from Jon Ridgeway:
Per Seattle death record 1286, he was b. July 11 1827 in NY and died Dec 19,
1903 at 42nd Ave and East Galer, Seattle, having lived in the city 39 years.

from a FAG member:
From The Seattle Daily Times:

December 19, 1903, page one:
JUDGE M’GILVRA NO MORE. Venerable Jurist and Pioneer of Seattle Died at Noon
Today. Members of His Family at His Bedside When End Came.
Judge John J. M’Gilvra, one of Seattle’s oldest pioneers and as well one of the
city’s best known public men, died at 12:15 o’clock this afternoon at his home
on Lake Washington at the age of 76 years, after an illness of about one month’s
duration. The death was not unexpected. He began sinking last night. This
morning his condition was much worse and his friends and relatives gave up all
hope. At a few minutes after 12 o’clock he passed peacefully away.
Death was mainly due to jaundice, with which Judge McGilvra was attacked one
month ago. For two weeks his condition became very alarming, but suddenly it
took a turn for the better, and the sufferer apparently was rapidly recovering.
One week ago he began feeling so much better that he planned on a trip to
California, where he intended to spend the winter. It was his intention to
leave Seattle about Christmas. Four days ago he suffered a relapse, and again
took to his bed. At first his relatives did not suspect that the relapse was
serious.
Thursday night, however, it was seen that he was in a bad condition, and
yesterday morning those who watched closely at the bedside knew that the end was
near at hand.
Members of the Family Present.
The jaundice left the patient with a very weak stomach. That coupled with his
advanced years, left his system in such condition that permanent recovery was
despaired of.
All the immediate members of Judge McGilvra’s family were present when the final
summons came. They were his widow, his two daughters, Mrs. Thomas Burke and
Miss Lillian McGilvra, and Mr. Oliver C. McGilvra, the latter a member of the
law firm of Burke, Shephard & McGilvra. Besides those mentioned, two brothers
C. C. McGilvra and Duncan McGilvra, of Iowa, survive Judge McGilvra.
Judge McGilvra first came to the State of Washington in 1861. He settled at
Olympia. It was the first term of President Lincoln’s administration. Mr.
Lincoln and Judge McGilvra for many years had been close friends. In Chicago
they had law offices adjoining. When Lincoln was elected he asked Judge
McGilvra to accept the post of United States attorney for the Territory of
Washington. He accepted it, and for two years acted in that capacity.
Retired From Practice
He resigned to take up the practice of his profession, which he had followed
continuously until ten years ago, when his age and failing health compelled him
to give it up. Since then he has [page 2] been retired from business, but had
always taken an active interest in all public affairs. The Lake Washington
canal proposition had been his pet for many years.
One year after he resigned as United States attorney, in 1864, he moved from
Olympia to Seattle. In this city he has lived continuously ever since. The
public office mentioned is the only one he ever held. For years he was one of
the city’s foremost attorneys. For many years he was engaged in the practice
with his son-in-law, Judge Thomas Burke, now a member of the firm of Burke,
Shepard & McGilvra. For fifteen years Judge McGilvra occupied the same office
in the Boston Block, on Second Avenue.
Thirty-five years ago Judge McGilvra moved into his home on Lake Washington and
there has always lived. It was the judge’s desire that when the time came for
him to die that that event might occur at the place he so long had made his
home. That wish was gratified. At that time the beautiful homesites on lake
Washington were dense wildernesses. Judge McGilvra always left his office in
the city erly in the afternoon so that he might reach home before dark, for he
said he feared the bears that were numerous in those parts.
Site for the Pioneers.
Judge McGilvra owned valuable real estate on the lake front that he acquired at
the time he secured his home. Recently Judge McGilvra donated a site and
building for a meeting place of the Washington Pioneers’ Association. Among the
pioneers of the state there were none better-known and few if any better liked
than Judge McGilvra. It can be truthfully said also that there are not half a
dozen men living today who know more about the early history of the State of
Washington than did Judge McGilvra. He grew up with it. He helped make Seattle
what it is.
In public enterprises Judge McGilvra was nearly always consulted. His advice
was sought. For many years he was an active member of the chamber of commerce
and in fact, up to a few weeks before his death, he attended the meetings of
that body and took part in the debates.
Judge McGilvra was not a member of any secret society. Neither had he
associated himself with any church.