Joseph K. Gill

Joseph Kaye "J.K." Gill (August 13, 1841 – October 1, 1931) was an English-born American retailer and publisher in the state of Oregon. A native of England, he came to the United States with his parents and settled in Oregon where he managed a bookstore in Salem. Later he entered the business and became the owner of the now-defunct J. K. Gill Company that operated in the Pacific Northwest as a book and office supply store.

Early years Joseph Kaye Gill was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1841 to Mark and Amelia Gill. He was the oldest of their eleven children. He also helped found Merchants National Bank and served on the boards of several local insurance companies. A Methodist, he was the president of his church's trustee board. The flagship Portland store of Gill's book business moved into a new ten-story building in 1921. In civic affairs he was Republican and member of the Club Commercial Society. before a long decline due to increased competition from stores such as Office Depot. In January 1999, the final seven stores of the office supply, book, stationery, and art supply retailer were closed.