Gilla Perry Wilhoyte
b. 17 September 1838, d. 16 August 1928
- Father: Alpheus Wilhoyte b. 7 July 1810, d. 11 April 1856
- Mother: Gillah H. Perry b. circa 1817, d. circa 1838
- Gilla Perry Wilhoyte was born on 17 September 1838 in Bartholomew County, Indiana.
- Alpheus Wilhoyte and Elizabeth (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Sand Creek Township, Bartholomew County, Indiana. Other members of the household included Gilla Perry Wilhoyte, Rebecca Jane Wilhoyte and Sarah M. Wilhoyte. Also in the household were Thomas (age 8) and John (age 6), Newsom, Elizabeth's sons from an earlier marriage.
- She married Isham Thompson Simmons on 26 April 1855 in Marion County, Illinois, and had twelve children (not yet recorded).
- Gilla Perry Wilhoyte became a widow at the 5 March 1910 death of her husband Isham Thompson Simmons.
- Gilla Perry Wilhoyte died on 16 August 1928 at age 89 in Wayne County, Illinois.
- She was interred at Cisne Cemetery, Cisne, Wayne County, Illinois.
- The following appeared in a local newspaper: Gilla Perry Simmons, daughter of Alpheus and Gilla H. Wilhoyte, was born at Columbus, Indiana, September 17, 1838, and departed this life at her home in Cisne, Ill. August 16, 1928, at 9:45 p.m. at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 2 days. She was united in marriage to Isom Simmons April 26th, 1855, near Salem in Marion county, Ill. Twelve children were born to this union, six of whom, Benjamin, Isom, Delia, Rufus and two infants, precede the mother in death. The living children are Sarah E. Kreidler, Rebecca J. Reid, W.B. Simmons and C.A. Simmons, of Cisne, Ill, Della Munkers of Buffalo, Wyoming, and J. Simeon Simmons of the state of Washington.
About ten years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons moved to Wayne county, Illinois, where the remaninder of their lives was spent, the husband preceding her in death March 15, 1910. In her early years Mrs. Simmons gave her life to the Savior and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. She remained a faithful Christian until the Lord called her to come and occupy the mansion prepared for her. Hers was a life of sacrifice and self-denial and she was always ready and willing to help wherever help was needed. During the Civil War, while her husband was in the service of his country, she cared for three small children and took care of the farm crops. After a long, useful life she was ready and anxious to go and be with the Lord. During her last illness of nearly three weeks she suffered much and often prayed for the Master to come and take her to that Land where there is no suffering. Tender hands did all that could be done to rellieve the suffering, until the end came peaceably.
Besides the six children she leaves to mourn her parting 44 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandchildren, two half brothers, Alpheus Wilhoyte of Pittsburg, Penn., and Joseph Wilhoyte of Missouri, one half sister, Mrs. Amanda Jones of Missouri, a number of other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church of which the deceased had been a member for many years. Rev. H. Heyer, the pastor, officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Cisne cemetery.
- Last Edited: 4 Mar 2011