"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 241. Baker County. GEORGE W. JETT One of the leading business men of the county, prominent in public life and active in business operations, the subject of this sketch holds distinguished position among those who have wrought faithfully and well for the upbuilding and material progress and welfare of the county and its interests, while in all of his interesting career he has manifested a devotion to business and sound principles that place him as one of the most substantial citizens of the entire county. 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. For 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 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.