Peter Gillespie (b. 1846)

History

Courtesy of Rick Gillespie

Peter M. Gillespie. Born 21 March 1846. Edinboro, Scotland. (This was written just after 1900)

Peter M. Gillespie. It can not be recorded of every man who came to Utah in his childhood or early youth that he has since acquired great wealth, but there is a common ground upon which all may stand-that of good citizenship, and of the many rugged sons of Scotland who have come here, either as children or young men, our subject is worthy of special mention for the interest and devotion he has shown to the country of his adoption. He came here at a tender age, and has grown up amid the unrestrained freedom of the western life, absorbing the spirit of hearty good will and pride in the West that is to be found in every true citizen of this part of the Union, and as he has freely received, so he has freely given, doing his part towards developing and building up his section of the State, and has won and retained the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated through many years, until he is at this time regarded as one of the staunch men of his town.

PeterM. Gillespie was born in Edinboro, Scotland. March 21,1846 and is the son of Peter and Margaret (McIntrye) Gillespie both natives of Scotland. The parents became converts to the teachings of the Morman religion in their own land, and with their small family emigrated to America in 1853. Crossing the plains to Utah in that same year, and locating in Tooele, where they remained for three years. The father was a stone-cutter by trade, and in 1856 was called to Salt Lake to cut stone for the Temple, which was then in course of erection, and moved his family to the city, where they continued to reside. The mother died in 1890, and the father survived her six years.

Our subject received his education from the schools of Salt Lake City, and lived there until 1887, when he went to Mammoth, where for twelve years he was employed by the Mammoth Company as ore sorter. At the expiration of this time he leased the old Mammoth works, which he has operated with considerable success. He has invested to some extent in real estate in Utah, and owns a comfortable him in this place, as well as one in Payson.

Mr. Gillespie was married in 1873, to Miss Ellen Folland, daughter of Henry and Harriett Folland, and of this marriage seven children have been born, six of whom are living – Hattie married a Mr. Charles Keelsler; She died at the age of twenty-two years, leaving two children who have since made their home with our subject’s family; William is a conductor on the East Tintic Railroad; John and Peter are engaged in mining; Margaret and Ellen live at home, and Arthur is still in school.

In political life Mr. Gillespie has been a member of the Democratic party ever since its organization in this State, and an active worker in its ranks. He was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners for Juab County in November 1900, which position he fills at this time, and in the past has served a number of terms as School Trustee. He is well known in Juab County, where he numbers his friends by the Score.