Daniel H. Gilmer was born on September 10, 1814 in Christian County, Kentucky. He was the son of Dr. John Thornton and Martha Gaines Harvie Gilmer.
He eventually came to Pike County, Illinois settling in Pittsfield where he practiced law with Milton Hay. In 1845 he married Louisa M. Quinby of Pittsfield. In 1869 Louisa was appointed postmaster of the City of Pittsfield. She performed her duties of this job until her death when she was succeeded by her daughter Elizabeth (Lizzie) Gilmer.
Daniel Gilmer was a friend to Abraham Lincoln and Lizzie would recall Mr. Lincoln visiting their home when she was young. On one visit Lizzie recalled the time she was swinging on the front gate as Lincoln approached. According to Lizzie, Lincoln picked her up kissed her then placed her back on the fence.
Lizzie told of another visit by Lincoln that caused her to get a scolding from her father when she attempted to charge Lincoln a toll to enter through the front gate just like she had seen on the toll road between Pittsfield and Florence, Illinois. Lincoln played along with young Lizzie paying her a picayune (6.38 cents).
In the election of November 2, 1852, Daniel Gilmer was elected state’s attorney of Pike County. He was very active in Republican politics and in 1860 Gilmer was one of the county delegates selected to go to the Chicago convention.
After Lincoln’s nomination and election Daniel Gilmer was invited to ride the Inaugural Train from Springfield to Washington D.C. When the train left Springfield at 8:30 am on February 11, 1861, Henry Villard, a reporter was at the scene and reported that Daniel Gilmer of Pittsfield was in the party accompanying Lincoln.
When the Civil War began Gilmer enlisted as captain of Company H, 10th Illinois Infantry on April 24, 1861 in Springfield, Illinois. On August 15, 1861 he was mustered in as major in the 38th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and later Colonel of the regiment.
On September 20, 1863 Gilmer was leading his regiment at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. The 38th was being held back of the main line as a reserve unit. Orders were given for Gilmer to move up and reinforce the flank of the 21st Illinois Infantry. It was during this movement that Gilmer was struck in the abdomen near the kidney area. Eyewitnesses stated that the wound would not have been survivable. Gilmer’s remains fell into the hands of the Confederate forces. In March of 1864 a surgeon from the 21st Illinois Infantry was walking the battlefield where the regiment had fought in September. During this walk he located the remains of Gilmer. The Colonel’s remains were boxed and shipped north to Pittsfield and buried here in Oakwood Cemetery.