He promoted development of Tampa and sought to bring rail service to the area.

He was the second lawyer admitted to the bar in Tampa, on October 24, 1848, and tutored other law students, including John A. Henderson and Henry L.

[2] Though he held no slaves, Gettis was a pro-slavery secessionist, and was one of two delegates form Hillsborough County to vote for secession when the Convention met in January 1861.

[4] Gettis was singled out for his bravery by captain John William Pearson during the Battle of Tampa.

[5] He received a medical discharge and returned to Tampa due to ill health, inflicted with "incipient phthisis and chronic diarrhea".