... John Gilmer, his father was born in 1791, in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky, when quite a boy with his father, to Adair county. He was married to Elizabeth Phillips, also a native of Virginia. They had thirteen children, seven now living, five boys and two girls: James Campbell, Washington, Robert and Squire A., Mrs. Martha S. Reynolds and Mrs. Bettie P. Phillips. In 1834, Mr. John Gilmer moved to Saline county, Missouri, and settled on the farm where his son James now lives, six miles east of Marshall, and died February 8 [sic], 1873, and was buried on the home place. Mrs. Gilmer died June 10, 1865, and was buried in the same place. Mr. James Gilmer was the second son, and was ten years old when his parents moved to this county. Neighbors at that early day, were few and far between. His father first built a log house of one room – and the next year, added another log room. The land was purchased from a man named Goff, who begun a cabin, but had not finished it. Mr. Gilmer finished and lived in it. The Marshall and Arrow Rock road, though received by the county court, was still called the “Indian,” and by some the “buffalo trail.” Religious services were held mainly in private houses, and people made their own clothes, of flax, wool, cotton, and buckskin. Mr. Gilmer went to school in the neighborhood, and lived with his father on the farm until he was married. In 1842, the brick house in which he now lives, was put up by his father. ...
