James H. Gillard was born in Erie County, New York, December 1, 1839 to James & Mylar Melissa (McPherson) Gillard.  He began working in logging camps on the Cunningham Creek the winter of 1859, and worked in the Neillsville, Wisconsin vicinity until 1861, when he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Infantry and served three years in the Civil War. On his return he was married in Madison October 27, 1864, to Rossetta M. Flick who was born in 1849 in Athens, Ohio to William and Margaret (Dailey) Flick.  Soon after their marriage they made their home in Clark County, and lived for five years on what later became known as the Otto Hantke farm; they then moved to Minnesota where they lived fifteen years before moving to the town of Sherwood.  Then moved to Neillsville where they spent the remainder of their days.  They were a well respected couple, industrious, honest and friendly. 

James was a member of the Methodist Evangelical Church of Neillsville and a member of the local G. A. R. post.

The Gillards were parents to a dozen children, four of which died at an early age.  Those who grew to adulthood were: Delbert Gillard, Mrs. Bauman and Mrs. Henry Ross of Neillsville, James D. Gillard, Derry, Idaho; Arthur Gillard of Watertown; Mrs. James Penny of River Falls; Mrs. Phil. Roland in Ohio; Mrs. Claude Garfield, Circle, Montana.

James died June 20, 1923 and Rosetta died 1931.  They were both buried in the Neillsville City Cemetery.