The ancestors of the present family of Gilmour were natives of Scotland, where the family is an old and honored one. The first of the present line of whom there is record is John Gilmour, born near Glasgow, Scotland. He became overseer, or manager, of the great estate left by Richardson, the sugar merchant. John died in 1879, aged over eighty years. The family religion was Presbyterian, and he was a faithful member of that church. He was a careful and capable business man, and managed with skill and profit the trust confided to him. He married Mary Gilmour, a kinswoman, born in 1800, died 1888. She was a native of the same parish in Scotland, and also a Presbyterian. They had eleven children, three of whom died young:
- James, born at Paisley, Scotland, December 25, 1823; came to the United States when nineteen years of age and was graduated D.D. at Union College, class of 1850. He taught school at Princeton [Princetown?] and Ballston Spa, later removing to Brooklyn, New York, where he was engaged in the lumber business. In 1870 he purchased Falley Seminary, at Fulton, New York, from Mr. Griffin, paying $10,000 for it. He conducted the school very successfully for thirteen years, when failing health compelled him to retire. He died December 18, 1885. He was also an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church. His funeral occurred on his sixty-third birthday. He is buried in Vale cemetery. He married Mary J. Veeder, died June 13, 1909, sister of Mrs. Simon J. Schermerhorn (see Schermerhorn). They had four children, all of whom are living and married.
- John, see forward.
- Agnes, married W. W. Gibson, of Scotch parentage. She died in 1883. He died December 23, 1908. They lived in Albany, and are buried in Rural cemetery there. One daughter survives, Elizabeth Gibson, a resident of Albany.
- Allan, a resident of Albany. He has had two wives, whom he survives; has a son, Allan, who married Mary Coates, and has a daughter, M. Isabelle.
- Elizabeth, died in Glasgow at the age of seventy years; married John Rennie, who survives her; no issue.
- Neil, born in Scotland, died in Ballston Spa, New York, 1901; came to the United States and entered Union College, where he was graduated, class of 1860. He studied law, and was counsel for a large life insurance company. He was state superintendent of public instruction, 1874-1883. He married Nellie Clark, who survives him and lives at Ballston, New York; child, Harvey, died 1906, leaving Neil and Allan Gilmour.
- Matthew, resides in Glasgow, Scotland; married Margaret ————, and has John, Matthew, Mabel, and others.
- Mary, died in Scotland. She married William Strang, also deceased; children: John and Mary.
(II) John (2), second son of John and Mary (Gilmour) Gilmour, was born October 23, 1827, near Glasgow, Scotland, on the Richardson estate, of which his father was manager.
He came to the United States when still a young man. He learned the carpenter's trade, and desiring a college education, like his brothers, entered Union College, literally working his way through, and graduating class of 1857. Later in life he opened a stationery store in Schenectady, which he operated with success until his death, October 22, 1877. He was the best type of a Christian gentleman; was well known and universally respected. He married in Schenectady, July 17, 1862, Jennie Morrison Gibson, born in Troy, New York, educated in the Emma Willard School, and a teacher until her marriage. She survives her husband, a resident of Schenectady. She is a daughter of William (2) and Mary (McQueen) Gibson. William, born February 16, 1812, in Edinburgh, Scotland, came to the United States and settled in Troy, New York, in 1831, as manager of the Burden Iron Works; later was in charge of the company's business in Albany, New York. He afterward came to Schenectady as assistant superintendent of the Ellis Locomotive Works, continuing until his retirement. He died March 28, 1881. He was a Republican and a Presbyterian. He was a son of William (1) Gibson, of Scotland, a land owner and farmer, who died in the prime of life. He married Elizabeth Wilson who, on being left a widow, came to the United States, where she died in Auburn, New York, in 1878, aged eighty-four years. William and wife were both strict Presbyterians. Mary McQueen, wife of William (2) Gibson, was born in Scotland, August 25, 1815, died in Schenectady, January 4, 1882, daughter of Peter and Jennie (Morrison) McQueen, both of Scotch birth, came to the United States in 1829, after a nine weeks' passage, and settled in Troy, New York, where he died at the age of eighty years; she at eighty-four. They had four children:
- William Wilson McQueen, born in 1835, died in Albany, 1909; married Agnes Gilmour and left a daughter, Elizabeth.
- Jennie Morrison McQueen, married John Gilmour.
- Peter McQueen, born 1841, died 1885. He was an engineer on the New York Central Railroad; married Catherine Lister, of English birth, who survives him, a resident of New York City; has daughters Jane and Esther.
- Mary E., died in childhood.
John and Jennie Morrison (McQueen) Gilmour were the parents of three children:
- John T. B., born in Schenectady, October 25, 1863, died November 18, 1906; was a graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy.
- William G., born May 13, 1866, died October 31, 1901. He was graduated A.B. from Union University, class of 1888; graduated from Albany Law School, 1891. He was employed in the office of the county clerk of Schenectady county. His fraternity was Sigma Phi. He married, December, 1893, in Schenectady, Lillian B. Ellis, who survives him with her son, William Ellis Gilmour, born November 25, 1898.
- Robert Fuller, born in Schenectady, New York, November 27, 1874. He was graduated A.B. from Union University, class of 1904; is now of the firm Angle & Gilmour, of Schenectady. He is a Presbyterian and a Republican. His fraternity is Sigma Phi. He married, May, 1901, in Schenectady, Lillian B. Truax, daughter of Professor James R. Truax, formerly of Union University. They have one son, John Gibson, born September 23, 1905.
Mrs. Jennie Morrison Gilmour survives her husband, and resides in Schenectady in the old home, built many years ago by her father. She is an active member of the Presbyterian church.