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Joseph E. Gillis, formerly
a successful educator, is now engaged in the practice of law at
Blairmore, and although devoted to his profession, he has also found
time to participate actively in civic affairs, his influence being at
all times on the side of progress, reform and improvement. He was born
in Prince Edward Island, February 23, 1881, and is a son of Stephen and
Catherine (McNeil) Gillis, also natives of that island. To their union
were born fourteen children, of whom eleven survive, and the subject of
this review was the only member of the family to come to Alberta.
The public schools of his
native island afforded Joseph E. Gillis his early educational
opportunities and when nineteen years of age he became a teacher in the
schools there, being thus occupied from 1900 until 1905. He spent the
following year as an instructor in the normal department of the Prince
of Wales College and from 1906 until 1908 he attended St. Dunstan',-,
University, Charlottetown, of which he is an honor graduate, receiving
the Bachelor of Arts degree on the 30th of November of the latter year.
From 1908 until 1013 he was a student in the law office of Chief Justice
J. A. Mathieson and on the expiration of that period he came to this
province, opening an office in Blairmore, where he has since followed
his irofessiori with ever-increasing success. In April, 1922, Mr. Gillis
formed a law partnership with Donald G. Mackenzie and their clientele is
a large and representative one.
Mr. Gillis married Miss
Josephine McAree, also a native of Prince Edward Island, and they have
become the parents of two sons: Donald Edward and Allan Frederick. They
are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Gillis is also
identified with the Knights of Columbus. He is a stanch Liberal in his
political views and in 1921 was the candidate of that party for the
house of commons for the riding of Macleod, but failed to win the
election. He has filled important municipal offices, serving on the
school board, and for two years was councilman of his town. He was also
a member of the financial board of Blairmore for some time, being
connected therewith until 1921. He has a thorough understanding of the
principles of jurisprudence and correctly applies his knowledge to the
points in litigation. He wins a large percentage of his cases and
whatever he does is for the best interests of his clients and for the
honor of his profession. |
