Gillett is the surname from Guillot, the French diminutive for William. It is found spelled Gillett, Gillette, Gillott and Goelet. The ancestors of the branch herein recorded descend from French ancestors, the first of whom we have record being Montague Gillett, who came to the United States from France, settling in New England.
(II) Jonathan Gillett
Jonathan, son of Montague Gillett, settled in Vermont, married and had issue, including a son:
- Martin Luther Gillett. Of whom further.
(III) Martin Luther Gillett
Martin Luther, son of Jonathan Gillett, born in Vermont about 1819, died in Bath, New York, January 27, 1896. He was a farmer by occupation in Vermont and Steuben county, New York, where he settled when a young man. He was a Republican, and a member of the Baptist church which he served as deacon many years. He married Catherine Elizabeth Thompson, born in Rensselaer county, New York, died in Bath, November 12, 1910, a Methodist and an active church worker.
Children of Martin Luther and Catherine Elizabeth (Thompson) Gillett
All were born in Steuben county, New York.
- James Selah Gillett. Of whom further.
- Frances E. Gillett. Died in Bath; married Norman H. Daniels, now a merchant of Bath. Children:
- Lewis M. Daniels. Deceased.
- Katherine Daniels. Married John Wellington, a publisher, and lives in Rochester, New York.
- Mellville H. Gillett. A merchant of Bath; married Frances Daniels. Child:
- Elizabeth Gillett. Married Adrian Thurston, also of Bath.
(IV) Dr. James Selah Gillett
Dr. James Selah Gillett, eldest son of Martin Luther Gillett, was born in Bath, New York, April 30, 1843. He received his early and preparatory education in the public schools, later entering Cornell University. Deciding upon the profession of medicine he entered Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, whence he was graduated M. D. He practiced for a time in Olean, New York, then moved west, practicing in the states of Iowa, California and Missouri. At the time of his death he was living at Rich Hill, Missouri, assistant surgeon for the Missouri-Pacific and of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis railroads. He enlisted as sergeant of Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment New York Volunteers, but was detailed as assistant surgeon and so served during three years of the civil war. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. In religious faith both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. He was a skillful physician and surgeon and a man of high mental attainment.
He married Frances Katherine Ayres, born in Henrico county, Virginia, October 24, 1844, died in Newark, Ohio, November 11, 1909, daughter of William Francis Ayres, son of Francis Henry Ayres, of Virginia. William Francis Ayres was born in Henrico county, Virginia, about 1800, died in Des Moines, Iowa, 1870. He was a surveyor, a landowner and delighted in raising fine horses. He was at one time sheriff of the county in Virginia in which the city of Richmond is located. He married Katherine Delilah Kirkbride, born in Pennsylvania, 1814, died in Rich Hill, Missouri, 1901. He was an Episcopalian in religious faith, she a Carmelite.
Children of William Francis and Katherine Delilah (Kirkbride) Ayres
- Giovanni B. Ayres. An engineer, now residing in Des Moines, Iowa; married Elizabeth Harter, born in Ohio. Children:
- Lillian Ayres. Living in Des Moines.
- Jessica Ayres. Living in Des Moines.
- Another daughter. Living in Des Moines.
- David K. Ayres. A ranchman at Mountain View, Santa Clara county, California; has wife Rosa and children:
- Rosa Ayres.
- Chadbourne Ayres.
- Eleanor Ayres. Died in Girard, Kansas; married Edwin Howard Brown, of Bangor, Maine, a wealthy coal operator and railroad official, also deceased. Children:
- Frank Brown.
- Edwin Brown.
- Frederick H. Brown.
- Lulu Brown.
- Grace Brown.
- Henry Ayres. A civil engineer of Nevada, Iowa; married and had children:
- Gertrude Ayres.
- Harley Ayres.
- Frances Katherine Ayres. Of previous mention, wife of Dr. James Selah Gillett.
(V) Mellville Gillett
Mellville, only child of Dr. James Selah and Frances Katherine (Ayres) Gillett, was born in Iowa Center, Iowa, June 30, 1872. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Oakland, California, and when five to Carthage, Missouri, where he attended school. In 1880 the family moved to Rich Hill, Missouri, and while living there he entered the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. He later took a course at Westbrook Academy at Olean, New York, there finishing his education. During these years he had gained considerable experience in civil engineering, but deciding upon a legal career he entered Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., remaining for one year. On leaving the University he entered the service of the government with the geological survey, resigning in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American war by telegraph from his station in the field. He enlisted in Company I, Third Regiment New York Volunteers, as sergeant at Olean, New York, but on July 6, 1898, was detailed for topographic duty on the staff of the Chief Engineer of the Second Army Corps, serving until September, 1898, when he was honorably discharged.
In November, 1898, he located his home and business in Newark, Ohio, and became prominently identified with the natural gas and electrical development of that city as well as prominent in public affairs. In 1909 he selected Smethport as his permanent residence, but retains interests in Newark, Ohio, retaining official connection in but two of the many companies in which he is interested, being president of the Goften Manufacturing Company and vice-president of Burke-Golf Shaft Company, both Newark companies. He was secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Newark Natural Gas and Fuel Company, president of the Newark Gas Light and Coke Company, president for six years, of the Licking Light and Power Company, and for three years vice-president of the Augusta (Georgia) Gas Light Company. He was also a prominent figure in Ohio state politics. From 1900 to 1904 he served upon the staff of Governor George K. Nash, as aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel, and in 1900 was the Republican candidate for congress from the Newark district. In 1903 he was candidate before the Republican State convention for the nomination of state auditor and in 1908 for state treasurer. Among five candidates for the latter office he received the second highest number of votes in the convention. He was one of the influential leaders of his party and rendered efficient service during his entire residence in Ohio.
He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter and Commandery at Olean, New York; Council of Royal and Select Masters at Newark, Ohio, and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus, Ohio. He also is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, belonging to Scioto Consistory, of Columbus, also to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Newark, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are the Central of Smethport; Columbus of Columbus, Ohio; Union League of Chicago, Illinois; Ohio of Columbus; Metropolitan and Chevy Chase of Washington, D. C. In religious faith Mr. Gillett is an Episcopalian, belonging to St. Luke’s Church of Smethport.
He married, October 24, 1898, at Smethport, Harriet Forbes Redfield, born in Smethport, August 4, 1874.
Children of Mellville and Harriet Forbes (Redfield) Gillett
All were born in Smethport.
- Bernice Gillett. Born February 12, 1901, died February 5, 1903.
- Redfield Byron Gillett. Born May 1, 1904.
- Phylis Katharine Gillett. Born April 13, 1911.
See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania
Source
Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content
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