Among the many old residents and well-to-do farmers of Elk township is Joseph Gillett, who came to Kansas in 1871. Mr. Gillett had just attained his majority when he resolved to begin the battles of life in a new country and therefore turned his attention to the west, and settled in Republic county. He was the right kind of a young man, full of determination to succeed and applied his energies toward making a home. In 1877 he removed to Cloud county and bought his present well improved farm, which is situated three miles north of Clyde. About this time Mr. Gillett began to realize the importance of taking unto himself a wife to share in his struggles and responsibilities as well as enjoy his successes, and the following year was married to Miss Ella Steiner. One child came to gladden their home, Sadie May, but the angel of death deprived them of their little daughter, at the interesting age of five and one-half years. Mr. Gillett was born in the state of Illinois, in 1857. His father was of New York birth but emigrated to Illinois early in life and when our subject came to Kansas his father accompanied him and established a continuous residence. Mr. Gillett's mother died in 1879. There was a large family of children, six sons and six daughters and all are living.

Politically Mr. Gillett is and has always been a Democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. A modern residence, a comfortable country home and broad fields of cultivated land are keynotes to the people themselves and their lives. Men of this class to which Mr. Gillett belongs are invariably good citizens.