Born March 1831 in Batavia, Genesee, New York. He married, on the January 17, 1856, at Oneco, Stephenson County, Illinois, to Matilda S. Young of Oneco. In 1856 he was the first representative in the State Legislature from Chickasaw County and served for one term. Mr. Gillett was favorable to a change of the Chickasaw County seat to New Hampton. Through his efforts a legislative committee was appointed to locate the county seat, and by Chapter two hundred and thirty-six, of the Laws of the Sixth General Assembly it was provided, "That D. B. Wallen, of Bremer county, H. B. Hoyt and C. A. Newcomb, of Fayette county, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to relocate the Seat of Justice of Chickasaw County, on the first Monday of March, 1857, or within two months thereafter, as a majority of them may agree in the pursuance of their duties under the provisions of this act." He died at age 76, March 25, 1907, at Roswell, New Mexico territory. He is buried at South Park Cemetery Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico.