794
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
near Elgin in 1849, but later resided in Aurora. Mr. Gilbert died in Aurora, July 9, 1894. Mrs. Gilbert survives her husband, still residing in Aurora. Their children are Jennie Gilbert Staples, Mary Gilbert Hills and Edna Morrill Gilbert, all of Aurora.
WILLIAM J. GILBERT, retired, Elgin, Ill., born Jan. 9, 1847, in Brimfleld, Peoria County, Ill., was educated in the schools of Brimfleld and Elgin, coming to this city in the fall of 1866. He began his business career as a clerk for Bartlett & Waldron, and was later employed by Bartlett & Dennison, who were in the grocery store and restaurant business. In 1872 he began business for himself by establishing a book, stationery and news store in connection with the postomce. For some twenty years he continued in this business, when he disposed of it, and has since devoted himself to the care of his extensive tenement and store property. He was married in 1894 to Rebecca McBride Burritt.
LEWIS H. GILLETT (deceased), pioneer settler, born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1820; came west in 1850, locating in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, where he purchased a large tract of land and became a remarkably successful farmer, adding to his origi-inal purchase until his estate embraced 1,000 acres; was one of the founders of the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial Institute. He was married in 1850 to Miss Rachel Harmes, and their living children are: Arthur L., and Mrs. Rachel (Gillett) Shoop. Mr. Gillett died Jan. 13, 1888; his wife surviving him until June 19, 1900.
STEPHEN C. GILLETT, physician, Aurora, Ill., was born in Neversink, Sullivan County, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1826, son of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Curry) Gillett, and grandson of Ezekiel Gillett, who was of French antecedents, and was one of the earlier settlers of Neversink, removing thither from Connecticut. In the maternal line Dr. Gillett was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors. Reared to manhood in New York, he was a school teacher in that State, in his early life. Later he removed to Watertown, Ohio, where he taught school until 184S. During that year he came to Kane County, Ill., and secured a position as a teacher in
the public schools of the day. He next took up the study of medicine with Dr. Nicholas Hard, one of the prominent physicians of Aurora, and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1853, immediately beginning his professional career at Sandwich, Ill., where he remained until 1857. He then came to Aurora where he soon rose to prominence and, until his retirement in 1901, was one of the most popular and successful practitioners in this part of the State. Thoroughly skilled and widely read, he had also those qualities which endear the family physician to his patients, and make him both counsellor and guide, as well as physician. He belonged to the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and the Fox River Valley Medical Association, and contributed much to the general advancement of the profession. As a man of affairs he was no less successful than in his profession. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants' National Bank of Aurora, and afterwards one of its Directors and its Vice-President. Dr. Gillett was also President of the Aurora Cooperage Company, and the Aurora Bleaching and Dye-Works, both important industries, and the las!, named at that time one of the few of its kind in the United States. Dr. Gillett was married, in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Mendenhall, daughter of Thomas G. and Elizabeth (Hollenback) Mendenhall, pioneer settlers in DeKalb County, Ill. Mrs. Gillett was born April 15, 1833, in Middle-town, Shelby County, Ind., but was married in Aurora. Dr. Gillett and wife settled at Sandwich where they built the first house after the location of the railway station there. Dr. Gillett died Sept. 3, 1903. His living children are: Mrs. Ida Hobbs, Mae, William E., and Mrs. Blanch Watson, all at home in Aurora. WILLIAM E. GILLETT, a prominent manufacturer of Aurora, was born in that city, Feb. 3, 1863, where he received his education in the local schools and the Aurora Seminary. In 1893 he was chosen Treasurer of the Aurora Cooperage Company, and three years later became general manager of the concern. Up to the present time (1904), he has continued to fill both positions. His success is attested by the marked prosperity which the company enjoys, greater under his administration than ever before. It is now ranked among the leading industries of the city. He was married in 1890 to Miss Jennie Ball, of Aurora.
