No. 4910 John Young Gillespie, 1842-
From American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891.
John Young Gillespie, of Dorchester, a plumber and real estate dealer, who has been in business for more than a quarter of a century, was born in France, June 23, 1842, son of John Y. And Isabella (Henderson) Gillespie. His parents were natives of Scotland, the father of Falkirk and the mother of Dalkeith. Their residence in France was but for a period of two years. In 1856 they emigrated to America and settled in Andover, Mass., where the elder Gillespie found work at his trade, in the flax industry of Smith, Dove & Co., as a finisher of flax. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom attained maturity. Robert, who died at the age of fifty-two was a resident of Braintree, Mass. Isabelle is now the widow of William Strand, of Quincy. Elizabeth is living and unmarried. Mr. Gillespie, the father, died in 1883. Mrs. Gillespie is still living in East Braintree and in good health.
John Y. Gillespie, the direct subject of this sketch, came to America with his mother when he was fourteen years old, and joined his father in flax work, being chiefly engaged, however, until he was sixteen years old, in gaining an education. He then served a four years’ apprenticeship to the plumber’s trade with William G. Reed, of Chelsea, Mass., subsequently going to Haverhill, Mass., where he resided but a short time. Returning to Chelsea, he worked for a while in the shop where he had served his apprenticeship, but soon afterward (during the Civil War) went to South Carolina for the United States government, and was employed there at his trade for some months. After his return from the South he resided at Weymouth for about three years, working at his trade, and then, in 1870, came to Dorchester, where he established his present business, which he has since conducted most successfully. He has accumulated a considerable amount of real estate, and is one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the district, his fortune having been self-acquired.
Mr. Gillespie is a member of Kilehamenkin Lodge, I.O.R.M.;* and of Aberdour Lodge, A.F. & A.M.** He is also a member of the North Dorchester Citizens’ Improvement Association. Politically, he is a Republican.
Mr. Gillespie married first Ellen Starr, of Braintree, by whom he had six children, namely: Elizabeth May, born in 1871; John Robert, born in 1873; Annie Louise, born in 1875; Edwin Starr, born in 1878; James Garfield, born in 1882; and Robert, born in 1884. Mrs. Ellen S. Gillespie died in 1885. For his second wife he married in 1887 Mary Ann Magan, of Dorchester. Of this union there have been born four children, as follows: Norman Wilkinson, 1888; Isabella Young, 1890; Malcomb Wilbur, 1892; and Marion Montross, 1894.
*I.O.R.M. Improved Order of the Red Men
*A.F. & A.M. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons