Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 668. ROBERT A. GILLIAM comes from one of the prominent families of Oregon and is one of the representative men of the state. He resides now some eighteen miles out from Fossil on Sarvice creek, where he has three-fourth of a section and does general farming and stock raising. His ancestors were sturdy pioneers and their name is handed down in many ways, and one of the adjoining counties to Wheeler was named from them. Mr. Gilliam is widely known and as highly respected as he is well known. He was born in Polk county, Oregon, on July 15, 1853. His father, Robert Gilliam, was born in North Carolina and came to Missouri when a young man. There he married Miss Julia A. Chance, a native of North Carolina, who became a faithful helpmeet to him in his adventurous career. In the spring of 1846 they were part of a train that started across the plains with ox teams for the Mecca of the west, the Willamette valley. While on the way they were attacked by Indians and all their cattle destroyed or captured. This left Mr. Gilliam with his wife and child and a small pony to make the balance of the journey. His wife rode the pony and carried the child and he walked. A party was formed in The Dalles, when news of this was made known, to meet them, and thus they were brought finally to that place. Ultimately Mr. Gilliam went on to Polk county and took a donation claim. There he remained until 1858, when he went to the vicinity of San Francisco and farmed. After that he was in Tulare county, then in Kern county, and finally he returned in 1886 to Polk county. There he remained until his death. He was a nephew of General Gilliam, who was killed in eastern Oregon while fighting with the Indians. Our subject had the opportunity to attend school but six months, and to supplement this lack of schooling he undertook the task of digging knowledge from the books himself, and in this he has succeeded well. When arrived to manhood he worked for wages until 1884, when he went to eastern Oregon and finally located in the place where he now lives. Part of this land was taken under government act and the balance was secured by purchase. He handles horses and cattle, but mostly the former, and in this business he is making a good success. In 1884 Mr. Gilliam married Miss Ellen Metcalfe, who is a native of the Willamette valley. Her father, Robert R. Metcalfe, was a pioneer of Oregon. Two children have been born to our subject and his wife, Martha A. and Elsie P. Mr. Gilliam had no capital when he started, but he was possessed of the sterling worth that was found in his ancestors and he has made his way along splendidly, although beset with much adversity and many hardships. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.