The first land entry was made October 28, 1825, by Michael Dodd, when he became the pssessor of eighty acres on section 15. Three years later, September 15, 1828, Dennis Davis entered eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 2. September 29, 1829, B. Nowlin and J. G. White each entered a tract of eighty acres on section 14.

      The first house was built by John Wright on section 2. This was in 1828.

      The year 1829 witnessed the arrival of several families, among whom were Alexander Miller and Abraham Huddleston, Jr., who settled on section 3; and a widow by the name of McCafee, also Dennis Davis, both of whom settled on section 2.

      In 1830 Aaron Maxwell settled on section 22, while Gabriel Maxwell settled on section 21.

      In 1831 James Robinson settled on section 29, Arter Taylor on section 5, and Giles Adams on section 17.

      Daniel Huddleston arrived here in 1832 and made a permanent location on section 5.

      In 1833 A. Jackson Rose settled on section 21 and Andrew Clark settled on the same section, while George Harlan entered land on section 2.

      Soon after coming here in 1833, George Harlan built a horse mill on section 2, which was the first in the township.

      It is not known who was the first child born but it is known that in the fall of 1830 a child was born in each of the homes of John Wright and Gabriel McKinze.

      In the year 1831 or 1832 Louisa Huddleston, daughter of Abraham and Judah Huddleston, aged 18 months died and was buried on section 3. This was the first death in the township.

      The first schoolhouse was constructed of logs in the fall of 1835 and was located on section 3. Alexander Walls and a Mr. Moore taught here in early times but it is not known which was the first teacher.

      The first sermon in the township was preached in the home of Daniel Huddleston, on section 5, by Pleasant Lamay, a Baptist clergyman. he preached in the different homes and in the schoolhouse intil a church was erected, which was in 1834, and was located on section 5. Rev. Lamay was the first to preach in the new church and continued to hold religious here until the time of his death. In 1854 a larger and more modern building was erected, Alva Huddleston and Nicholas Grimes doing the carpenter work. Rev. William Fitzgerald delivered the first sermon in the new building. The first Sunday school was organized in 1848 and the superintendent was Henry Fishback.

      Giles Adams was the first postmaster and the mail was kept in his house on section 17. This office was established in 1854 and prior to that time the mail was carried by stage on the line running between Carlinville and Bunker Hill.

      The first election was also held in Mr. Adams' home in 1835. The settlers considered this a great convenience as they had formerly gone to Carlinville to vote.

      The first blacksmith shop erected by Daniel Adams, father of Giles Adams, in 1834.

      The first store was opened in the summer of 1834 on section 3, by John Foster

      The first tavern was conducted by a Mr. Abrahams at Dry Point, on section 15, and was opened in 1833.

      The town of Gillespie is located on section 24. The original proprietor was Philander C. Huggins and it was surveyed by J. B. Meads in the spring of 1853. In 1855 and addition known as Huggins' first addition was made on the north side.

      The first building in town was erected in 1853 by B. F. Clark, the lower floor used as a store room, while the upper story was used as a dwelling.

      In 1854 the postoffice was moved from Giles Adams' residence to the store of B. F. Clark, and the first postmaster here was Thomas Chandler.

      The first hotel, a frame building, was put up by S. D. Martin in the spring of 1856 and was known as the National Hotel.

      The first mill was built by Settlemire, Rankin & Holmes in 1859. On January 14, 1864, William Robinson, engineer, and Lewis Zinzer, miller, were killed by the explosion of the engine.

      The first blacksmith shop was built and conducted by McGoern & Berning.

      Dr. Isaac Osborn came here in 1855 and began the practice of medicine.

      In 1855 Jacob Querbach built a wagon shop and in the same year a schoolhouse was erected and a Mr. Williams became the first teacher.

      The schoolhouse also served as a place of worship until 1863, when Episcopalians built a church and Rev. Dresser served as pastor for a time. he was succeeded by Rev. Mitchell.

      The same year the Methodist denomination built a house of worship and Rev. Morrison served as their first pastor. The German Lutheran church was erected in the fall of 1869. The first Sunday school was organized in the schoolhouse in 1856. The church now has a beautiful pressed brick house of worship and a comfortable parsonage. The present pastor in Rev. L. Krekler.

      The records of the Methodist church, now at hand, would show that the church qwasa organized about 1850. Abram Isaacs and wife Mary, D. K. Campbell and a number of others were charter members. At the time mentioned it was a mission in the Alton district, with an appropriation of $100 of missionary money. Rev. R. Randall was the first pastor. Five years later the church numbered about ninety members. Rev. Gilham was succeeded by T. M. Boyle in 1858. He had increased the membership to one hundred and ninety. That same year the church was transferred to the Litchfield district and T. W. Jones was the pastor. Among the early pastors of this church may be mentioned Asa Snell, J. S. Morrison, W. F. Davis, George T. Weaver, C. J. Tolle, A. Bliss, S. Walker, N. D. Shackleford, T. A. Eaton, S. T. English, S. P. Grove, and R. H. Massey. In 1864 a new church was built on the corner of Macoupin and Spruce streets, which was used until 1910. The building, which was a frame, was then moved off its foundation to its present location, a block east on the corner of Spruce and Madison, and now forms a part of a new building of frame, constructed in the year last above mentioned, at a coast of about $8,000.

