James C. Gill Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 967
Scope and Contents
The Gill Collection consists of two scrapbooks. In the first scrapbook, the green one contains numerous clippings containing obituaries of Mr. Gill and some of his family. There are also several telegrams concerning his death and letters of condolence to Mrs. Gill from L.B. Hanna and A.O. Burnham (1897). Included is a memorial form the Masons and some clippings concerning his work in the North Dakota Legislature (1895). In the gold scrapbook are clippings on a variety of subjects including state and county politics and election returns. Of interest is an 1886 article on the new Cass County Court House, a speech by Mr. Gill at the Tower City Fair, an article on building in Fargo in 1876, an 1895 speech by Althea Briggs-Stryker on Temperance and Women's rights, a speech by Senator Worst (1892), also poems, agricultural articles and humor including an article on Dakota "pump snakes".
This collection also consists of a photograph of James Gill.
This collection also consists of a photograph of James Gill.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1876-1897
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives
Biography
James Curry Gill was born in Perry County, Illinois, November 3, 1843, to William and Melinda (Curry) Gill. Mr. Gill attended Bunker Hill Academy and McKendrie College of Illinois, and in 1872 moved to Missouri where he engaged in the sheep and cattle business. He was Secretary of the State Wool Growers'.' Association of Missouri and lecturer for the State Grange of Missouri. In 1882, for health reasons, he moved to Cass County in Dakota Territory to Gill Township, where he started a very successful five-thousand-acre farm.
In 1883 he was elected a Cass County Commissioner, serving four years as chairman of the board. He was also president for two years of United Farmers of North Dakota, and was in the Wool Growers Association of North Dakota. He was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1891 and 1894, and was chosen speaker in 1895. In 1897 he became Secretary of the State Senate.
In 1864 Mr. Gill was married to Elila Walton of St. Louis, Missouri, born there November 8, 1848. They had 4 children, William, Jessie, Fred and Rollie. Mr. Gill died in Bismarck of heart trouble, Januany 30, 1897, and Mrs. Gill died April 21, 1912, at Casselton. They are both buried in the Casselton Cemetery.
Mr. Gill was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rites, Commander of the Fargo Kadosh, and a Knight Commander in that organization. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a prominent Republican and was most active in the prohibition and Womens' Suffrage movements.
In 1883 he was elected a Cass County Commissioner, serving four years as chairman of the board. He was also president for two years of United Farmers of North Dakota, and was in the Wool Growers Association of North Dakota. He was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1891 and 1894, and was chosen speaker in 1895. In 1897 he became Secretary of the State Senate.
In 1864 Mr. Gill was married to Elila Walton of St. Louis, Missouri, born there November 8, 1848. They had 4 children, William, Jessie, Fred and Rollie. Mr. Gill died in Bismarck of heart trouble, Januany 30, 1897, and Mrs. Gill died April 21, 1912, at Casselton. They are both buried in the Casselton Cemetery.
Mr. Gill was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rites, Commander of the Fargo Kadosh, and a Knight Commander in that organization. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a prominent Republican and was most active in the prohibition and Womens' Suffrage movements.
Extent
.25 Linear Feet (Contains papers, newspaper clippings, and a photograph)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains two scrapbooks related to James C. Gill and his life. It also contains biographical material as well as a photograph.
Provenance
Donated by Mrs. Hubert LeBus on December 12, 1958 (Acc. 967)
Property Rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the James C. Gill Papers
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu