Legislator Details
John Elmer Gillett
AKA:
Number of sessions served 4
Gender: Male
Age at election: 44
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 10/3/1878
City: Clearwater Township, Michigan
County: Kalkaska County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 4/11/1957
City: Kalkaska, MI
County: Kalkaska County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City: Rapid City, MI
County: Kalkaska County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Clearwater Township Cemetery
Marital Information:
single
Number of Children: 0
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: farmer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Eli and Mary (Bolton) Gillett. He served as supervisor for 30 years, acting as chairman of the board during 2 terms. He was director Board of Education District No. 1 and connected with the farm organization of the county as president of Rapid City Co-operative Association. Member of the Grange; the Order of Gleaners the Odd Fellows [I.O.O.F.]; Knights of Pythias; and the Masons.
Notable Facts:
Per Find-a-Grave.com, 5/20/2026, he was the only person from Kalkaska County to become a State Representative? and held that office for 2 terms.
Sessions Served:
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, 1929-1930
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Conservation, Education , Michigan Farm Colony for Epileptics, Revision & Amendment of the Constitution , State Sanatorium
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Rapid City
County of Residence Antrim
District: Antrim
District Description: Antrim, Kalkaska and Missaukee Counties
Date Elected: 11/6/1928
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1929
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Unknown
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Chair of Michigan Farm Colony for Epileptics.
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, 1927-1928
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: College of Mines , Conservation, General Taxation , Public Health , State Sanatorium
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Rapid City
County of Residence Kalkaska
District: Antrim
District Description: Counties of Antrim, Kalkaska and Missaukee
Date Elected: 11/2/1926
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1927
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Public Health
Fifty-Third Legislature, 1925-1926
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Conservation, Michigan School for the Blind , Public Utilities , Revision and Amendment of the Statutes , Western State Normal School
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Rapid City
County of Residence Kalkaska
District: Missaukee
District Description: Counties of Antrim, Missaukee and Kalkaska
Date Elected: 11/4/1924
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1925
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Western State Normal School
Fifty-Second legislature, 1923-1924
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Conservation, Michigan Farm Colony for Epileptics, Printing , State Public Schools , Village Corporations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Rapid City
County of Residence Kalkaska
District: Missaukee
District Description: Comprising the counties of Missaukee and Kalkaska
Date Elected: 11/7/1922
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1923
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: