Jacob Arnett was born in Elstein, France, in 1815, and came with his
father to the United States in 1827. When coming West he stopped for a
short time in Joliet, Will county, Illinois, and came to Portland in
1836, making his claim on section 35. He became early noted for his
untiring industry and trading habits. He would dig ditches, put up
fences, or work at haying and harvesting as far as Como, and take
his pay in stock, or in anything he could afterwards barter, and in a
few years accumulated a good property. When the California excitement
broke out, it was an easy matter for him to fit out fine teams, and
go with the adventurers to the land of gold. He used his teams to
paying advantage while there, and when he was pretty well supplied
with the precious metal returned to his home in Portland.
He retired from farming some years ago, and moved to Geneseo,
Henry county, where he is extensively engaged in dealing in
agricultural implements. He married Miss Charlotte Summers in 1842,
their children being: Lewis C., who married Miss Sarah Rose, (Roos) and
lives in Portland; Samuel J., who married Miss Eliza Grozenburg, and lived in
Geneseo; Phillip S., who married Miss Eliza Wagner, and lives in
Portland; Mary, wife of Andrew Smith, living in Henry county;
Albert, who married Miss Cella Parker, and lives in Portland; Clara,
wife of Abram Rapp, living in Henry county; and Oletta, who lives in
Geneseo, Henry county.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 356
