Léon L. Gallet
Léon L. Gallet (1832-1899) was a Swiss-American businessman and heir to the Gallet & Co watchmaking firm.
Léon L. Gallet was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds on December 31, 1832. He was the son of Julien Gallet who founded his family's namesake watchmaking business there in 1826.
Julien Gallet brought his children into the business at an early age, and Léon showed much potential. When his father died in 1848, Léon took over management of the company. He continued as manager until his own retirement in 1883.
In 1864, Gallet's American agent, Mr. Kupfer, died and Léon L. Gallet came to the United States to establish a branch there. The company was named Julien Gallet after his father and took over Kupfer's business interests.
Among his six children, two sons of Léon L. Gallet, Julien and George, followed their father into the watchmaking business. After his retirement, Julien partnered with his cousin Jules Racine to take over the American operation while George remained in charge of the Swiss business. His youngest son, Louis Gallet, became a notable sculptor.
Léon L. Gallet was very involved in life and politics in Switzerland. He was a member of the Cantonal legislature as well as a member of the Council of La Chaux-de-Fonds. He was also president of the Fine Arts Society there and was Grand Master of the Freemasons.
After his retirement, Léon L. Gallet frequently traveled to America, visiting friends and business associates. He arrived for one such visit in the spring of 1899, staying at the Imperial Hotel in New York. During this trip he became ill and went to stay with his nephew (and business heir) Jules Racine on April 28. He was unable to recover and died of pneumonia on May 9.