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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
ORLANDO R. GASKILL, dealer in general merchandise at White Oak, this county, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1834, and is the son of Milton S. and Ann Y. (Roach) Gaskill, who were probably natives of Ohio and both of whom died in that State. The subject of this sketch, O. R. Gaskill, came to this county from Ohio in the year 1852, and followed the occupation of blacksmithing until the year 1861, when he enlisted in Co. C, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., and went with his regiment to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., was taken sick immediately on his arrival, and discharged from service on account of disability, one month after his enlistment. Return- ing to this county, upon the recovery of his health he began work at blacksmithing, and continued in that business for eighteen years, or until 1871, when he engaged in the business of general mer- chandising, which he still continues. Feb. 21, 1856, Mr. Gaskill was married to Miss Julia A. Mather, a daughter of James D. and Mar- garet Watson Mather, of Clinton County, Ohio, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Gaskill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gaskill owns about six acres of land, upon which are a good frame dwelling, and a roomy and sub- stantial business house, in which he carries an aver- age stock of $3,000 worth of general merchandise, and is doing a large and remunerative business. He is postmaster at White Oak. Politically Mr. Gaskill is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has taken all the de- grees up to and including that of Knight Templar, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. Person- ally and socially he is one of the cleverest gentle- men in Mahaska County. His pleasant home is one of hospitality and good cheer, and to his friends, who are a host, the latch-string of welcome always hangs outside. Honorable, high-minded, upright, and of the strictest integrity in his every-day bus- mess, he enjoys the first position in the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy