Luther Pannett, son of William and Mary Catherine (Chapman) Pannett, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, February 23, 1876. He was educated in the public schools, his course including high school training. When his education completed he worked on his father's farm. At the young age of twenty-two he was appointed by the court of Frederick County, Virginia, to the position of Magistrate, an office that he held for twelve years.

He was elected at a special election held in 1912, for a term of four years as Sheriff. Mr. Pannett's appointment to the magistracy of Frederick County at his youthful age was an expression of confidence in his judgment and ability that his long and uniformly successful continuance in the office fully vindicated. Mr. Pannett's political principles were in accord with those of the Democratic party, with which he had ever been identified. He was a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 21, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Winchester, Virginia. Mr. Pannett died on December 21, 1932.