The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-06-08
DEATH OF JUDGE G1LLETT.
Well known Pioneer Passed Away at His
Home This Morning.

Well known Pioneer Passed Away at His
Home This Morning
Death has again entered the lists OF
the pioneers of Kenosha county, and
this morning Gurdin Gillett, who for
years has been picturesque character
about the city, passed quietly to rest.
The death OF Mr. Gillett was not IN
Iexpected, as a short time agohe was
lstricken with an attack of paralysis
and his condition b as been very serious
for tie past week. At the time of mis-
death he Wasssurrounded by the entire
| family and conscious that the end was
tnear he passed away with that same
resigned spirit which has been so
characteristic of his long and useful
career. The arrangements for the
funeral have not as yet been completed,
but it will probably be held from the
house on Friday afternoon.
The death of Judge Gillett, as he
was Familiarity known among bis
friends, marks the passing of one of the
best known men in the county. He
has been so closely connected with the
development of the city and county
that is name appears on nearly every
page of its history. He was in his
ninetieth year.
He was born in Hamilton county,
N. Y, on Feb. Z, 1910. His parents
wereef English descent, and according
to i air ideas the son was given a
splendid education. His early life was
spent on the farm and later he was
educated for the position of teacher.
He VS. married to Susan Atwater in
Cayuaga county, N. z, in 1885.
He came to this county ..in l848 and
since this time he has always been
considered one of the prominent men
of the county. He first .settle6 in the
town Of Wheatland where he lived
until 1853, when he removed to this
city. He was one of the early teachers
in the county and the early develop
men, of the schools of the county was
largt u through his influence. While he
resided in the town of Wheatland he
took m active part in the political life
of Il town and was for some time the
representative of the town in the triple
role Of Justice of the Peace, Superin-
tendent OF the Schools and the repre-
sentative of the town on the County
Board After his removal to this city
in 1854 he was elected Register OF
| Deeds being the second man elected tc
/ this &c after the division OF the
I.county. He he'd the Office of Register
for three years and refused reelection
lin order that he might engage il
Ieducational work, in (which he was
always deeply interested. In 1871 ht
was elected so the Office of Justice O.
the Peace, which Office he held unit
i 1892. He was also elected Alderman
several times and has held the office O
Assessor of the city.
| Whatever may have been the value O
Mr.. Gillett in the various Offices he has
; held, to his constituents and to the city
at large, his greatest services to the
'city were rendered in the capacity al
School Commissioners. His interest ir
educational matters knew no end and
This great work for the schools of Keno.
shG cannot be ,oveFestimated. He was
"a member of the School Board for over
sixteen Years and bis work is shown in
almost every advancement made by the
schools during his regime.
Nh politics Mr.. 'Gtllett was Whie
until the reception of the Republican
party. He was a 'bitter opponent OF
slaEery and was active in anti slavery
movementsin this section of the coun-
try. He was a great >admirer of Horace
Greeley and when this gentleman was
nominated for the Presidency he allied
himself with the Democratic party and
since that ti1le he has been an ardent
supporter of the principles of Democ-
racy. During the past few years Mr..
Gille6S has not been able to be out
among his friends on account of his
feeble condition.
An aged widow and three children
survive. They are Lucy A. Gillett,
who is living at home; Miss Anna Gil
lett, who is employed as a teacher in
the Chicago schools, and John, who
also lives in this city.
The death of Judge Gillett will
cause sorrow in all parts of the city, as
he has large circle of friends who ever
regarded him as a true and trusted
personal friend.