Ezra Gilliland Explained

Ezra Gilliland
Birth Date:June 17, 1845
Birth Name:Ezra Torrance Gilliland
Birth Place:Cuba, New York, U.S.

Ezra Torrance Gilliland (June 17, 1845 – May 13, 1903) was an inventor who designed the telephone switchboard and the magneto bell.[1] Gilliland had a laboratory in his home and "kept seven expert electricians employed" as he worked on his ideas. He built the first telephone exchange in Indianapolis in the 1870s under the name Gilliland Telephone Manufacturing Company and later worked for the Bell Telephone Company.[2] [3] [4]

Gilliland was a friend and colleague of Thomas Edison and the two worked together on many projects. They met as young men and called each other "Damon and Pythias" because of their close friendship. Edison met his second wife at Gilliland's home.[5] Gilliland wrote frequently in trade journals promoting Edison's inventions.[6] The two were business partners, even occupying adjacent vacation homes in Fort Myers, Florida, until 1889 when they had a falling out over business dealings.[7] [8] [9]

Personal life

Gilliland married Lillian M. Johnson.[10] They moved to Pelham, New York in the early 1890s.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Obituary - Ezra T. Gilliand . 6 January 2019 . New Rochelle Pioneer . Vo. 45 No. 8 . May 16, 1903.
  2. News: E. T. GILLILAND DIED AT HIS NEW YORK HOME -- A FAMOUS INVENTOR -- KNOWN IN INDIANAPOLIS -- ASSOCIATED WITH EDISON . 6 January 2019 . Indianapolis News . 13 May 1903.
  3. Web site: Early Telegraph and Electrical Manufacturers . Telegraph-History . 1918-02-16 . 2019-01-06.
  4. Web site: The Diary of Thomas Edison . ariwatch.com . 2019-01-06.
  5. Web site: Obituary, Mina Miller (Mrs Thomas A.) Edison, August 25th, 1947 · Edison Papers Digital Edition . The Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers University . 1947-08-25 . 2019-01-06.
  6. News: Gilliland . Ezra . The Phonograph . 6 January 2019 . Electrical World . May 19, 1888.
  7. Web site: The House (and Gardens) That Tom Built - October 2010 - Naples, FL . Gulfshore Life . 1947-02-19 . 2019-01-06.
  8. News: AGAINST EDISON.; THE WIZARD'S SUIT AGAINST GILLILAND AND TOMLINSON DECIDED. . 6 January 2019 . New York Times . April 11, 1890.
  9. Web site: Maintenance temporarily closes Edison guest house . The News-Press . 2014-10-10 . 2019-01-06.
  10. News: Good Times Began At Home and Stayed There In The Old Days In The Manor . 6 January 2019 . Pelham Sun . Sep. 9, 1938.
  11. Web site: Historic Pelham: Lillian Johnson Gilliland's Memories of Thomas Edison and 19th Century Life in Pelham Manor . Historic Pelham . 2004-02-23 . 2019-01-06.

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