Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Gilson, Thomas B. March 5, 1813 - ????
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Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 December 19, 2024, 8:19 am

Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

THOMAS B. GILSON,
the veteran railroad supervisor residing at Hollidaysburg, who enjoys the
distinction of being about the oldest employee, in point of service, now
connected with the great Pennsylvania system, is a son of William and Phoebe
(Alexander) Gilson, and was born March 5, 1813, in what was then Mifflin but
is now Juniata county, Pennsylvania.  The Gilsons are of English extraction,
but the family was planted in the United States at an early day, and this
branch of it has resided in the Keystone State for several generations. 
Thomas Gilson (grandfather) was born on territory now included in Juniata
county, at the foot of Tuscarora mountain, and became familiar with the
hardships and privations endured by the early settlers.  After attaining
manhood he built a flour mill, which was the first mill of the kind ever
erected in that county.  Previous to that time the settlers were compelled to
cross the Blue mountains into Cumberland County to get their wheat ground.  He
was accidentally drowned in Tuscarora creek, in 1813, when about sixty years
of age.  William Gilson (father) was born in what is now Juniata county in
1782, and died at Florence, Westmoreland county, in 1858, aged seventy-six
years.  He was a member and elder of the Presbyterian church, a democrat in
politics, and by occupation a miller.  He was a stirring, energetic,
Christian man, and became prominent in his community.  The greater part of
his active and useful life was spent in Westmoreland county, where he was
well liked by all his neighbors and acquaintances.  He married Phoebe
Alexander, by whom he had a family of ten children.  She was a native of
Mifflin county, this State, a member of the Presbyterian church, and closed
her earthly pilgrimage in 1841, after a life which spanned half a century. 
The Alexanders were of Scotch-Irish descent, and came to America about 1736,
settling in Pennsylvania, where the family has become quite numerous.
     Thomas B. Gilson grew to manhood in Juniata county, receiving his early
education in the little log school houses so well remembered by our older
citizens.  On account of having to work in the mill during the day time, he
was compelled to depend largely on night schools and his own efforts in
pushing his studies during the later years of his boyhood.  He utilized every
advantage that came within his reach, however, and persevered until he had
acquired a good practical English education.  Later he learned the carpenter
trade, and in 1848 accepted a position as foreman on the bridge work of the
Pennsylvania railroad.  He acted as foreman of bridge work for this company
until the road was opened for business, at which time he was appointed
supervisor of the division extending from Huntingdon to the Portage road. 
When the road was opened farther he was transferred to Johnstown, where he
remained a few years, and was then sent to New Florence.  Here he was
stationed about six years, after which he became supervisor of the Mountain
division, with headquarters at Gallitzin, and occupied that position until
1871.  In that year the Hollidaysburg & Morrison's Cove branch was completed,
and Mr. Gilson was made supervisor of that line and removed to
Hollidaysburg.  He still occupies this responsible place, and has won a wide
reputation as a able, experienced, and practical railroad man. He is now
about the only person connected with the Pennsylvania railroad who started
out with it during its construction, and has spent forty-one years in
discharging the exacting duties of supervisor for that corporation.
     Mr. Gilson was married in 1832 to Mary Ann Behel.  Her death occurred in
1845.  Of the six children born to this union but one survives, Samuel L.  In
1847 Mr. Gilson married for his second wife Jane Boyd, a daughter of Hugh
Boyd, of Ohio.  To them was born a family of three children, only two of whom
survive, one son and a daughter:  William J., now employed as a telegraph
operator; and Laura J.
     In politics Mr. Gilson is a republican, and in years gone by has given
his party an active support.  He is a prominent member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Hollidaysburg, and has served as trustee and steward of
his church for many years.  He is a pleasant, affable gentleman, modest and
unassuming, and is greatly respected by all who know him.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Donna Thomas.

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