Gilmore, Dwight

The following data is extracted from Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925.

DWIGHT GILMORE - As manager of the Court Square Theatre of Springfield, Massachusetts, Mr. Gilmore continues something of a family tradition. To give amusement of a high order to a community is a very real civic service, and Dwight Gilmore has high ideals in that direction, which he is more and more bringing to realization. The Court Square Theatre was built by Mr. Gilmore's uncle, Dwight O. Gilmore, and thrown open to the public September 5, 1892. Another family caterer to public amusement was E. G. Gilmore, founder of Gilmore's Garden in New York City, and one-time owner and manager of the Academy of Music on Fourteenth Street in that city, in the days of glory for that old institution. Mr. Gilmore's branch of the family is traced to Captain Nathaniel Gillmore, of Stafford, Connecticut, whose grandson, Charles N. Gilmore, in the pursuit of his railroad duties, found his way to the State of Iowa. In Des Moines his son, Dwight, was born.

(I) Captain Nathaniel Gillmore (as the name was then spelled) was born in Stafford, Connecticut, where he became especially well known as a military man. His commission as captain of a troop of cavalry in the State Militia, which is preserved by his descendants, was signed by Governor Jonathan Trumbull, and Samuel Wyllis, secretary. Captain Nathaniel Gillmore married and had sons: Harry, a physician of Brookfield, Massachusetts; William, iron master of Stafford Furnace and colonel of militia; and Nathaniel, of further mention.

(II) Nathaniel Gilmore (as he spelled the name) was born in Stafford, Connecticut, where he died in 1843. For many years he was famous as the proprietor of the hotel at Stafford Springs, a regular and unique stop for meals on the old New York and Boston stage route between Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and Vernon, Connecticut. By his first wife, Elmira, he had children: John P.; William M.; and Sarah Elmira. He married (second), May 25, 1834, Charlotte Olmsted, and their children were: Charles N., of further mention; Dwight 0., who died in 1918, a large real estate owner of Springfield; Edwin G.; and Esther Ely.

(III) Charles N. Gilmore, eldest son of Nathaniel and his second wife, Charlotte (Olmsted) Gilmore, was born in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, in 1835, and died in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1912. When he was eight years old, his father died and his mother moved to her native town of Monson, Massachusetts. There Charles N. attended schools and picked up odd jobs to help his mother maintain the family. When little more than a boy, he went to Bellefontaine, Ohio, and by the time he was twenty-one was so expert a railroad man that he was rated an engineer and given an engine of his own. The rest of his life he spent at railroad work. After several years with the Illinois Central Railroad, he went to Des. Moines, Iowa, in 1874, where he built more than half of the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad. At the time of his death he was superintendent with the Rock Island Railroad. In spite of his high and dignified repute in the railroad world, Mr. Gilmore was a man of simple tastes, much sought after socially, who loved above all things hunting and fishing. He was a Mason, affiliated with Chicago lodges.

Charles N. Gilmore married Nellie A. Green, daughter of Albert Green, of Danbury, Connecticut. They had two children: Dwight, of further mention; and Louise G., who married Harry D. Rawson, an architect of Des Moines, Iowa, and who has two children, Charles Gilmore and Mary Scott Rawson.

(IV) Dwight Gilmore, only son of Charles N. and Nellie A. (Green) Gilmore, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, January 16, 1880. There he received his education in the public schools, noted for their liberality and thoroughness. For ten years after completing his schooling he was an employee of the Rock Island Railroad Company, but at twenty-six he moved to Springfield, in 1906. There he lived for two years, acting as treasurer of the Court Square Theatre, built and owned by his uncle. Returning to Des Moines, he spent five more years in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad. Again he returned to Springfield, Massachusetts, which has since been his home. There he is an important man in financial, as well as amusement circles. His wide experience of men and things, combined with his dynamic personality, has brought him many positions of responsibility. He is manager of the Court Square Theatre; treasurer of the Taber-Prang Art Company; trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank; and director in the Union Trust Company. He also has large real estate interests. Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are the Winthrop, Nayasset, Golf, and Springfield Country Club.

Source: Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925

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