Ransom Hooker Gillet (January 27, 1800 – October 24, 1876) was an attorney and politician from New York. A Jacksonian and later a Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1833 to 1837.
Ransom H. Gillet | |
|---|---|
 From 1878's History of Columbia County, New York | |
| Member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 14th congressional district | |
| In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Beardsley |
| Succeeded by | James B. Spencer |
| Solicitor of the United States Court of Claims | |
| In office April 26, 1858 – April 2, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | Montgomery Blair |
| Succeeded by | Charles Gibson |
| Assistant United States Attorney General | |
| In office 1855–1858 | |
| Preceded by | George M. Bibb |
| Succeeded by | Alfred B. McCalmont |
| Solicitor of the United States Treasury | |
| In office May 27, 1847 – October 30, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | Seth Barton |
| Succeeded by | John C. Clark |
| Register of the United States Treasury | |
| In office April 1, 1845 – June 3, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas L. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Graham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ransom Hooker Gillet January 27, 1800 New Lebanon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 24, 1876 (aged 76) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Jacksonian (before 1832) Democratic (from 1832) |
| Spouse | Eleanor C. Barhydt (m. 1825-1876, his death) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States New York |
| Branch/service | New York State Militia |
| Years of service | 1827-1837 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 49th Brigade |
Biography
editGillet was born in New Lebanon, New York on January 27, 1800, the son of John and Lucy Gillet.[1] He pursued an academic course, then studied law with Silas Wright in Canton, New York.[1]
He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and commenced practice in Ogdensburg, New York.[1] Active in the New York State Militia from 1827 to 1837, Gillet attained the rank major as inspector of the 49th Brigade.[1][2] From 1830 to 1833 Gillet served as Ogdensburg's postmaster.[1] He was a delegate to the 1832 Democratic National Convention.[1]
Congress
editGillet was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837).[1] He was not a candidate for re-nomination in 1836.[1]
Federal appointments
editGillet served as a federal commissioner to negotiate with New York's Indian tribes from 1837 to 1839.[1] He was a delegate to the 1840 Democratic National Convention.[1]
On April 1, 1845 Gillet was appointed Register of the United States Treasury and he served until May 27, 1847, when he was appointed Solicitor of the United States Treasury.[1] He continued as solicitor until October 31, 1849.[1] In 1855, Gillet was appointed Assistant United States Attorney General and he served from 1855 to 1858.[1] In 1858, he was appointed Solicitor of the U.S. Court of Claims, and he served until 1861.[1]
Retirement and death
editGillet retired from public life in 1867 and authored several books, including a two-volume biography of Silas Wright.[1] He died in Washington, D.C., October 24, 1876.[1] He was interred in Glenwood Cemetery.[1]
Family
editIn 1825, Gillet he married Eleanor C. Barhydt (1806-1881).[1] They were married until his death and were the parents of a son, Silas Wright Gillet (1829-1878).[3] Silas W. Gillet was a graduate of Georgetown University and served in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War.[3] He later resided in New Lebanon, where he served in local offices including town justice and school board member.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r A. N. Marquis Company (1963). Who Was Who In America. Vol. 1607–1896. St. Louis, MO: Von Hoffman Press. pp. 204–205 – via Google Books.
- ^ Skinner, Roger Sherman (1830). The New-York State Register. New York, NY: Calyton & Van Norden. p. 354 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Fitch, Charles E. (1923). Encyclopedia of Biography of New York. Boston, MA: American Historical Society. p. 128 – via Internet Archive.
External links
edit
Media related to Ransom H. Gillet at Wikimedia Commons
- United States Congress. "Ransom H. Gillet (id: G000200)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Works by or about Ransom H. Gillet at the Internet Archive