Macoupin County
ILGenWeb

Biography - GEORGE B. ARNETT

In 1910 George B. Arnett started in the real estate and insurance business in Carlinville. The fact that he is still conducting the business does not begin to tell the interesting story of Mr. Arnett's career. He was born in Bird township, west of Carlinville. February 16, 1868, and is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George W. Arnett, well known and highly esteemed residents of this community. The son secured his preliminary education at West Fairview school northwest of this city. He was ambitious and desired to widen his scope of knowledge. He attended Blackburn College and entered the Northern Indiana Normal school located at Valparaiso. At the end of two years he finished the course, specializing in educational methods and business.

Returning home he taught school for several years, most successfully. Retiring from teaching he was offered and accepted a position with D. M. Osborn & Company, manufacturers of binders and farm implements. He remained with this company for five years. Having received a lucrative offer from the Smith-Premier Typewriter Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, he accepted. His headquarters were at Louisville, Kentucky. He greatly increased the company's business and in time was made district manager covering a large territory.

During those busy years Mr. Arnett cherished the idea of going into business for himself. This ambition he satisfied by purchasing a hardware store in Greenfield. He continued there for several years and came to his home city of Carlinville, establishing himself in the real estate and insurance business. He was the sole proprietor until 1917 when he took into partnership his son, George C. Arnett. This was during the latter years of the World War. Heeding the call to arms the son enlisted in the army in Chicago in December of 1917. He went overseas, serving for fifteen months. Following the Armistice in 1918, he returned home and again took up his business career. Since 1917 the firm is known as Geo. B. Arnett & Son, with the father the active manager. They have their offices in the two story brick building on East Main street, which is owned by George B. Arnett and is known as the Arnett Building.

Their business has been successful and they enjoy the confidence of a large clientele.


Extracted 15 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from History of a Famous Courthouse, by W. B. Brown, published in 1934, page 49.


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