DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to give it its due. Now, some men live one life. James S.
Gillett lived about five of them, and the marker up in Lampasas County lays it all out plain as daylight. He was born in Kentucky in 1810, and he carried that frontier restlessness with him straight into Texas history. By the time the Mexican War came around — 1846 to 1849 — Gillett had climbed all the way to the rank of Major.
That's not a man who sat on the sidelines. Come 1849, the people of Texas sent him to the 3rd Texas Legislature, where he served through 1850. And if you think that was enough for one man to manage, well — Governor P.
H. Bell had other ideas. He appointed Gillett Adjutant General of Texas, a post he held from November 24, 1851, all the way to February 4, 1856.
That's not a ceremonial title. That's the man responsible for the military affairs of a young and restless state. But the story doesn't slow down there.
In 1859 and 1860, Gillett was back riding with the Texas Rangers. And when the Civil War came — 1861 to 1865 — he served under the Confederacy. Lawyer.
Frontier fighter. Major. Legislator.
Adjutant General. Ranger. Twice.
He married Elizabeth Harper, and together they raised children — one of whom, James B. Gillett, became a famed Texas Ranger in his own right. Turns out some things do run in the family.
James S. Gillett died in 1874, and the marker in Lampasas County makes sure he's not forgotten. A life lived hard and full, from Kentucky to the frontier, right up to the end.
What the marker says
(1810-1874) Lawyer and frontier fighter. Born in Kentucky. Attained rank of Major in Mexican War, 1846-49. He was elected to the 3rd Texas Legislature, serving 1849-50. Appointed by Gov. P. H. Bell, he was Adjutant General of Texas, Nov. 24, 1851, to Feb. 4, 1856. He was again in the Texas Rangers in 1859-60 and served under Confederacy in Civil War, 1861-65. He married Elizabeth Harper. One of their children was famed Texas Ranger James B. Gillett.