Gillham, James

Born: 1796-04-08 South Carolina

Died: 1870-05-05 Winchester, Illinois

Flourished: Scott County, Illinois

Alternate name: Gilham

James Gillham was a farmer, military officer, and Illinois state senator. At the age of four, he moved with his father to Illinois, settling at the American Bottom opposite Saint Louis, Missouri. Gillham farmed with his father until the outbreak of the War of 1812, when he enlisted in the army as an ensign, earning distinction for his bravery in battle. In 1818, Gillham married Sarah Lofton, with whom he had eight children. In 1820, Gillham moved to what would become Scott County, Illinois, where he purchased land and commenced farming. He eventually amassed approximately 119 acres of public land. During the Black Hawk War, Gillham served as captain of a volunteer company and later received promotion to lieutenant colonel. In 1842, he represented Cass and Scott counties in the Illinois Senate. Gillham continued to operate his farm until his death. He was a Democrat and Methodist Episcopalian.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Ills. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1889), 573; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Madison County, 27 March 1818, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales, Scott County, 339:176; 817:88, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Theodore C. Pease, ed., Illinois Election Returns, 1818-1848, vol. 18 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1923), 352, 382; Gravestone, Gillham Cemetery, Winchester, IL.