Husband Thomas J. Gillespie 1 2
Born: 14 Jul 1840 - Clarksville, Delaware Twp, Mercer Co, PA 1 2
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: John Gillespie (1806-1846) 3
Mother: Sarah Clark (1804-1886) 3
Marriage: 1896 2
Other Spouse: Almira Clark ( -1892) 1 2 - 27 May 1867 1
Wife Harriet Coleman 2
Born:
Christened:
Died:
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Other Spouse: [Unk] Stevenson ( - ) 2
• Note: This may be the same person as : Harriet Jane Coleman.
Children
General Notes: Husband - Thomas J. Gillespie
He grew up in Clarksville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and at the age of seventeen went west, where he spent two years. He then returned home and learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked a few years. In June, 1867, Mr. Gillespie opened a boot and shoe store in Sharon, which he gradually gave up for the more successful business of a dealer in hides, leather, etc., in which he has built up a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Gillespie enlisted in Company B, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia, to repel Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. He was a Republican, and served two terms in the council and two years as burgess of Sharon. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F. and N. U. [HMC 1888, 725]
Before the outbreak of the Civil war, at the age of seventeen years, he went west, and spent two years there. He returned home and learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he was working when he enlisted as a soldier of the Civil War. He enlisted in 1863 in Company B, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was in service three months. In the month of June, 1867, he opened a shoe, leather and findings store in Sharon, just after his marriage. In 1871 he built a store room, on the corner .of Vine and Silver streets. There he was continuously in business for a period of forty-one years. He dealt in leather, hides, pumps, piping and builder's supplies. Some years later, Edward Sweesy purchased an interest in the business, and thereafter the firm was known as Thomas J. Gillespie & Co.
In his politics, Mr. Gillespie always supported the Republican party. He was honored with the office of mayor of the borough of Sharon, serving in 1879-80, and in 1892 he was elected for the third term. In the spring of 1908 he was chosen at the primary election as the Republican candidate for treasurer of Mercer County, and was elected by a large majority for a term of three years.
He was long a member of the Presbyterian church. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellows order beginning in 1872; he was also a member of that most ancient and honorable fraternity, the Masons, belonging to the Knights Templar degree. He was numbered among the brothers of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also the National Union, which was a benevolent as well as a social order. He was also a member of Sharon Post No. 254, Grand Army of the Republic.
General Notes: Wife - Harriet Coleman
from Butler, Butler Co, PA