a boiler-maker in the shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, at Parsons, Kansas, was born in Marshall, Michigan, in 1863, and is a son of William and Christina (Caldwell) Gillies.

William Gillies was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815. He was reared and schooled in his native town, and when a young man served his apprenticeship as a weaver. Preferring a mechanical line, however, he turned his attention to the trade of a boiler-maker, which he followed during his active business career. He came to America in 1852, and first located in Detroit, Michigan, whence he went to Marshall. He finally moved to Vincennes, Indiana, where he died in 1890. Mr. Gillies married Christina Caldwell, who was born in 1821, and died in 1896. They reared a family of seven children, namely: William, who resides in Parsons, Kansas; Agnes, deceased; Maggie (Ritterscamp), who lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Christina (Elwood), also a resident of Kansas City; Robert, who lives in Washington, Indiana; James C.; and John.

James C. Gillies attended the public schools, of Vincennes, Indiana, and afterward took up the trade in which his father had been so proficient. He went into the shops of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, at Vincennes, in his early manhood, and remained with that company until he moved west. Mr. Gillies removed to Kansas in 1887, and entered the boiler shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, where he has since remained. He is a very efficient workman, and quite popular with his fellow employees.

Mr. Gillies married Lena Berkemier in 1883. She was born in Vincennes, Indiana. They are the parents of two children, - Estella and Edward. Mr. Gillies is a member of the Fraternal Aid. He is a Republican, in politics, and takes an active interest in local affairs. In 1898 he was elected city councilman from the First Ward. He was reelected in 1900, and still serves in that body. He has been on the board of health for two years.