      The membership of this church now numbers about 125. The attendance at the Sabbath school is 275. The present pastor, C. H. Spragg, succeeded Rev. Samuel Thero, in 1911.

      St. Catherine and Gude's Catholic church ahs long been established at this place. In 1879 a commodious frame building was erected to accommodate its members, which at that time numbered about one hundred. The church was enlarged and improved in 1902 and in 1910 a rectory was built for the pastor. The value of the entire property amounts to about $16,000. Rev. Thomas Crosson is the pastor.

      There are a Christian and Baptist organization in Gillespie, both long established, but now weak in numbers. Services are held at the Baptist church every other Sunday by J. M. Gwinn, of Staunton. The Christians have not regular minister.

See : The City Destoyed by Fire

      In 1904 the population of Gillespie was 1,716. The federal census of 1910 gave it 3,075. shortly after this census was made public, a school census was taken, which increased the number to 3,160.

See : Gillespie's Population Changes

      The chief industry of Gillespie and the section surrounding it is the mining of coal, and it is said that three of the largest mines in the world are located at this point. They are owned and operated by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company which places none of its product on the market. It is therefore presumed that htis great railroad system uses the coal in the operation of its own rolling stock.

See : History and photos of area Coal Mines

      In the spring of 1911 the citizens voted on the proposition of issuing bonds to the extent of $8,000, for the purpose of building a city hall. The proposition carried and bids were made on the structure, but rejected. New plans for the improvement are now being made. The hall will be constructed of brick and two stories in height. Provisions will be made for a council chamber, jail, fire department, and other public conveniences. The city has a volunteer fire department. The paraphernalia consists of a chemical engine and hose carts. Of the police force, there is a marshall and two night patrolmen.

See : Gillespie City Hall photos

      The city is lighted by an electric plant, built in 1890, by private parties. Frank Edwards of Benld is president of the concern and C. W. Smith, of Gillespie, manager. The city has a continuous service.

      Gillespie is without a water works, or sewage system but the city is so prosperous and its people are so energetic and enterprising that it is only a question of a short time before these necessary utilities will be installed. However, the citizens here take great pride in their sidewalks, Within the last three years there have been laid twenty miles of granitoid walks. Five years ago there were but two blocks of them. In 1897 a commodious and tastefully built two-story frame opera house was erected, with a seating capacity of 350, by H. F. Meinecke and others.

      Gillespie can well pride herself on the appearance and construction of the company homes for miners. One does not see here long, forbidding looking rows of shacks without any shade trees or other comforts surrounding them. On the contrary, there is a diversity in the appearance of the buildings. Each take on the cottage design, are painted, and really look home like, as they should. In 1910 the Northwestern established repair yards at Gillespie for its coal cars. here 2,000 cars are used each day in handling coal. That means that many need repairs and seventy-five men are employed in the shops on that work.

      Like all other progressive little cities, Gillespie has her societies, chief among which amy be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knoghts of Pythias, Woodmen, Red men, Owls, Hibernians, and Foresters. There is a post here of the Grand Army of the Replublic, whcih was once quite strong in it membership, but at this time only five of them answer to the roll call at its meetings.

      The city of Gillespie has two strong financial concerns in the Gillespie National Bank and the Bank of Gillespie. The first was organized October 1, 1905, by H. H. Behrens, H. W. Rice, J. K. McDavid, Marvel Thomas, J. M. Rodiner, G. W. Smith, Sr., P. H. Dorsey, Sr., Thomas Elliman, Edward Lane and others.
H. H. Behrens was the first president; M. Thomas, vice president; and W. J. Joyce, cashier. The bank was capitalized at $50,000. The present officials are : President, J. M. Rodiner; vice president, Thomas E. Elliman; cashier, H. W. Rice; assistant cashier, W. E. Cavanaugh, Directors, J. E. Barringer, Joe Querbach, J. P. Querbach, P. H. Dorsey, H. F. Bycroft, Sr., H. W. Rice, J. M. Rodiner, Thomas Elliman, J. K. McDavid.
The Bank of Gillespie was established in 1894 by S. M. Grubbs and E. R. Davis, of Litchfield, under the firm name of Grubbs, Davis & Comapny. About 1900 Mr. Davis retired and E. I. Miller of the First National Bank of Litchfield assumed his interest in the concern, which then took the title of the Bank of Gillespie. it took the firm name of Grubbs, Miller, & Isaacs, the latter gentleman having entered the firm in 1897. In 1906 this company erected its bank building, which was the first new structure put up after the coal industry was established.

