Caledonia

GILFILLAN, John Bachop

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 200

John Bachop GILFILLAN, lawyer and banker, Minneapolis [Hennepin County], 
Minnesota, was born 11 February 1835 at Barnet [Caledonia County, Vermont], 
son of Robert and Janet (BACHOP) GILFILLAN. Educated at Caledonia County 
Grammar School, and Peacham Academy [Caledonia County]. Admitted to the 
Hennepin County bar and bar of the state supreme court in 1860, and later to 
the bar of the U. S. circuit and supreme courts. Was first lieutenant, 
Company E, First Minnesota Regiment, a three-month volunteer, mustered in 29 
April 1861 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. From 1870 to 1884 was a member of 
the law firm of Lockren, McMair & Gilfillan; from 1884 to 1895 a member of 
Gilfillan, Belden & Willard; and from 1895 to 1900 a member of Gilfillan, 
Willard & Willard. Has been director of the First National Bank of 
Minneapolis since 1894; president of the same 1900-1903, and since 1903 
chairman of its board of directors. Was a member of the board of regents of 
the University of Minnesota from 1880-1888. Republican, was city attorney 
1862-1866, prosecuting attorney for Hennepin County 1863-1867 and 1871-1875, 
a member of the state senate 1875-1885, and a member of Congress 1885-1887. 
Is a United Presbyterian, a member of the board of trustees of Westminster 
Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, since 1873. Is master of Cataract Lodge 
No. 2, Free & Accepted Masons, and a Royal Arch Mason. In 1870 he [John 
Bachop GILFILLAN] married [Miss?] Rebecca C. OLIPHANT, of Sylvan Mills, 
Fayette County, Pennsylvania; she [Rebecca C. GILFILLAN] died in 1884; they 
had four children: Robert C., James O., John B. Jr., and Rebecca Janet. In 
1893 Mr. [John Bachop] GILFILLAN married [Miss?] Lavinia COPPOCK of East 
Palestine [Columbiana County], Ohio.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly