Andrew J. GILLETT settled in Section 32 of Union Township during April of 1855, a few days after John FOLTS, the first settler. Andrew, a native of New York, was born May 5, 1832 at Genesse, the son of Archibald C. & Mary (SCHUTT) GILLETT. Andrew married Elizabeth WRIGHT of Noble County, Indiana, on January 29, 1852. Andrew entered his land in December of 1854, which consisted of 80 acres of prairie and 40 acres of timber, in the company with with father-in-law, Stanbury WRIGHT, and his brother-in-law, John STROUSE. Later, Andrew owned 400 acres.

 Andrew and Elizabeth were the parents of thirteen children:

1) Archibald Stanbury GILLETT
    b. 13 Dec 1854; d. 15 Jul 1941, Spink Co. SD
    married 1876 Martha Anabelle McCARTNEY (1858-1938)
2) Helen Rose (GILLETT) FRENCH
    b. 29 Jan 1856, Wirt [Ellston] IA; d. 09 Jun 1893, Medicine Lodge KS
3) Alice L. GILLETT
    b. 10 Aug 1858, Ringgold Co. IA
    married Ephraim BUELL
4)Andrew J. GILLETT, Jr.
    b. 08 Jan 1859, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 31 Jan 1946, Olivet SD
    married Mary Elizabeth DEAN
5) Diadama P. "Damie" GILLETT
    b. 08 Dec 1861/62, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 25 Dec 1922, Shenandoah IA
    married G. W. RUTH
6) Mary GILLETT
    b. circa 1863, Ringgold Co. IA; d. circa 1864, Ringgold Co. IA
7) William Raymond GILLETT
    b. 16 Jul 1865/66, Ringgold Co. IA; 23 Aug 1939, Edmonds WA
    married Nancy Ellen BUELL (1863-1935)
8) Traverse R. GILLETT
    b. 1867, Ringgold Co. IA; d. of spinal meningitis, 1901, Ellston IA; interred Ellston Cemetery
    Traverse graduated from Drake University, Des Moines IA
9) Ida E. GILLETT
    b. 1870, Ringgold Co. IA
10) Charles S. GILLETT
    b. Apr 1871, Ringgold Co. IA
    married Nora M. LONG
11) Orr W. GILLETT
    b. 20 Apr 1873, Ringgold Co. IA
    married Josephina HAM
12) Maud GILLETT
    b. 03 May 1876, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 06 Nov 1915, Ellston IA; interred Ellston Cemetery
    married George C. COOPER (1876-1919), interred Ellston Cemetery
13) May E. "Mattie" GILLETT
    b. 03 May 1876, Ellston IA
    married Fred M. GIFFORD

Andrew died in 1914 at the age of 82 years. Elizabeth (WRIGHT) GILLETT was born in 1836, and died in 1918. They were interred at Ellston Cemetery.

SOURCES:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 p. 18. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.
WPA Graves Survey

Transcription & notes by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010