Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

James Howard Gillpatrick

James Gillpatrick was born in Blue Hill, Maine, in 1840 and received his grammar school education in that community. At age fifteen, he journeyed with his father, the Reverend James Gillpatrick, to the Kansas Territory. The elder Gillpatrick was a missionary to the Shawnee Indians.

Just a year later, young James joined a Topeka militia company and fought under General Lane in the “boarder war.” In 1859, as seasoned soldier of nineteen, he went back to Maine and studied law. Three years later, he completed his studies and was admitted to the bar.
But the youthful lawyer could not resist the call to arms and returned to Kansas where he joined the union army.

He was commissioned a major in the Second Kansas Colored Infantry. Later, the unit designation was changed to the Eighty-third U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment and Gillpatrick was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He served gallantly throughout he war.

After the Civil War, Gillpatrick settled in Junction City, Kansas, where he practiced law and was elected Geary County attorney. In 1871, he moved to Leavenworth where he was soon recognized as a lawyer of superior ability. His popularity was such that in 1876, he was elected to the state senate and later served several terms as city attorney.

In the early 1890’s, Mr. Gillpatrick was elected judge of the Kansas First District, a position he held with distinction for three terms. During the second year of his last term, he retired due to failing health. Although he visited several European spas in an attempt to find a cure for his illness it finally resulted in his death in 1913 at the age of 73.

Judge Gillpatrick possessed a fine library which he used extensively to study law and literature. He was especially fond of the Bible and Shakespeare, which he said were indispensable to the practice of his profession.

Source: “J.H. Gillpatrick, Former District Judge, Dead At 73,” Leavenworth Daily Times, June 4, 1913.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.