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MONONGALIA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
PJSTON@aol.com
December 6, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg 95
Lonna Dennis Arnett. A member of an honored pioneer family of Monongalia
County, Lonna Dennis Arnett had been identified with library work for more
than twelve years, and since 1910 has held the position of librarian of the
University of West Virginia at Morgantown. A man of wide experience in his
field of endeavor, he is likewise a close and careful student and thorough
investigator, and the benefit of his research and study is always at the
disposal of those who come into contact with Mr. Arnett in his courteous and
efficient discharge of the duties of his office.
Lonna D. Arnett was born near Arnettsville in Grant District, Monongalia
County, May 14, 1870, and belongs to a family which was established in this
county by James Arnett, a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, of English
parentage. Following the close of the American Revolution James Arnett came
to Monongalia County and settled on about 400 acres of land in Grant District
near where the present Village of Arnettsville is situated, and there passed
the rest of his life in the pursuits of agriculture. A part of his original
farm is still held by his descendants. Andrew Arnett, a son of James the
pioneer, was born in 1760, and died in 1820. He married Elizabeth Leggett.
Thomas Arnett, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth, was born on the farm in Grant
District August 9, 1816. He followed farming and also operated water-power
grist mills on Indian Creek for a time. He married Zarilda Price, a daughter
of William W. Price.
William C. Arnett, son of Thomas and Zarilda, was born at Arnettsville, March
30, 1840, and died on his farm January 15, 1916. Like his father, he
followed farming and to some extent operated mills on Indian Creek. In 1864
he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, a
regiment with which he served until the close of the war between the states.
He was a Methodist in religion and a republican in his political sentiment.
In 1868 he married Mary Thorn, daughter of Dennis Thorn, who with his father,
settled near Laurel Point, West Virginia, some time between 1820 and 1830.
Mrs. Arnett survives and continues to reside on the home farm.
Lonna Dennis Arnett, son of William C. and Mary, attended Fairmont (West
Virginia) Normal School, and was graduated from the University of West
Virginia with the degree of Bachelor of Science as a member of the class of
1898. Following this he attended Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts,
from which he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy as a member of the
graduating class of 1903, and for several years thereafter was engaged in
teaching school. In 1909 he took up library work in the Bureau of Education
Library at Washington, District of Columbia, and in the fall of 1910 became
librarian of the University of West Virginia, a position which he has since
retained. He is a member of the West Virginia State Library Association and
the American Library Association, and holds membership also in the Sigma Chi
Fraternity. In political allegiance he is a republican, and his religious
faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On August 18, 1903, Mr. Arnett was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Toy,
daughter of Powell B. and Marietta (Love) Reynolds, of Morgantown. Her
father, who received the degree of Doctor of Divinity and for many years held
a professorship at the University of West Virginia, is now deceased, but her
mother survives and is a resident of Morgantown.
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