Otho L. Gillcrees

Otho L. Gillcrees was the son of George W. and Lovina Hollenbeck Gillcrees was born near Terre Haute, Ind., June 11, 1869. In 1871 he came with his parents to Kansas to a homestead in Darlington township near Newton. Later the family moved to Newton, and it was here the father died in 1877, leaving the mother with this boy of eight and a small daughter. Even at this early age, Bun--as he was commonly called-- felt that he must do his part in helping to look after the family. This was at the time of the "lean days" for Kansas and there was little for a boy to do, but "Bun" was always on the lookout for small jobs and very proudly added his bit to help defray the family expenses.
In that early day the section lines were not all laid out, and in places several sections would be thrown together and used for grazing of cattle. These cattle would have someone to look after them as there were no fences and when eleven or twelve "Bun" rode his pony from early morning till dark seeing that the cattle in his charge did not wonder away. It must have been this work which taught him to love the great out of doors, for although as he grew older, he was able to do other work, always he was happiest when on a farm where he could look after animals and work in the soil and watch the growing things. For eight years before his mother's death she was a helpless invalid, and during those years this son was always kind, considerate and loving.
Mr. Gillcrees never married and most of the time after the death of his mother, which occurred in 1899, he and his sister have been together practically all of this time being spent in or near Newton. Two years ago he went west, and it was at Long Beach, California where he passed away very suddenly, July 4, 1927, at the age of 58 years and 23 days.
Mr. Gillcrees was a quiet, peace loving man, always good natured and always able to find good qualities in every one which whom he came in contact. He always sympathized greatly with those whose lot it was to be ill a long time before passing away, and often expressed a hope that when his time came he might go quickly for he was not afraid to die.
Of the immediate family there is only his sister minnie left. A half brother Carl has not been heard from for over twenty years.