Biography

10/02/1792 - 07/08/1881


Jefferson, McKean and Warren (1841), Clearfield, Elk and McKean (1852)

GILLIS, James Lisle, a Representative from Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Warren Counties; born, October 2, 1792 in Hebron, Washington County, NY; lieutenant, Mounted Dragoons, New York Cavalry, United States Army (1812-1815, War of 1812; Prisoner of War, 1814-1815, Toronto, Kingston, Prescott, and Montreal); tanner and shoemaker; owner, saw and grist mill; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1841 and 1852 terms; appointed, associate judge, Jefferson and Franklin Counties (1842); elected, Pennsylvania State Senate (1845-1848); elected, delegate, Democratic National Convention (1856); elected, United States Congress (1857-1859); Presidential appointee, agent, Pawnees Tribe (1859-1862); died, July 8, 1881 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa; interred, Forest Home Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa.

Congressional Biography

After 2 session(s) serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, James L. Gillis went on to serve in congress


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