The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-08-06
ONE FOR SIXTY YEARS
Mr.. AND MRS. GlLLETT Welded
THREE SCORE YEARS.
4 VERY HAPPY COUPLE.
At Their Home on Grand Avenue They
Quietly Recall the Day of Sixty
Years Ago When They
Were Joined.
Married for sixty years.

| Married for sixty years.
That is an unusual record, but it is
one made by Mr.. and Mrs. Gurdin Gil
lett Sunday, August 2, 1896, they
completed the record and are receiving
the congratulations of their hosts Of
friends.
There is probably not today in Ke-
nosha more respected couple, old or
young, than they are. They are loved
for their quallty's sake, and there is
not man, woman or child in Kenosha
who would not wish them today an
other sixty years of the happiness which
has been theirs for SO long.
Gurdin Gillett as young man of 20
made Susan Atwater, daughter of John
Atwater, an old revolutionary hero,
one of the happlest of women. The
event occurred August 2, 1886, in the
town of Geneo, Cayuga county, N. Y.
The ceremony was pronounced by Rev.
Setn Smith, preacher who had held
forth to his congregation in the village
of Genoa for forty years. Even that is
an unusual record for any time. It is
not often nowadays we hear Of a
preacher occupying pulpit for forty
consecutive years. sA
The result of the union made that
day is beyond estimate. The couple
has been blessed with seven children,
only three of whom now live.
| Mr.. Gillett has always been a popu-
lar man among his fellows. When
quite young he took up such studies as
were calculated to fit him for the pro-
fession of teaching, and in 1880 we find
him occupying the position Of school
inspector. He remained in Cayuga
and Thompson counties, New York,
until 1913, when he came west with his
family and settled on a farm in Wheat
land While there he served as super
intendent of the town schools, super
visor and Justice of tae peace, al al me
same time. He filled these positions so
acceptably that in 1853 when he moved
into Kenosha he was made register Of
deeds, which position he held until
1853.
When he came into town heoccupied
small house near where the Unitarian
church now stands. In the spring of
1854 he moved into the house he now
occupies on Grand avenue and has
lived there continuously.
In 1860 he was reelected register Of
deeds and held the position two years.
In 1871 he was given the position of
justice of the peace, and with the ex-
ception of two terms he held that Office
continuously until 1892. Several times
he has been alderman, assessor and
school commissioner, and was elected
to this last position in his 84th year,
holding the presidency of the board
until last May.
Mr.. Gillett has served the city on the
school board for sixteen years.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Gillett are now
in their Seth years. Both come from
quite long lived stock. Mrs. Gillett's
father lived to the age Of 81 and her
mother to 81. Mr.. Gilletts mother
was SO and his father II. He was born
Feb. Z, 1911, in Brookfeld, Madison
county, n. Y. Mrs. Gillett was born in
September of 1910 i'll Cayuga county,
n. Y.
In politics Mr.. Gillett is one of the
old school Jacksonian democrats. This
year he is on the fence" because Of
new issues. When asked the other
day how he would vote this fall, he
humorously replied: 81 understand
this is to be campaign of education.
I am waiting to be educated.o
Their union has been a happy one.
This paper with the other hosts of
| friends extends its CONGRATULATIONS.