Jacklin Willett

Jacklin Willett was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 13, 1838, son of George and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Willett. His father was born in Virginia, May 10, 1809, of English ancestors, and his death occurred June 3, 1879, at the age of seventy years; and his mother was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, her father being of an old Virginia family, and her mother a Pennsylvanian. Mr. Willett was the third of a family of nine children. He received his education in Illinois, learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at it two years before coming to California, in 1859. He crossed the plains and went to the mines at Virginia City, and from there to Plumas County, where he continued to mine and where he met with financial losses. He then went to Santa Clara County and worked at his trade, and afterward engaged in farming. In 1863 he returned to Illinois and engaged in the general merchandise business at Jeffersonville, and also carried on a milling business at the same time, remaining there until 1873. At that time he returned to California and purchased fifty acres of land at Ventura, where he has since resided. It is a very sightly place, on Ventura avenue, and here Mr. Willett is engaged in raising fruit, grain and beans, the latter product being now more profitable than grain. 

    Mr. Willett was united in marriage, in 1864, to Miss Mary Holzhausen, a native of Ohio, born in 1843. She is a daughter of Henry Holzhausen, who came to this country from Germany when fifteen years of age. They have three children: Augusta, born in Illinois, now the wife of W. Reynolds, of Ventura County; George, born in Ventura, and Muktar, also born in Ventura. Mrs. Willett is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Willett is a Granger; was formerly a Republican, but is now an independent. In company with Mr. Chilson and others, Mr. Willett built the Ventura Flouring-mill. During the years 1879 to 1887 Mr. Willett was engaged in mining in Arizona, New Mexico and old Mexico.

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