Background
He was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania.
United States representative lawyer politician
He was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania.
He attended the public schools, Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and Saint Michael"s College in Toronto, Canada.
He studied law, was admitted to the bar in August 1874 and commenced practice in Greenville. Gillespie was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892.
He continued the practice of law until his death in 1899.
Interment in Shenango Valley Cemetery.