Eighth Generation

2874. James Robert Skillman was born on 22 February 1870 in Cloverport, Breckinridge, KY. He was educated LL.B., Univ. of Mich. Law School in 1896 in Ann Arbor, MI. James Robert Skillman received his education at the Cloverport High School and was graduated from Centre College, Danville, in the class of 1892 and from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, 1896, and was admitted to practice in Kentucky in 1895. He commenced the practice of his profession at Cloverport, but removed to Owensboro in 1901, since which time he has been engaged in active practice and has met with gratifying success.

In 1906 Mr. Skillman married Mary B. W. Gilmour, who was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, a daughter of Allen and Susan (Blair) Gilmour, her father a native of Scotland, who came to America a young man and engaged in the tobacco business in Owensboro, which pursuit he continued until his death. Mr. Skillman is a member of Owensboro Lodge, No. 130, F. & A. M., Joe Davis Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M. and Owensboro Commandery, No. 15, K. T He is a staunch Democrat in his political views and in religious affairs both he and his wife are members of the Fourth Street Presbyterian church.

-- A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities, E. Polk Johnson, 1912, p.1130.
In 1920 he was a General Counsel at Louisville, Henderson and St. Louis Railway. Co. in Louisville, Jefferson, KY. James died coronary thrombosis on 10 February 1932 at the age of 61 at Norton Memorial Infirmary in Louisville, Jefferson, KY. Cause of death was heart attack. (coronary thrombosis)
Obit in The Messenger, Owensboro, KY, 2/12/1932. He was buried on 12 February 1932 at Elmwood Cemetery in Louisville, Jefferson, KY.

James Robert Skillman and Mary Blair Woodford Gilmour were married on 1 November 1906 in Daviess Co., KY. They lived at 1409 Rosewood St. in Louisville, Jefferson, KY before 10 February 1932. Mary Blair Woodford Gilmour, daughter of Allen Gilmour and Susan Blair, was born on 25 December 1880. She lived 1409 Rosewood Terr. in Louisville, Jefferson, KY in February 1964. She died on 26 February 1964 at the age of 83 at Kentucky Baptist Hospital in Louisville, Jefferson, KY. Mary was buried at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro, Daviess, KY.