Gill, Thomas U.

 Submitted by Mike Miller, Feb. 2000
Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), pp. 444-445. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.

Thomas U. Gill, merchant and farmer of Lookout, St. Helena parish, La., and a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, is the son of William T. and Arminda (Bennett) Gill. The parents moved to St. Helena parish, La.. from Mississippi in 1886, and there the father died in 1883. The mother is still living and resides in Greensburg with her son, Jesse B. Gill Their family consisted of nine children who are named in the order of their births as follows: William A., Mattie K., John J., Arra (deceased), Lafayette (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Jesse B., William T. (deceased) and Thomas U. (subject).

The last named was born in Mississippi in 1857 and came with his parents to St. Helena parish in 1866. He secured a good English education in the common schools of Louisiana and subsequently engaged in farming. In 1881 he married Miss Victoria J. Williams of A-mite county, Miss., and daughter of Richard and Jane (Wilson) Williams, who were the parents of the following children: Emily, Luda, Charles V., Rebecca, Eliza, Albert B. and Victoria J.

Mr. and Mrs. Gill's union resulted in the birth of three children: Ella M., Lillian and Victor J. (deceased). Mrs. Gill died in 1887; she was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Gill's second marriage was to Mrs. Eliza Day, widow of Thomas Day and sister of his first wife.

Mr. Gill began merchandising at Lookout in 1885 and since that time has been postmaster at that place. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $4,000 and in connection with this enterprise is also actively engaged in farming, owning at the present time about 500 acres of land with 125 acres under cultivation. He also owns a good steam gin and is doing a good business.

He and Mrs. Gill have taken a little child to rear, Myra Williams, youngest child of Charles V. and Cornia Williams (deceased). Mr. Gill is a member of the Knights of Honor, and both he and wife hold membership in the Baptist church, of which he is a strong supporter and liberal contributor so far as able. He is a stanch democrat in his political views.