Edward and Anie (Rowe) Gillett, brother Lester T. and Mary Gillett, Holyoke and Sterling



LESTER T. GILLETT was born Oct. 5, 1805 in Hartford County CT. He was married in Knox County Illinois in 1836 and seven years later he and his wife came to Jefferson County. In August 1843, they settled on a farm south if the present location of Packwood. In 1846 Mr. Gillett purchased 100 acres of land which is now known as the William Wells farm. In 1882, in dividing the estate, Jeannette, a daughter and wife of William Wells, was deeded the 100 acres of land. The original deed was signed by President James K. Polk. The land is now owned by their son and daughter, Lester Wells and Cora Cox. The farm has been in the same family for 98 years.

In 1870 Jefferson County, Iowa, Elzan Gillett is 49, born in Indiana, Jane 23 Taylor 21, Gannett 17, William 15, John R. 13, Edward M. 9, and Lester T 1, all kids born in Iowa.
Next household is Orlen H. Gillett 25, born in Iowa, with Elizzabeth S. 24 in Ohio and thier kids Nevada 3 and Oran T. four months.

In 1880 Jefferson County, Elzan is 54, Jennett 26, W.R. 24, J.R. 22, E.M. 18, and L.T. 11. Her mother Ellen Chapin 88 is with them, born in Kentucky.

Ellen J. (Jewell)(Riley) Chapin 1791-1881 is buried in Jefferson County, # 16584532.
William Riley 1790-1847 is buried in Henderson, Knox County, Illinois # 44506701.

Elzan (Riley) Gillett 1820-1904 is buried in Jefferson County, # 16555928, with Lester Tucker Gillett 1805-1868 # 16555907.

February 3, 1888 Holyoke "In a scuffle in Gillett Brothers store on Monday, Ed Gillett threw Eugine L. Titus on the floor in such a manner that the small bone of his leg was fractured. He may be confined to his bed for ten days or two weeks."

August 31, 1888 Holyoke, Colorado "Ed Gillett received word that his sister, who was residing in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, had died on the 21st inst. The lady had been in poor health for some time."
( Penelope (Gillett) McCoy 1841-1888 is buried in Jefferson County # 16521501.)
January 11, 1889 Holyoke

1890 Holyoke "We saw some cabinet photos of Ed Gillett's little babe, taken by our photographer, W.C. Powers, that, for excellence of work, would do credit to any artist in northeastern Colorado. Mr. Gillett expressed himself as well pleased with the work and it is a noteworthy fact that all who patronize Mr. Powers are well satisfied with his work. Do not go to the city for your photos but patronize your home artist, especially when you have as skillful an artist as we have. " The Logan County Bank was founded in 1893 by E. M. Gillett and L. T. Gillett. It was also a private entity, before obtaining a charter and becoming a national bank in 1905. J. J. Cheairs, who was among the region's first pioneer settlers, served as the bank's president from 1905 until his death just two years later. The Logan County Bank moved into a new two-story commercial block in 1902, at the west corner of Main and 2nd Streets. Later named the Foote Building, it served as Sterling's largest downtown commercial building for a full century until it was lost in a fire in 2002.


Both Ed and L.T. were at the funeral of their brother-in-law J.B. McCoy in Salida in 1899.


In 1900 Sterling, Edward, born Oct 1861 in Iowa, married eleven years to Anie M. January 1862 Illinois, have Bessie May 180, Asa C. Nov 1892, Rowe L. June 1894, and Fay E. March 1896.

April 1900 Sterling "Banker Gillett is making some improvements at his residence, including a neat little chicken house."

Bessie Gillett was in Sterling in 1910, 19, with parents Edward Gillett 49 and Annie 48. Asa is 17, Rowe 16,and Fay 14.
In 1920 Sterling, Edward is a bank president, with Annie both 57. Fay is 23, a bank teller. Edward's sister Eliza L. Pollock, 73 widowed, is with them.

(Eliza J. (Gillett) Pollock is buried in Jefferson County 1846-1937 # 16517945)


Edward 1861-1933 is buried in Sterling # 55377030, with Anie M. (Rowe) Gillett 1862-1945 # 55377035.

A. C. Gillett, an automobile dealer of Fort Morgan, being proprietor of the Gillett Garage, is known to his friends, - and they are many - by the name of Ace Gillett. He was born in Holyoke, Colorado, November 26, 1893, and is a son of E. M. and Annie (Rowe) Gillett, who were natives of Iowa and of Illinois respectively. The father became a hardware merchant of Holyoke, Colorado, where he located about 188S, but for the past twenty years or more he has resided at Sterling, Colorado, where he occupies the position of president of the Logan County National Bank. He has long figured prominently in business and financial circles of this, community and has had not a little to do with shaping material progress and upbuilding in that locality. His wife is also living.

