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Louth, Ireland, August 13, 1848, son of
John (2) and Mar}' J. (Cunningham) Gil-
lespie (q. v.).
Richard H. Gillespie went to Brooklyn
with his mother, and was employed in
various lines of business for some years.
He then returned to Canada and with his
brothers established a hay pressing busi-
ness in Hespeler. Some years later he
removed to Stamford, Connecticut, where
members of the family were already resi-
dent, and became a clerk in the grocery
store of A. G. Weed & Company. Later
he became a member of the firm of Gillespie
Brothers. When the business was
incorporated in 1906, he became vicepresident,
treasurer and general manager.
At the time he became a member of the
firm, the "Stamford Advocate" was a
weekly newspaper, and the job printing
business, while satisfactory in volume for
those days, would now seem to be a small
business. From that time on the enter-
prise had a healthy, steady growth until
it reached a high position among the lead-
ing printing establishments in that part
of the State. In 1892 the paper became
a daily, and in 1895 the company erected
its present commodious three-story build-
ing on Atlantic street. Those who are in
a position to know credit the development
of the business largely to his energy,
enterprise, industry and business sagacity.
Among the master printers of Connec-
ticut he was recognized as a leader in the
industry. His thoughtful solicitude for
all in his employ, the kindness and gen-
erosity that were part of his nature, his
true friendship and his loyalty to all that
was right and noble, and above all his
cheerfulness and industry, will ever be
remembered by those who were associated
with him.
Notwithstanding the exacting demands
upon his time and attention made by his
newspaper and printing business, Mr. Gil-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
352
lespie found time to interest himself in
public afifairs. He was an active and use-
ful leader in numerous movements for the
general benefit of the community. His
sound business judgment and diplomacy,
coupled with unswerving loyalty to what
he considered to be the right, made his
counsel sought by important business in-
terests. He was an active member of the
organization of master printers known as
The Typothetae, and his death occurred
on September 7, 191 1, while he was attending
as a delegate the convention of
that organization held in Denver. He
was vice-president of the Fidelity Title
and Trust Company of Stamford ; president
of the Shippan Point Improvement
Association from the date of its organization,
and was identified with numerous
other business and social organizations.
His favorite recreation was found upon
Long Island Sound, on the shores of
which he had made his summer home for
many years. He served for three years
as commodore of the Stamford Yacht
Club, and during his term of office did
much to advance the interests of that or-
ganization. He was a member of Rippowan
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows ; and for some years was a direc-
tor of the Young Men's Christian Associ-
ation. Mr. Gillespie was a natural leader
and possessed the force of character nec-
essary to accomplish his purposes.
On October 4, 1870, Mr. Gillespie mar-
ried Sarah E. Scofield, daughter of
Charles W. Scofield, of Stamford, Connecticut,
and this union was blessed by
the following children: Edna, Elsie, Valina,
Richard H., Jr., a sketch of whom
follows ; William F., a sketch of whom
follows :
follows ; Kingsley
follows.
Schuyler W., a sketch of whom
A., a sketch of whom
In his public as well as in his private
life, the late Richard H. Gillespie was