Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

G. G. Gill

G. G. Gill, merchant, Homer, Louisiana This enterprising and thorough going business man was born in Hall County, Georgia, on February 15, 1844, and is a son of Hon. Josiah H. and S. R. (Simmons) Gill, natives of Chester District, S. G, and Virginia, respectively. The father was a merchant and planter, and moved from Hall County to Floyd County, Georgia, where he engaged in business for a number of years at Cave Spring. He afterward moved to Louisiana (1868), located in Homer and embarked in merchandising, which be carried on until his death, which occurred in 1878. He was a prominent man, and served as a member of the Legislature in Georgia. He was also prominent in Masonic affairs. His wife died in 1855. He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of our subject, and of the four children born to this union that grew to mature years G. G. Gill was the second in order of birth. Only two brothers and one sister are now surviving. G. G. Gill attained his growth in Georgia, and in March, 1862, he enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry, serving until the close of the war, first as private and then as orderly sergeant. He participated in several important' battles, first Richmond, Ky., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville, and from Dalton to Atlanta. He was then at Savannah, then at Raleigh, and surrendered at Kingston, Georgia.

Mr. Gill received a good education at Cave Spring Institute, and remained in Georgia up to 1867, when in September of that year he moved to Louisiana, locating at Homer, where he clerked in a store with a half-brother, W. B. Gill, who established business there in 1853. The Gill House is the oldest established house in this town. Mr. Gill continued with his brother up to 1870, when he and his father bought out the brother's one half interest, and continued the business here. Since then there have been a number of changes, and Mr. Gill took the entire business in January, 1878. He has a large two story brick business house, also two warehouses, and carries a very large and complete stock of goods. He is doing an immense business, and is also buying and dealing in cotton.

He carries a large stock of general merchandise, including drugs, furniture, hardware, harness, saddlery, sash and blinds, doors, etc. He is doing an exceedingly good business, and has deservedly gained a reputation as a straightforward, enterprising business man. He devoted his entire time and energy to his business, conducts his affairs on strict principles, and the success crowning his efforts is but a natural consequence. Today he is the owner and at the head of the largest retail business in Northwest Louisiana. Mr. Gill, an active worker for the cause of education here, bought out the old college at a sheriff's sale, and forming a stock company succeeded in getting the college in a flourishing condition. He has given the college and the cause his hearty support, and is at the present time president of the board of directors.

He is a member of the K. of P., and an active member of that order. Mr. Gill was married in December, 1870, to Miss Lizzie E., daughter of J. M. White, who was born in Sumter County, Georgia, and who was reared and educated in Louisiana. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gill are named as follows; R. Shelton (aged sixteen), Ernest. Clarence and Edgar. One daughter died in early childhood, and the oldest, Lilla Mai Gill, died September 21, 1889 at the age of seventeen years. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are worthy and esteemed members of the Methodist Church.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890