THOMAS GILLSTRAP

THOMAS GILLSTRAP, Ohio County, is the eldest son of Jesse Gillstrap, who was born in Butler County in 1813, and died in Cromwell in 1879. He was twice married; first to Mary S. Taylor, born in 1811, and who died in 1854, and second to Mary J. Taylor, also, but of another family. Of the first wife's seven children only four are now living, of whom Thomas is the eldest. He was born in Butler County, January 12, 1837, and brought up in Ohio County, to which county he went with his parents in 1839, and where he was educated in the common schools. He commenced mercantile life in 1858, as clerk for Charles E. Haynes, of Cromwell, continuing with him six months; then with A. H. Kahn, of the same place; then with L. S. Romans, in Butler county, ten months, and finally with R. J. Daniels about seven years. In 1870, he started for himself in general merchandise, and now has two large stores, dry goods, clothing and a grocery store, and is one of the leading merchants of Ohio County. His annual sales of $25,000 are among the largest in the county. He is noted for strict integrity and fine business ability, and is widely known throughout the town and country. His brother, F. M. Gillstrap, was a member of the Twenty- sixth Kentucky Regiment, and was captain of his company and Provost Marshal, and always proved himself a gallant soldier. He is now employed in his brother's store, as is also another brother, P. W. Gillstrap. 

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Thomas Gilstrap/Gillstrap died in Ohio County 20 March 1881. He never married.