Herman Henry Gilliom
1897-1962
Herman H. was born in Bluffton, IN on March 22, 1897 to Orel and Elizabeth (Kipfer) Gilliom and raised in the Apostolic Christian Church. On June 17, 1923 he married Carolyn Moser and moved to her home church of Elgin, IL. When they moved back to Bluffton, he introduced the tradition of bowing in silent prayer before the minister started preaching. Though this was practiced at Elgin, Bluffton did not practice it until he exemplified it; Soon the whole song-leader’s bench did it, and eventually the entire congregation adopted the practice. He was known as a gifted person who loved music.
As a song leader and friend of Brother Henry Beer from Milford, IN, Herman was asked to compose music for a number of hymns for Henry. Together they produced the favorite hymn, “Christian Friendship”, and three other hymns in Hymns of Zion. These are marked by their initials, H.B. and H.G. Through the connection with Henry Beer, Herman also composed new music for hymn #11 in Zion’s Harp, “The Union In Jesus’ Death”. This hymn is included in Hymns of Zion, #228. Herman passed away on September 14, 1962 at age 65.
Herman H. was born in Bluffton, IN on March 22, 1897 to Orel and Elizabeth (Kipfer) Gilliom and raised in the Apostolic Christian Church. On June 17, 1923 he married Carolyn Moser and moved to her home church of Elgin, IL. When they moved back to Bluffton, he introduced the tradition of bowing in silent prayer before the minister started preaching. Though this was practiced at Elgin, Bluffton did not practice it until he exemplified it; Soon the whole song-leader’s bench did it, and eventually the entire congregation adopted the practice. He was known as a gifted person who loved music.
As a song leader and friend of Brother Henry Beer from Milford, IN, Herman was asked to compose music for a number of hymns for Henry. Together they produced the favorite hymn, “Christian Friendship”, and three other hymns in Hymns of Zion. These are marked by their initials, H.B. and H.G. Through the connection with Henry Beer, Herman also composed new music for hymn #11 in Zion’s Harp, “The Union In Jesus’ Death”. This hymn is included in Hymns of Zion, #228. Herman passed away on September 14, 1962 at age 65.