My Genealogy Hound

J. LEROY GILLET. This gentleman, who is not only well and favorably known in his own locality as a first-class agriculturist, but also in adjoining counties, is one of Cortland County’s oldest, most active and most respected farmers. He was born on the farm he now owns, and upon which he lives, April 15, 1822, and is therefore over seventy-six years old at this writing (1898). His activity and the interest he evinces in all the town affairs come little short of being wonderful. He is a son of Nathan and Lucinda (Horton) Gillet, and grandson of Nathaniel Gillet, who was a farmer and passed his days in Columbia County, N. Y., where his son Nathan was born.

Nathan Gillet grew to manhood in Columbia County, married there, and in 1814 came to Cortland County, and bought the farm of Mr. Calvert, the property consisting of fifty acres of forest land, which was all heavily wooded except a little clearing, in the center of which was a log cabin. Taking possession of the cabin until he was able to provide more substantial shelter, he set to work to clear and render arable the land on which the virgin forests stood. It was not long ere he had added eighty acres more to his original purchase, and as soon as he was able to procure sawed lumber, he built himself a frame house. Farming and clearing the land did not limit his activities. At this time it was discovered that there were large deposits of marl throughout Central New York, and Mr. Gillet found that he was fortunate in having ownership over a small lake, in which he found marl to be present in no small quantities. Realizing the importance of the industry, he employed several men to give him the requisite aid, and set to work to remove the marl from the bed of the lake, burn it in a lime-kiln he had caused to be constructed, and transport it by teams by way of Newark Valley to Owego, where it was sold on the market. On the north side of this little body of water, from which so much mineral wealth had been drawn, was a fine growth of maple trees and other valuable species. This grove he saved from desecration by the woodman’s axe, and this spot became a favorite locality for picnics, for he carefully kept the under-brush trimmed and out of the way, and never allowed a single tree to be cut down. He died at fifty-eight years of age, while his wife lived to be fifty-nine. Their children were: Orlando A.; Asenath H.; Adelia; Amanda M.; J. Leroy; Fayette; Albertus; and Lucian, who makes his home with our subject. Nathan Gillet was originally a Jacksonian Democrat, but latterly became a Whig.

He served as poormaster, and held other of the town offices; he was on a number of occasions sent as a delegate from his district to the county convention. As a Mason, he took many of the degrees, and always made it a point to attend the yearly meetings of the grand lodge, of which he is an honored member.

Our subject received his education in the district schools, and during his boyhood years willingly gave his labor and time to his father in assisting in the farm work and in making lime. After his parents’ deaths, he bought the homestead from the other heirs, and in all these succeeding years has taken every opportunity of improving and beautifying the surroundings. He keeps a choice dairy of milch cows, and also gives some little time and attention to the raising of sheep. In short, his farming is diversified in its character, and follows the most practical and sensible lines. He is acknowledged to own one of the choicest farms in the county. He carried on the manufacture of lime some ten years, but now has completely discontinued work in that direction. He has respected his father’s wishes in the matter of keeping the grove in first-class condition. The place became so popular a location for picnics and summer outings, that in 1894 he was induced to build a small summer cottage for rent, and to supply the demand he has kept on adding until there are now six cottages, each furnished with awnings. He has made improvements on similar lines in other quarters of the grove, putting up an eating pavilion, swings, seats, etc. He has built a dock in the lake, and has some fine boats, which are much used by those followers of Izaak Walton, whose particular pastime is catching fish, that plentifully stock the little lake. This grove, whose development into a popular summer resort has been so natural and unrestrained, has been named, the name appearing on the sign, surmounting the large entrance, “Elysium Park,” signifying a delightful place. The grove overlooks the lake, while in the background on the farther shore is the line of railway of the Lehigh Valley R. R.

Mr. Gillet married Rhoda P. Rood, daughter of Ezra and Demaris (Porter) Rood of South Cortland, and three children were born to them, as follows: Edward Leroy, who died at the age of seven; Lewellyn, a mechanic of Cortland; and Mary L., who married D. L. Beardsley, and resides with our subject. Mrs. Gillet died March 5, 1867. Mr. Gillet formed a second matrimonial alliance, uniting with Melinda Beardsley, daughter of John N. Beardsley of Tompkins County, N. Y.; no children have blessed this union. Mr. Gillet is a Prohibitionist in his politics, and a Baptist in respect to his religious views and membership. He is a great temperance worker, and is much esteemed among his fellow-townsmen. His portrait* in connection with this sketch appears on another page of this work.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.