A. C. Gillett was reared and educated in Sterling, Colorado, being graduated from the high school of that place in 1911. He afterward entered Culver Military Academy at Culver, Indiana, and still later pursued a two years' course in the State University of Wisconsin. In 1914 he was graduated from a business college at Burlington, Iowa, and having thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties, worked in a bank and also at railroading in Burlington for six months. In December, 1914, he arrived in Port Morgan, Colorado, where he engaged in the automobile business, handling the Overland and Willys-Knight cars and the Republic truck. He now has> a very extensive patronage and his business is steadily growing. In 1916 he erected a fine modern two- story garage seventy-five by one hundred feet, with basement under it. This he expects to enlarge as soon as the war is over. He also owns a forty acre tract of land, which he rents, deriving therefrom a good income, and he is likewise owner of an attractive home at No. 505 East Bijou street, in Fort Morgan, and a residence lot one hundred and fifty feet square.

Mr. Gillett was married in March, 1914, to Miss Nellie E. Neibert of Fairfield. Iowa, and they are well known socially in Fort Morgan, where they have many friends. Mr. Gillett is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has been initiated into the Masonic order. Politically he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. His religious, faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles. In business connections he has made a most creditable record and is. now one of the prosperous automobile men of his section of the state. He utilizes his entire building in the conduct of his business, handles all kinds of automobile accessories, and something of the volume of his patronage is indicated in the fact that he now employs twenty-two men. He is a young man of but twenty-five years and his record is one that many a merchant or dealer of twice that age might well envy.


LESTER

Edward's brother Lester was in Logan County, too. He claimed a quarter in 7N 44W for Timber Culture in 1900 - that's near the Nebraska border in Phillips County, Colorado.

September 16, 1887 Holyoke "L. T. Gillett, from Winfield, Iowa, came the last of the week. Mr. Gillett is late from Elliott's Business College at Burlington, and comes out here to visit his brother , who is in the hardware business ..
August 24, 1888 Holyoke "Lester Gillett departed last night for a visit at tbe parental home at Fairfield Iowa."

Holyoke State Herald, Holyoke, Colorado, May 30, 1890 "Ed Gillett smiles all over his face now when you meet him. Cause, a new girl baby at his house. "

1891 Holyoke " Lester Gillett returned last week from Burlington, Iowa, where he recently completed a full course of study in the business college of that city. "

October 6, 1899
January 12, 1900 "Mrs. L. T. Gillett and children left Denver Wenesday morning. Mr. Gillett joined her there the following day and the start was made for the coast."

May 4, 1900 Sterling - in 1900 Los Angeles County, Lester born August 1868 married six years to Mary January 1875, both born in Iowa, have Clarence S. Sept 1894 and Glenn D. April 1897, both born in Colorado.


In 1920 Ed was still in Sterling, and Lester was in Goldendale.
The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 18, 1920, page 7
Taylor Z Gillett, born at Brookville, Iowa, November 21, 1848, married December 15, 1874, to Mary Mowery, died March 5th, 1920. He was one of the progressive and successful farmers of Jefferson county, Iowa, during the active years of his life, and while on the farm his three children, a son and two daughters, were born.
In 1897, with his son, K.C. Gillett, he organized the Farmers’ Savings Bank, of Packwood, Iowa, and moved to the town of the Packwood to look after the management of the bank.
In 1901, he became interested with his brothers in the Logan County National Bank, of Sterling, Colorado, to which place he moved into 1902. At this place he also assisted in the organization and managed the PlatteValley Lumber and Mercantile Company. In 1905, with his brother, L.T. Gillett, he became interested in the banking business of Klickitat county, his son, K.C. Gillett, taking charge of the State Bank of Goldendale in that year as president, but his death in 1907 was such a shock to his father that he was forced to give up the management of the business in Colorado and practically retired from business life.
He moved to Washington state in 1913, making his home in White Salmon until 1916, when he moved to Goldendale, building the home on Columbus avenue, which he occupied until his death. At the time of his death he was president of the Farmers’ State Bank of Centerville, vice-president of the State Bank of Goldendale, and the Columbia State Bank of White Salmon.
He was always actively interested in anything for the upbuilding of the community, a kind and generous father and a dependable neighbor and friend, and in his death the community suffers a great loss.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. H.W. Loughary of this city, and Mrs. George A. Reed of White Salmon; four brothers, L.T. Gillett of Goldendale; E.M. Gillett of Sterling, Colorado; John R. Gillett of Quincy, Illinois, and W.R. Gillett of Fostoria, Iowa; two sisters, Ellen M. Stockton, Buena Park, California, and Eliza J. Pollock of Sterling, Colorado.
The funeral services were held in Portland Tuesday, March 9th, and the body was laid to rest in the Mt. Scott Park cemetery.


