Bolivar G. Gill (August 1821 – March 8, 1907) was an American lumber merchant and Democratic politician. He represented Ozaukee County in the Wisconsin State Senate in the 8th and 9th legislatures (1855 & 1856). He later served on the Chicago City Council. In historical documents his name is frequently abbreviated as B. G. Gill.
Bolivar G. Gill | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 14th ward | |
| In office December 6, 1869 – December 2, 1872 Serving with Patrick B. Sheil | |
| Preceded by | Lewis A. Berger |
| Succeeded by | Bartholomew Quirk and S. E. Cleveland |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 1, 1855 – January 5, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew M. Blair |
| Succeeded by | Herman J. Schulteis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1821 New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 1907 (aged 85) River Forest, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party |
|
| Spouse |
Sera L. Lamberson (died 1882) |
| Children |
|
Biography edit
Bolivar G. Gill was born in New York. He moved to Wisconsin Territory sometime before 1848 and became involved with the Whig Party in Dodge County. He subsequently moved to Grafton, Wisconsin, where he became involved with railroad development.[1]
While living in Ozaukee County, in 1854, he ran for Wisconsin State Senate as a Democrat, and was elected to the 8th Wisconsin Legislature.[2][3] After his term in the Legislature, Gill was one of dozens of lawmakers accused of accepting bribes from railroad companies and asked to stand down from any future electoral office.[4]
In 1858, before the report of the bribery investigation was published, Gill moved to Chicago.[5] He became a prominent lumber merchant and changed his political affiliation again, becoming a member of the Republican Party. In 1869 he was elected to the Chicago City Council, where he found himself on the other side of a corruption investigation.[5]
He remained active in Republican Party politics but did not hold office again. He was a presidential elector for Illinois in the disputed 1876 United States presidential election.[6]
His business in the lumber industry continued until 1885, when he retired.[5]
Personal life and family edit
Bolivar Gill and his wife Sera had no biological children, but adopted Eva Viola Keene after the death of her father.[7] Bolivar Gill died at his residence in River Forest, Illinois, on March 8, 1907.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Lake Shore Railroad Convention". Daily Free Democrat. December 29, 1852. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Candidate Against Macy". Wisconsin State Journal. October 24, 1854. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Heg, J. E., ed. (1882). "Annals of the legislature" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 189–191.
- ^ "Another Ukase—"No more Cakes and Ale."". Wisconsin State Journal. April 18, 1859. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Obituaries – Bolivar G. Gill". Chicago Tribune. March 9, 1907. p. 5. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Church, Charles A. (1912). History of the Republican party in Illinois 1854–1912. Rockford, Illinois: Wilson Bros. Co. p. 126. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ An Act to change the name at Eva Viola Keene, to Eva Viola Gill, and to constitute the said Eva Viola, heir-at-law of Bolivar G. Gill and Sarah S. Gill, his wife (PDF) (Act 44). Wisconsin Legislature. 1856. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
External links edit
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