Biography of George W. Jett, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames listed: Jett, Miller, Sheppard, Levens.

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Transcribed by: W. David Samuelsen
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 
1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. 

page 241 

GEORGE W. JETT

The birth of Mr. Jett occurred in Grundy county, Missouri, in May 31, 1854, 
being the son of William E. and Elizabeth (Miller) Jett, natives respectively 
of Virginia and Kentucky. In his native state, our subject passed his boyhood 
days and there received his educational training in the Ellis academy at 
Chillicothe. In 1871 he turned toward the west, landing first at Kelton, Utah. 
From that point the stage fare to Baker City was seventy-five dollars, and he 
and his brother, John H., walked the entire distance, believing that they could
make good wages thereby. Fir the first year after arriving here, he was engaged
in mining at the old Virtue mine, then he entered the grocery business in 1881 
and for one decade prosecuted it with very gratifying success. In 1891 he sold
this business and moved to McEwen, then the terminus of the Sumpter Valley 
railroad, and opened a general merchandise establishment, also taking charge of
the railroad office and in this capacity he continued for four years. Later he
removed to Sumpter on his homestead and a part of the time acted as agent for 
the railroad and also as deputy county assessor for a number of years, until he
proved up on the homestead. In the spring of 1900 he was elected on the 
Democratic ticket to fill the office of county assessor, and assiduously and 
faithfully laboring in the fulfillment of the duties devolving on him in this 
capacity we find him at the present time. He has acted as school clerk for many
years and was in that office when the first brick structure for school purposes
was erected and he was forced to give at that time a bond for sixty thousand 
dollars. He has ever manifested a very commendable interest in school and 
political affairs and whatever was for the benefit of the county. 

The marriage of Mr. Jett and Mrs. Rhoda E. Sheppard, daughter of W. F., and 
Miranda Levens, was solemnized in May, 1882, and to them have been born two 
children; Lula May, assistant county assessor; George L. Mrs. Jett was the 
widow of Harry C. Sheppard, by whom she had one child, Harry C. Sheppard. Mr. 
Jett is a member of Gauntlet Lodge, No. 8, K. of P., in Baker City. He has 
acted as grand chancellor of the state and attended the supreme lodge at 
Washington, D.C., in 1894 and Cleveland, Ohio, in 1896 as supreme 
representative. He has been instrumental in organizing many lodges and 
initiating many candidates. He also affiliates with the A.O.U.W. and is past 
master of that order. The career of Mr. Jett has been fraught with enterprise 
and achievement in the industrial and business world and in public capacity, 
and throughout he has manifested unswerving integrity and excellent ability.
--End--