James G. Gilmer was one of the courageous men who helped civilize the wilderness. He moved here from Kentucky in 1845 with his wife Elizabeth (Parrish) and children William S., George A., and Thomas S. James P. Gilmer, the fourth son, is said to have been the first Anglo-American born at present Honey Grove. A few months after the family settled here, James G. Gilmer died, and his burial established this cemetery. The town was later built on his land grant, which was left to his wife.