Husband Mellville Gillett 1
Born: 30 Jun 1872 - Iowa Center, IA 2
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Died:
Buried:
Father: Dr. James Selah Gillett (1843- ) 3
Mother: Frances Katherine Ayres (1844-1909) 3
Marriage: 24 Oct 1898 2
Wife Harriet Forbes Redfield 1
Born: 4 Aug 1874 - Smethport, McKean Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died:
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Father: Horace Victor Eugene Redfield (1845-1881) 4 5 6
Mother: Jeannette Hamlin (1852- ) 4 6 7 8
Children
1 F Bernice Gillett 2
Born: 12 Feb 1901 - Smethport, McKean Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died: 5 Feb 1903 2
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
2 M Redfield Byron Gillett 2
Born: 1 May 1904 2
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 F Phylis Katharine Gillett 2
Born: 13 Apr 1911 2
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Mellville Gillett
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 retained interests in Newark, Ohio, retaining official connection in just two of the many companies in which he was 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 on 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 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 was 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 were 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 was an Episcopalian, belonging to St. Luke's Church of Smethport.