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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Gillies, John
Gillies, John , Settler, Thames Street, Oamaru. Mr. Gillies was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1845, and accompanied his parents to Port Chalmers in the ship “Philip Laing,” in 1848. He went to school in Dunedin page 552 and was afterwards employed in Messrs Anderson and Moate's mill for about fifteen years. For some time afterwards he had experience on the diggings, and was also engaged in driving on the roads. In 1886 he removed to the Oamaru district, and was employed at Messrs Anderson and Co's Kakanui mill, where he rose to the position of manager. Subsequently Mr. Gillies became storeman in Messrs Mill Bros.' store for two years and a half; afterwards he joined the firm of Ireland and Co. as head storeman, and has continued in that position for many years. As a volunteer he served in the Anderson's Bay Navals, subsequently in the Dunedin Navals for about six years, and, later, in the Oamaru Artillery and Oamaru Rifles; and has served altogether about twenty years as a volunteer. For a short time Mr. Gillies was a member of the Maheno school committee. He was married, in 1871, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Burn, of Greenock, Scotland, and has four sons and three daughters.