THOMAS GILLINGHAM is numbered among the honored pioneers of the town of Marshall, where he has lived from his boyhood days, - a period of more than half a century, - and he is one of the representative farmers and stock growers of Richland county. He was born in Columbiana county, O., Oct. 28, 1837, and is a son of Harvey and Mary (Ewing) Gillingham, both likewise natives of Columbiana county, where the former was born Apr. 8, 1808 and the later Dec. 28, 1812, these dates showing the respective families were very early settlers in the Old Buckeye State. The former was a son of Thomas Gillingham, who removed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, in 1800, prior to the admission of the State to the Union, becoming one of the first settlers on Yellow creek, Columbiana county, where he passed the remainder of his life. At this juncture are given brief data concerning the children of Harvey and Mary (Ewing) Gillingham: John, who was born Oct. 2, 1835, is deceased; the subject of this sketch was next in order of birth; Caroline, who was born May 20, 1839, married Reuben Herrick and after his death became the wife of George Fogo, her death occurring in Rockbridge township, this county, Apr. 10, 1864; James H., who was born Dec. 29, 1840, is deceased; Maria, who was born Jan. 14, 1842, is the wife of Henry Campbell, of Necedah, Wis.; William N., a veteran of the Civil War, born Dec. 12, 1843, and who married Rebecca Clark, is a successful farmer of Marshall township; Sarah, who was born Feb. 23, 1845, is the wife of Oliver Totten, of Richland Center; Elias W., who was born Mar. 5, 1847, and who married Sophia Janny, is a farmer of Marshall township; Albert who was born Jan. 14, 1849, married Mary Hawkins, and they reside in Juneau county; Frances F., who was born Sept. 24, 1850, is the wife of Rush Francis, of Portland, North Dakota; Mary Ann, who was born Jan. 15, 1853 is the wife of Matthew Roache, of Grand Island, Nebraska; Moses H., who was born May 27, 1855, and who was killed by lightening in Aug., 1885, married Annie Whitecraft, who survives him and resides in Rockbridge township; and Nancy E, who was born Nov. 27, 1857, is the wife of Charles Francis, of North Branch, Kan. Thomas Gillingham, grandfather of the subject of this review, was of English ancestry, and both he and his wife, whose Maiden name was Fannie Milnior, died in Ohio, where he was a successful farmer. They reared a large family of children and Harvey was the youngest son. The latter's wife Mary (Ewing) Gillingham was of Welsh descent in the agnatic line. Harvey Gillingham was reared and educated in Columbiana County, Ohio, remaining at home until the death of his parents. He learned the cooper's trade which he followed in connection with farming. In the autumn of 1851 he came to Richland county, Wis., and secured 200 acres of Government land in section 12, Marshall township. He then returned to Ohio, where he remained until the following spring, when he brought his family to the new home in the midst of the forests of Richland county. They came by way of Prairie du Chien, thence by way of English Ridge to Marshall township, cutting the first track west along the west branch of Fancy creek, until they intersected a hunter's track at English Ridge. From Galena, Ill., four of the boys in the party, John and Simon Marshall, John and Thomas Gillingham, walked the distance to Marshall township, the subject of this review being the only one now living. He erected on his land a double log house, twenty by twenty-four feet in dimensions, which was the fourth house built in the township. This continued to be the family home for a number of years. He reclaimed a considerable portion of his land to cultivation and made good improvements to the homestead, where he died in March, 1861, his wife long surviving him, passed away June 14, 1891. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican and after coming to Richland county he served in several town offices, ever commanding the respect and confidence of his fellow men. His wife was one of the original members of the first United Brethren church organized in the town of Marshall. Thomas Gillingham, the immediate subject of this sketch, served his rudimentary education in the common schools of Ohio, having been fourteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Wisconsin. Having thereafter little opportunity or attending school, his further discipline in an educational way was gained through personal application and experience. He assisted in reclaiming the family farm, in the constructing of roads through the forest and aided in other work of pioneer development. At this time the woods abound in wild game and Thomas became a very successful hunter keeping the larder well supplied, especially with venison. He lived at home until his marriage, in 1861, since which time he has been engaged in farming on his own responsibility, being now the owner of a finely improved landed estate of 200 acres, in section 11, town of Marshall. He has made a specialty of sheep growing for the past twenty-five years, giving preference to the Spanish merino type, and he also raises excellent grades of cattle and swine and had a good herd of dairy cattle. In politics he is a staunch Republican and he has held various local offices, having been a chairman of the town board two terms and having been treasurer of his township and a member of the school board. He and his wife are zealous members of the United Brethren church of Pleasant Valley. To them is accorded the unreserved confidence and regard of the community which has represented their home for so many years. Jan. 30 1861, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gillingham to Miss Sophia Drake, who was born in Carroll county. They became the parents of ten children: Charles Harvey, who was born Dec 14, 1861, died at the age of two and one-half years; William Elmer, who was born Oct. 24, 1863, and who is a successful farmer of Marshall township, married Ida Allison, and they have three children, - Sarah S., Nellie Agnes, and Bernice; Eleanora A., who was born Apr. 22, 1866, is the wife of James Benton, of Marshall township; Nora Alice, who was born Nov. 22, 1868, is the wife of John Fogo, of Rockbridge township, and they have three children, - Harold, Harley, and Caroline; Thomas Irvin, who was born Jan. 25, 1871 married Phila Smith and is a farmer of Marshall township; Harley Allen, who was born Feb. 14, 1873, is engaged in the mercantile business at Gillingham. He married Emma Truesdale and they have five children, - Helen, James Thomas, Ida Anna, Ellen Earl, and Grace; John W. B., who was born May 4, 1875 and who is engaged in mercantile business, married Lettie Ferguson and they have five children, - Vera, Neta, Freda Viola, Ginas, Gladys, and John B.; Lulu Victoria who was born Apr. 3, 1877, is the wife of Frederick Hoskins of Marshall township, Evangeline B., who was born Nov. 6, 1879, is the wife of Leon Doudna, of Woodstock, and they have one daughter,- Ellen H.; Cora Sophia, who was born Dec. 9, 1881, is the wife of Jay Shaefer and they reside near Boaz, this county; Virgil Everett, who was born May 19, 1884 has had charge of the old homestead of his father for the past three years; and Glennie Grace, who was born May 21, 1886, remains at the parental home. All the children received good educational advantages, and three of the daughters and two of the sons have been successful teachers in the district schools.