Rachel Gilliland, whose maiden name was Lamb, was born near Springville, Ind., May 29, 1836, and died June 25, 1912, aged seventy-six years and twenty-six days.
She was married in March of 1854, to James H. Gilliland. To this union were born eight children, four sons and four daughters. The children all lived to be grown and married, but two of them, the oldest son Si, and the oldest daughter, Jennie, preceded their mother to the spirit world. Three sons and three daughters survive her, all living in southern Indiana, near her old home, except one son Zeno, who lives in the state of Washington.
Not long after her marriage she obeyed the gospel of Christ, and thus became a member of the Church of Christ. She and her husband stood side by side in the church, and all their children followed them to the Savior. Her husband was and elder of the church and three of her sons have served in the same capacity.
When she was a young mother with three little children the war came on. Her husband enlisted in the army and served three years. These were practically years of the saddest and hardest widowhood, during which time she wrought for herself and children while her husband fought for his country. In December, 1875, her husband died and left her with eight children. She lived a widow thirty-six years, nearly half of her whole life. By hard work and good management she kept a home for her children until they could make homes for themselves. She moved from Jackson Township, Greene county to Bloomfield in 1886, securing for her children better opportunities for business and education. One thing in her favor was that she had good health almost all her life till about three years ago. Since that time she declined till it became necessary for her to give up her home and live with her children. She left Bloomfield several months ago and for a while lived with her son, John C. Gilliland. Later she went to the country home in Lawrence county of her daughter Mrs. Florence Holmes. Here she fell asleep on Tuesday, June 25, 1912, and on the following day was laid to rest in the "Old Bethel Cemetery" in Jackson township. She had finished the work the Lord gave her to do, the rearing of a useful christian family.
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After an illness covering several months Mrs. Rachael Gilliland died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sherman Holmes, near Springville, last Tuesday forenoon at 11 o'clock.
She lived as a widow in Bloomfield many years but when her health failed her last year she was compelled to give up her home and has since lived with her children.
Mrs. Gilliland was a daughter of John W. and Patsey Lamb, early settlers in eastern Greene county who emigrated from North Carolina. She was born May 29, 1836 in Lawrence county, near where she died.
She was married March 10, 1854 to James Harvey Gilliland, who served as a soldier in the Civil war.
She leaves six children, namely: John C. Gilliland, of this place; Zeno Gilliland, of Monroe, Wash; Mrs. Carrie Busenburg, of Jasonville; Mrs. Florence Holmes, of Springville; James H. Gilliland, of Carlisle, and Mrs. Alice Mitchell, of Jasonville. She, also, leaves two brothers and one sister, namely Calvin Lamb and Hiram Lamb of Jackson township, and Mrs. Jerry Hatfield, of this place.
She had been a consistent member of the Christian church for fifty-eight years.
The funeral services were held Wednesday, conducted by Elder T,. A. Cox, assisted by Elder J. A. Spencer. Interment in the Dishman cemetery.