Note: Book on Benoni Gillett and from Carol Thompson, his Great grand daughter.
Lester Tucker Gillett, Jr. lived with his brother John on the farm for nearly 5 years with their mother keeping house for them until the fall of 1886. He attended public schools in Jefferson Co., and was a graduate of Elliotts Business College of Burlington Iowa. Specializing in commercial Law and banking. In Sept of 1887 with his brother E. M. he engaged in the hardware and harness business at Holyoke, Colorado. This was the first store in this town. With drought homesteaders abandoned farms and left business dwindeled and in the spring of 1891 L. T. took civil service examination for Railway mail service, made clerk in Aug of 1891. From Denver to ogden utah. Dec 1891 he exchanged that run for one from Salida to Silverton Co. with headquaters at Salido Co. In march of 1892 he made a trip to CA., and then north to Vancouver B.C. looking for a bank location. In Aug of 1893 he vistited the Worlds Fair in Chicago, with his fiancee. In Competince Iowa he married Mary Ulrey. Death: 1937 Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA




Clarence said he was born at Sterling on September 20, 1894 , and was going to China on missionary work in 1921.
Glenn was born at Sterling on April 14, 1895, and applied for Masonic membership in 1921 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Glenn was a radio partner in 1940 Fairfax County, Virginia, 41, with Dorothy 40 born in Massachusetts. Robert 17, David 15, Richard 14, and Ncancy 11 were all born in New Jersey.
Glenn died in Harwich, Massachusetts June 3, 1980.
December 1990, Alexandria, Virginia "Dorothy W. Gillett, 91, a former Alexandria resident who helped her husband in his radio consulting business, Glenn D. Gillett & Associates, died of congestive heart failure Dec. 2 at the Berkshire Health Care Center in Roanoke.
Mrs. Gillett was born in Cambridge, Mass., and graduated from Wellesley College. She moved to the Washington area in 1935 and lived in Alexandria until 1953. She later lived in California and Masschusetts, and she moved to Roanoke in 1980.
She was a volunteer at the Alexandria Hospital and a member of the Belle Haven Garden Club and what is now the National Presbyterian Church. Her husband died in 1980.
Survivors include three children, Robert S. Gillett of Auburndale, Mass., Richard C. Gillett of McLean and Nancy M. Gillett of Roanoke; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Another son, David L. Gillett, was killed in action in Italy during World War II while serving in the Army."

One descendant wrote
"My grandmother (no longer with us) got her BS in Astronomy from Wellesley in 1919, and had a long distinguished career first working on a family business which set up the first radio networks across the country, and ended up working for Lockheed for many years doing orbital calculations on the Mercury and Apollo projects.  One of her titles when she worked for Lockheed was “Head Computer” so I always tell people I came by mathematical talent (such as it is, but I do have a PhD in OR from MIT) because “my grandmother was a computer”.
If you ever travel on the NJ Turnpike, and see all those radio towers in the Meadowlands (salt flats outside Newark) it’s because MY grandparents discovered that radio waves travel much better/farther in waterlogged sands then they do when broadcast off high buildings.  So people think of that RKO image of radio waves coming off the Empire State Building, but when they did that they couldn’t get radio waves to GO far enough to join them up into networks until my grandparents figured the salt flats business out.  So that’s how she started her career, and she ended it working on space projects.  (And raised 4 kids somewhere in there.)
The mathematical talent skipped a generation (my mother was a psychologist), but I got it and so did my daughters (1st of which is a Civil Engineer).  But I don’t have grandchildren yet (and it’s still a little early).
But MY grandma understood STEM!  Thank you for reminding me of that happy memory today.    

Earl K. Ramsey married Bessie Gillette on September 27, 1916 in Sterling.
They had William Edward Ramsey in Bexar County, Texas on September 19, 1917.

In 1940 Oklahoma City, Erle is an appraisor with the State of Oklahoma, 54, with Bessie 44, both born in Colorado. Margaret 15 was born in Wyoming, Robert G. 13 in Oklahoma.

Earl Knowles Ramsey 1886-1956 is buried in Oklahoma City # 94334911, with Bessie (Gillett) Ramsey 1890-1976 # 94335053.

Robert G. Ramsey 1927-2012 is in the same cemetery # 102411331.