BIOGRAPHY: Willett, George R. From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* Honorable GEORGE R. WILLETT, of Decorah, was born in Lacadia, Province of Quebec, November 11, 1826. His parents were both Americans, though living in Canada at the time of his birth. He resided in Canada until twenty-six years of age, receiving his education under the Rev. Joseph Braithwaite, a graduate of Oxford, England, and following manufacturing with his father and brother at Chambley, Province Quebec. In 1855 he commenced the study of law at Champlain, New York, and after further reading and attending the Law School at Albany, was admitted to the bar in that city in the winter of 1856-7. Returning to Champlain, he practiced till the Fall of 1857, when he came West and settled at Decorah. Immediately on settling here he commenced the practice of his profession, which he has continued ever since, with the exception of a short time spent in the army during the Rebellion. The first company in this section, namely, Company C. Third Iowa Infantry, was raised mainly by his instrumentality. In the Fall of 1861 he was disabled by a gunshot in the knee, and consequently resigned and came home. In 1864 he was elected County Judge of Winnesheik County, and held the office four years, till the expiration of 1868. In 1872 he was elected to the State Legislature, for two full years, to fill the unfinished term of Dr. Bullis, and re-elected in 1875 for the full term of four years. During the Winter of 1874 he was elected President, pro tem., of the Senate. He was Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, and member of the Committee on the Judiciary, Railroads, Insurance and Judicial Districts. In local as well as general interests, Judge Willett has always been active and public spirited. From 1868 to 1872, he was President of the Winnesheik Woolen Manufacturing Company. He was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Olinda C. Kellogg, in Champlain, New York.