He was the son of John Ward Gillespie & Anna Elizabeth Burts, born 25 Jun 1853 in Tazewell Co VA.  Joseph was a Merchant, owning 2 mercantiles in Kaufman County.  He was also the President of the National Bank in Prairieville for many years.

Sadie was born 13 Jan 1859, daughter of Ransome J & Frances E McElroy of Cherokee Co TX.  She died 21 Mar 1898 from failing kidneys after a difficult childbirth, and is buried at Prairieville Cemetery.

Known Children :

1. Arthur Gillespie   -  1878
2. Minerva Gillespie   -   1879
3. John R Gillespie   - 1881
4. Frances Elizabeth Gillespie  -  1884
5. Thomas Jefferson Gillespie  -  1890
6. Joseph Bryant Gillespie  - 1896
7. Sadie Gillespie   -  22 Feb 1898 -1 Apr 1898

After Sadie's death, Joseph married Sadie's older sister, Minerva McElroy in Kaufman TX on 1 Jan 1899.  They did not have children of their own and are recorded on the 1910 Census in Prairieville & the 1920 Census in Kaufman.  It is not known when or where Joseph & Minerva died.