      In the year 1828 Theodorus Davis, Jr., became the first settler of the township. In July, 1829, John Moore, with his family, consisting of wife and three children, settled in the township. He located on a tract of land about three miles southwest of Carlinville.

      In 1830 David Gimlin settled on land about three miles southwest of Carlinville, in Brushy Mound township. He was a Baptist minister and preached the first sermon ever delivered in the township.

      In 1831 several settlers came, among them the Weatherfords, Jefferson Hardin and others, who located in the northeast corner of the township on what was later known as Weatherford's prairie. Soon afterward came Elijah Mitchell and Thomas Hughes and settled on Brushy Mound prairie. About this same time Henry and Thomas Beauford and Willis and William Whitworth, with their families, also settled here.

      In 1832 William Kettner and family located on what was known as Spanish Needle prairie.

      In 1833 or 1834 Jefferson Weatherford built a mill which was operated by ox power.

      In 1837 Haskins Trabue built a carding factory, which for many years supplied the settlers with woolen yarn.

      In the spring of 1851 Thomas Carr and Elijah Mitchell built a grist mill on Honey creek and in 1853 B. F. Clark and J. R. Mitchell built a mill on Spanish Needle prairie. Some time later Braley's mill on Honey creek, and Borough's mill at Borough station, were erected.

      The first couple married in this township was William Flinan and Miss Edith Gimlin, daughter of David Gimlin, their wedding being celebrated on the 17th of January, 1833.

      The first child born in the township was Theodorus, son of John and Ann Moore on the 16th of September, 1830. When seventeen years of age he enlisted for service in the war with Mexico and died of yellow fever at Tampico, Mexico, September 30, 1847.

      The first house of worship in the twonship was erected by the Baptists, on section 12, in the northeast part of the township. It was 20 x 30 feet, built of hewn logs, covered with oak shingles, while the floor was made of undressed oak plank. In 1852 this structure was replaced by a frame building, which was erected on the south side of Honey creek timber. In 1873 a third building was erected.

      The first school district in the township was organized in 1834. The building was made of logs and the school was conducted by Thomas P. Low.

      The first land entries in the township were made as follows : October 19, 1829, eighty acres on section 5, by Travis Moore; October 8, 1830, eighty acres on the same section by David Gimlin; October 16, 1830, eighty acres on section 12, by Harding Weatherford.

      Ephraim Powers settled near the southwestern corner of the township about 1828, and in 1830 Thomas Kinder and his family located on section 11. In 1831 Peter B. Karnes and family settled here. Soon afterward others who came were John Kinder, Amos Snook, B. L. Dorsey, John Blevins, Tolton Blevins, Lodwick Jones and Nathan Duncan. All these settlers at once made improvements and developed good farms.

      The first birth in the township was that of William S. Karnes, son of Peter B. and Sarah Ann Karnes, whose birth occurred May 30, 1832.

      The first death was that of Mrs. Kinder in May 1832.

      The first marriage also occurred in the spring of 1832, the contracting parties being Christopher Kinder and Miss Mary Ann Cook.

      The first religious services were held in 1834, at the home of James Caulk, by William Burg, a United Baptist minister. Larkin Craig was also a pioneer minister of this locality.

      The United Baptist people erected the first church here about 1840. It was located on section 2, on land belonging to Thomas Kinder. It was built of logs and served as well for school purposes. A man by the name of Arnold was the first teacher here. This building was finally destroyed by fire.

      The first schoolhouse was built of logs, on section 10, about the year 1835. The first teachers in this school were Evan Hazzard and John Wilton.

      John Blevins built the first blacksmith shop in 1833 and was the first blacksmith shop in the district.

      Eaton & English put up the first grist mill, which was operated by horse power.

      The first entries of land were made as follows : John Blevins, eighty acres on section 10, April 22, 1831; Peter Kinder, eighty acres on section 10, May 9, 1831; George A. and John Kinder, the same amount on the sme section on that date, while Jacob and William Kinder, entered at the sme time eighty acres on section 14. Others of the early settlers were Nancy Snook, Larkin Craig, Nancy Keel, George Bayless, Hugh Rice, William Anderson, William Eickmeyer, E. S. Holm and J. M. Rhoads.

      The Macoupin County railroad passes through the town and the Illinois Traction System's electric road passes on its western border, giving its people easy access to the outside world.

¹History of Macoupin County, Illinois
      Biographical and Pictorial
      Hon. Charles A. Walker, Supervisory Editor
      Volume I, Illustrated
      Chicago -- S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1911

² Atlas of Macoupin Co. and the State of Illinois
      To which is added an Atlas of The United States
      Maps of the Hemispheres &c. &c. &c.
      Warner & Beers, Publishers, Lakesdie Building Cor: of Carle & Adams Sts., Chicago. 1875