Peter J. Gillen Born: 07 January 1844 Bliesen, Rhine Province, Prussia Died: 04 Jan 1921 Amboy Township, Fulton County, Ohio

Peter was the second of seven surviving children of Johannes Gillen and Elisabeth Wagner.

Peter married Mary Mossing on 24 April 1869 in Bliesen.

Between 1870 and 1892, Peter and Mary had nine children, including Mary Ann Gillen.

Peter, Mary, and their three oldest children emigrated on the steamship Oder. It left the port of Bremen on 25 March 1876, and stopped at Southampton on 28 March. There were 50 cabin and 278 steerage passengers on its voyage across the Atlantic. There were strong westerly winds during the entire passage. The ship arrived at New York City on 8 April 1876.

The family settled in Assumption, Ohio. Peter worked as a farmer, and is said to have lost an ear in a wagon accident.

His youngest sister, Katherine Simon, emigrated with her family in about 1885, and they initially stayed with Peter's family.

Peter died at age 76 from dry pleurisy and myocardial insufficiency, and was buried on 7 January 1921 in St. Mary's cemetery in Assumption. His tombstone can be seen here.