Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

and when he gives ear to its promptings
the product of his pen is graceful and in-
spiring. Nor is Mr. Gillespie lacking in
a sense of humor. His ready wit and his
inexhaustible fund of anecdote contribute
greatly to the entertainment and happi-
ness of every gathering at which he is
present, and his keen sympathies make
him a friend well worth having in time of
need.
With advancing years Mr. Gillespie has
gradually permitted the burden of his
strenuous duties to fall upon younger
shoulders, but with interest unabated and
mind as keen and alert as ever he con-
tinues to write, as the spirit moves him,
virile editorials on topics of current inter-
est that attract wide attention. For a
number of years Mr. Gillespie has been
president of Gillespie Brothers, Inc., who
in addition to publishing the "Stamford
Advocate" operate one of the best
equipped printing plants in Connecticut
and carry on a large retail stationery
business. His brother, William W. Gil-
lespie, was connected with the firm for
nearly twenty years, and when he with-
drew, in 1883, the business was taken over
by Edward T. W. and Richard H. Gilles-
pie. In June, 1906, it was incorporated
under its present title.
During the half century and more of
his residence in Stamford, Mr. Gillespie
has witnessed the marvellous growth of
every department of the city's life. One
instance in his own career forcibly illus-
trates this. From 1865 to 1867 he served
as Postmaster Daskam's assistant, and by
these two all the work of the office was
accomplished. There are today seventyeight
men on the payroll of the Stamford
Post Office. The only fraternal affiliation
of Mr. Gillespie is with Rippowam
Lodge, No. 24, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and his only club is the Stamford
Yacht. He is vice-president of the Stam-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
351
ford Historical Society, and he attends
and contributes to the support of the
Presbyterian church.
Mr. Gillespie married, September 12,
1872, Emma Meudell, daughter of Wil-
liam F. and Margaret (Mitchell) Meudell.
Mr. Meudell was for many years collector
of the port of Toronto. Mr. and Mrs.
Gillespie are the parents of the following
children: i. Edward Lathrop, graduated
from Yale University in the class of 1903,
and is also a graduate of the Law School
of the New York University ;
now a resi-
dent of San Francisco, California. 2.
Gardner Wynne. 3. May L. 4. Evelyn
C. 5. Dorothy R., graduated at the Normal
School, New Britain, and is now a
teacher in the Stamford public schools.
The memories of Mr. Gillespie, enriched
by the experiences of long and wide acquaintance
with men and affairs, embrace
a period of more than three score years,
one of the momentous eras in our national
history, and throughout this long ex-
tended time his attitude toward the great
problems presented for solution to three
successive generations has been that of
a man whose fidelity to high ideals has
inspired his pen and determined every
action of his daily life.
GILLESPIE, Richard H.,
Printer, Publisher.
The debt which America owes to its
citizens of Scotch-Irish ancestry is widely
recognized and is past computation.
Characterized by deep piety, thrift, ambi-
tion and industry, immigrants of this
sturdy race, cherishing the same ideals
of freedom, religious and personal, as
brought the Pilgrims and Puritans to our
shores, have never needed to be assimi-
are naturally one with us. Of
lated ; they
such stock came the late Richard H. Gillespie.
He was born in Collon, County