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Harvey Gillitt was born in New York in 1830. Attended school until fourteen years of age, then accompanied his
parents to Adrian, Michigan. Soon after the father died, and for one year Harvey worked the farm on shares. He
afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, following it three years. In 1849, went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; thence
to La Crescent, Minnesota, in 1851, making him one of the earliest settlers. He made a claim and lived in a shanty
two years, then built a log house. In 1855, laid out a town and soon succeeded in seeing there about three hundred
settlers. During the summer of that year sold his interests to what was known as the Kentucky Company, then went
to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and, with his brother, purchased the steamer "Adelia," which they ran between
St. Paul and St. Louis. In 1856, bought Henry G. Baill's addition to Hastings for $14,500, and soon after sold
for $32,480. Two years later traded the steamer for Hastings property. In 1870, bought out D. W. Truax, and opened
a general merchandise store, in which business he is still engaged. A stock company, called the Hastings Publishing
Company, was formed in 1875, being incorporated under the state laws for the general printing business, and a paper
was started called the New Era, with Mr. Gillett as manager. The following year he purchased the entire stock,
and in April, 1880, sold a one half interest to U. M. Thomas. Married in 1857 to Georgia E. Shubert, of Philadelphia.
Ella E., Clara A., George H., William H., Ernest L. and Fred C. are their children.
From:
The History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings.
By J. Fletcher Williams.
North Star Publishing Company.
Minneapolis. 1881.
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