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.
