John F. Gillis

GILLIS, M.D., C.M., DR JOHN F, physician; b. 21 October ca. 1843 in Miscouche, son of John P. Gillis and Cecillia MacLellan; m. 26 September 1882 Regina Doyle, and they had five children, Patricia, Frank, Harold, Raymond, and Regina; Catholic; d. 23 January 1899 in Summerside. Gillis, a Conservative, was first elected to the House of Assembly in the general election of 1882 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general election of 1886. For the majority of his adult life, Gillis lived in Summerside. While attending college, Gillis also lived in Charlottetown and Montreal. He went first to St. Dunstan's College, and later to McGill to study medicine. He graduated from McGill with honours in 1877. Census data indicates he boarded with John T. Linkletter of Summerside in 1881, shortly before his marriage. According to his obituary, Gillis was a capable physician with significant surgical skill. His positive bedside manner was greatly appreciated by his patients. Later in his career, he concentrated solely on an office practice. John Gillis died 23 January 1899. Regina Gillis, the daughter of Thomas Doyle, was born ca. 1846 and died 7 March 1904. The Gillis family immigrated to the Island from the western islands in Scotland, and settled on the north shore of Richmond Bay.