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Below is a family biography included in The History of Benton County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Isaac B. Gilmore, vice-president of the People’s Bank of Bentonville, Ark., is a native of McLean County, Ill., born February 23, 1835, and the son of James and Mary (Bradley) Gilmore. The father was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1803, was of Irish descent and a farmer and stock trader by occupation. He resided in his native county and State until 1834, when he immigrated to McLean County, Ill., and here died in 1865, He was a great stock trader, and many times drove cattle through to New York on horseback. His wife, Mary (Bradley) Gilmore, was born in Georgia in 1808 and died in 1875. She was the mother of five sons and five daughters, six of whom are now living. Isaac B. was reared on a farm, and his school advantages were very limited. At the age of six years he went to school all one winter bare-footed, and, as there were no free schools, and his parents were poor, at the age of twenty-six he could not write his name. He was a Union man during the war, and August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles: Perry Grove, Vicksburg, Marganzie Bend, Yazoo, Brownsville, Ft. Morgan, Mobile campaign, and others. Mr. Gilmore was first sergeant of his company, and was discharged at Springfield, Ill, August 9, 1865. Previous to the war, in 1860, he married Miss Kate Kane, a native of Bartholomew County, Ind., born in 1842, To them were born seven children; Frank B., cashier of the People’s Bank; Vernor S., druggist; John G., Leonard, George, Floy and Birdie. After the war Mr. Gilmore resided in his native State and county until 1869, when he moved to Lawrence County, Mo. On account of the failing health of his wife, Mr. Gilmore returned to his birthplace in 1874, and here resided for three years. He then moved to Caldwell, Kas., and was engaged in the livery business, trading in stock and in farming. For five years he was vice-president of the Exchange Bank of Caldwell. In July, 1887, he became a resident of Bentonville, Ark., purchased a lot and organized the People’s Bank at that place, and was elected vice-president. For the past five years Mr. Gilmore has been dealing in stock and real estate and has met with good success. He is a Republican in politics, casting his first presidential ticket for John C. Fremont, and is a member of the G. A. R., Burnside Post No. 4, Bentonville, Ark., being chaplain of the post. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, he being a member for twenty-eight years, and deacon of the same most of that time.

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This family biography is one of 240 biographies included in The History of Benton County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Benton County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Benton County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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