San Francisco County
Biographies
EDWARD E.
GILLON
Now recognized as one of the leading hardware and lumber dealers of San Francisco, Edward E. Gillon, whose place of business is situated at 3946 Geary street, on two sides of the thoroughfare, near Fourth avenue, is likewise known as one of those aggressive citizens who have developed the Geary-Richmond district into the largely populated section it is at this writing.
Mr. Gillon is a native of Vallejo, California, where his birth occurred August 31, 1860, and he is a son of the late Mark and Ann (Brady) Gillon. Mark Gillon was one of the intrepid pioneers of California, having come here in the early ‘50s. He was followed later by his bride, whom he has met and married in New Orleans, Louisiana, while on his journey to the west. She is also now deceased.
Edward E. Gillon attended the public schools of Vallejo. When he was sixteen years of age, he learned the art of making candy, in which work he engaged during his school vacations. In the year 1884, he accepted a position at 407 Geary street in San Francisco with a candy firm, and remained in this capacity for seven years. At the expiration of this period, he entered the lumber and hardware trade as an employe of J. H. Kruse and while with the latter perceived the opportunity to enter business for himself in the Geary-Richmond district. This district had no improvements at this time, the streets were bad, and the population small, but Mr. Gillon had foresight and much confidence in the future of the site. He established his business here on January 2, 1896, at first in a very modest manner, but with the growth of the district his trade grew, and he became popular as a tradesman, also as one of the principal boosters and workers for the development of the Geary-Richmond section, which is now built up solidly. Mr. Gillon carries a full line of building supplies and hardware. His lumber-yard stands on one side of the street, and his hardware store and warehouse on the opposite side. His stock is always the best obtainable, his prices are reasonable, and his fair methods of dealing with his customers have all brought to him the meritorious reputation he enjoys in this city.
Mr. Gillon was married May 12, 1889, to Miss Sara Kruse, who is a native of Downieville, California. Her parents came to California about the year 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Gillon are the parents of one daughter, Sara, who is the wife of J. F. Gurley, and by her marriage the mother of one daughter, Sara J.
Mr. Gillon has been a member of the Woodmen of the World for a period of thirty-eight years. Outdoor sports have always been sources of keen enjoyment to him, and he is now an ardent baseball and football fan. He has never been remiss in his duties as a citizen of San Francisco, but on the contrary has been a stanch advocate of every movement directed toward the welfare of the city.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of San
Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 166-168.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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