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James Gillett

22nd Governor, Republican
(1907-1911)

- Portait of Governor
- Short Biography
- Administration
- Personal information
- This Time in California

 

Biography*
James Gillett was born in Wisconsin in 1860. He studied to be a lawyer and established a successful practice in Eureka, California. Gillett won the Republican party's nomination for Governor over incumbent George Pardee, whose refusal to side with the railroad monopoly in his political decisions had soured the party against him. During his term as Governor automobiles were becoming more and more common in California, and Gillett pioneered the state highway system. He also worked to develop parole guidelines that would help prisoners reform themselves and return as productive members of society. Like many other governors, Gillett suffered financially while in office, and therefore felt compelled to return to private practice after only one term. It is thought that his wife Isabella, a socialite originally from San Francisco, was influential in this decision.

Administration under Governor James Gillett

- Inaugural Address - January 9, 1907

The Life of Governor James Gillett

Born
September 20, 1860
Viroqua, Wisconsin

Died
April 20, 1937
Oakland, California

This Time in California, The Nation, The World
1907 1908 1909 1910 1911
Calif Owens Valley Aqueduct construction begins

 

First motion picture in Los Angeles made

Glenn Martin starts manufacturing aircraft

 

Direct primary adopted

 

State population - 2,377,549.

First community (junior) college opens

Los Angeles Times bombing

 

State adopts use of initiative, referendum, and recall petitions

First studio in Hollywood opens

 

U.S.A "Gentlemen's Agreement" limits migration from Japan

 

  U.S. President William H. Taft (1909-1913)

 

  Women in California gain right to vote

 

World       Halley's comet observed

 

 

* All Biographies excerpted fromThe Governors of California and their Portraits (see credits)
Governors of California is a service from the California State Library to the People of California