George T Gillett

GEORGE T. GILLETT

The career of George T. Gillett since coming to this county in 1872, has been such as to commend him to his fellow citizens. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of the county, and he has been a prominent farmer of Center township for more than twenty years. He now owns one hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming land.

George T. Gillett, the son of William Henry and Margaret (Ruger) Gillett, was born in Orleans county, New York, May 24, 1871. His parents were both natives of the same state and lived there until 1872, when William H. Gillett brought his family to Shelby county, Iowa, and located in Fairview township. He bought eighty acres of land and increased it from year to year until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. He lived on the farm until 1909, when he moved to Harlan, where he lived until his death in 1911. His widow is still living in Harlan. Eight children were born to William H. Gillett and wife, all of whom but one are living, married and have families of their own: Frank, of Harlan, Iowa; Ida, the wife of Peter Jensen; Daniel, of Harlan, Iowa; Sadie, the wife of Chris Stofferson; George T., with whom this narrative deals; Nell, the wife of Chris Nelson; Alice, the wife of Frank Hayward.

George T. Gillett was educated in the schools of Center township, this county. He was only one year old when his parents moved to this county from the state of New York, and has lived in the state since 1872. After leaving school he started for himself by renting land in this township, and after his marriage he bought one hundred acres of the farm on which he is now living. He has since added eighty acres to his original purchase. He has placed seven thousand dollars' worth of improvements on this farm and now has one of the most attractive farms in the township. In 1914 he had eighty acres of corn which averaged more than fifty bushels to the acre. He feeds all of his grain to his hogs and cattle and markets about one hundred and fifty head of hogs and two car loads of cattle each year.

Mr. Gillett was married October 24, 1892, to May Petersen, the daughter of Simon and Carrie (Jacobson) Petersen, and to this union eight children have been born, all of whom are single and still living with their parents: Hazel, Everett, Lois, Russell, Fern, Francis, Vere and Dorothy.

Mrs. Gillett was born in Fairview township, this county, and her father was a native of Denmark, while her mother was born in Wisconsin. The Petersen family came from Wisconsin to Shelby county, Iowa, early in its history, and settled in Fairview township. In 1895, Mr. Petersen retired from the farm and moved to Harlan, where he is now living. Mr. Petersen and wife are the parents of six children: Ida, who is teaching school in Boise City, Idaho; Julius, living in Omaha, Nebraska; Octave, of Chicago, Illinois; May, the wife of Mr. Gillett; Edna, Fayette, Idaho, and Elton, of Harlan, Iowa.

The Democratic party has claimed the loyal support of Mr. Gillett since reaching his majority. However, he has never been anxious to enter the political game, preferring to devote his time to his farming interests and stock raising. Mrs. Gillett is a member of the American Baptist church. Fraternally, Mr. Gillett holds his membership in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the lodge at Harlan.

Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1126 - 1127