Alexander Gilmer
(Sept. 7, 1829 - July 30, 1906)
A native of Ireland, Alexander "Sandy" Gilmer came to the United States in 1846 at the age of seventeen. Settling first in Georgia, he worked for his brother John, who had a contract to supply ship masts to the French government. Later the brothers constructed a steamboat for use on the Chattahoochee River.In the late 1840s Gilmer came to Texas and entered the shipbuilding business in Orange in association with his cousin George C. Gilmer. Together they later opened a local mercantile.
During the Civil War, Gilmer served as a Confederate blockade runner. Through his efforts, local cotton and lumber were exchanged for much needed supplies. In 1863 he participated in the Battle of Sabine Pass.
After the war, Gilmer started a sawmill in Orange. Despite a series of fires which destroyed four of his mills by 1899, Gilmer became a leading lumberman of the area. His later holdings included mills at Lemonville and the Jasper County town of Remlig (Gilmer spelled backwards) and timberland throughout the coastal prairie of Texas. Gilmer died in 1906 while on a business trip to New York City. Twice married, he was the father of nine children
this page online
Incised on base
Descendants of Alexander Gilmer.
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11482.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 30° 5.16′ N, 93° 44.369′ W. Marker is in Orange, Texas, in Orange County. Marker is on Jackson Avenue west of Border Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orange TX 77630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Thomas Stark (within shouting distance of this marker); Evergreen Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Wallace Sholars, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Samuel M. Brown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Captain George M. Levingston (about 400 feet away); David Robert Wingate (about 600 feet away); Jimmy Ochiltree Sims Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Orange Dairy Company (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.
More about this marker. Located in the Evergreen Cemetery,
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
