Esther Estella (Dean) Arnett (1865 - 1949)

Born 12 Feb 1865 in Cerro Gordo, Iowa, United States [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 2 Dec 1949 at age 84 in Fresno, California, United States

Biography

Stella is the daughter of William Dean (1824-?) and step-mother Hannah (unknown) of Spencer, IA.^[1] In 1885 she stated she was born in Cerro Gordo Co. while in 1895 her birth is listed as in Blackhawk Co.

She married George Puffer, who is 13 years her senior, about 1885 who was also living in Spencer. They have three children: Alice (1888), Cady (1889), and Julia (1891). There may have been an infant prior to 1888.

George dies seven months after Julia is born. The three young children are taken into the home of George's sister Julia and her husband George Olmstead. This must have become a "casual" adoption as no formal documents have been found though the children are listed as Olmstead in the 1900 and 1910 census as neice or nephew.

In 1900, Stella is employed as a laundry worker at the hotel of Francis and Mary Cady in Spencer; she is still in the same job in 1910. The census also list three daughters, Emma, Alta, and Olive Puffer. The names of the father(s) are unknown.

In 1920 Stella is now married to Thomas Arnett and they are living in the home of her daughter Alta (Mrs Floyd Dean). In 1925 Stella and Tom are living in Spencer. Eventually she/they move to Fresno, California where she dies.

Sources

• Olmste(a)d files of Walt Steesy.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219103704/esther-estella-arnett : accessed 01 October 2021), memorial page for Esther Estella Dean Arnett (12 Feb 1865–2 Dec 1949), Find a Grave Memorial ID 219103704, citing Fowler Cemetery, Fowler, Fresno County, California, USA ; Maintained by Genealogy Girls (contributor 46883085) .

1. ↑ 1880 census, Spencer, Clay Co., IA