Robert H. Hews (1845-1915)

HEWS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 09:26:37

Robert H. Hews, M.D.
(July 7, 1845 – September 13, 1915)

The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success is worthily achieved and who has acquired high reputation in his chosen calling by merit. We pay the highest tributes to the heroes who, on bloody battlefields win victories and display a valor that is the admiration of the world. Why should the tribute be withheld from those who wage the bloodless battles of civil life, who are conquerors in the world of business? Greater than in almost any
line of work is the responsibility that rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are in his hands. A false prescription, an unskilled operation may take from man that which he prizes above all else — life. The physician's power must be his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the rudiments of medicine and surgery, and continually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain prominence it must come as a result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qualifications are possessed in an eminent degree by Dr. Hews, who for thirteen years has been a well-known practitioner of Rockwell City.
The Doctor was born in Trenton, New York, July 7, 1845, a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Jones) Hews. His paternal grandfather, John Hews, was born in Wales and became a contractor and builder. He made a specialty of state buildings and in that department of his work gained a reputation for superior skill that made him very widely known. In 1818 he crossed the briny deep to the new world, locating in Trenton, New York, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring when he had reached the age of forty-five, while his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Hews, long surviving him, reached the age of sixty-five years. Their son, Hugh Hews, the father of the Doctor, was born in Carnavanshire, Whales, in 1803, and when
fifteen years of age accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. He also became a contractor and builder and
was a good, thorough workman, who for a number of years was actively and prominently associated with the building interests of Trenton, New York. In his later years he followed general farming in that locality, but at length retired from active business cares and spent his declining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He married Elizabeth Jones, who was born in Trenton, New York, in 1806, and for many years they were numbered among the most respected citizens of that place. Mr. Hews capably filled a number of public offices and was a worker in the ranks of the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the new Republican party, continuing one of its stanch advocates until his death. He was also a consistent member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and served as one of its deacons for many years.
His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years and his wife at the age of sixty-one years. They
were the parents of four sons and three daughters, namely: John, Cornelius, Lewis, Robert, Jane, Lydia and Ellen. On the maternal side the ancestry can be traced back to one of the early families of New York. The great-grandfather was a
highly educated man and a minister of the Baptist church, who was widely known as "Preacher Jones." He devoted his entire life to the holy calling and his influence was of no restricted order. His son, Robert M. Jones, the grandfather of the Doctor, was born in Wales. His wife's name was Jane. He was extensively engaged in farming, owned large tracts of land and was the proprietor of a mill. Coming to America he made his home in the town of Renison, Oneida County, New York, where he died in 1873, at the age of ninety-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-five. In the town of his nativity Dr. Hews was reared to manhood and in the district schools obtained his early education, which was supplemented by an academic course. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine, reading under the direction of Dr. Gitteau, while later his preceptor was Dr. Price. Subsequently he matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated in the class of 1869, while in 1874 he was graduated in the University of Buffalo. Dr. Hews then began the practice of medicine in Western, Oneida County, New York, where he remained in practice for twenty years. He gained a liberal patronage, his practice gradually growing until it had assumed extensive proportions. He was a leading and influential citizen of the community and was called upon to fill a number of local offices, serving as town clerk for ten years, as supervisor for two terms and in minor positions. In 1889 he came to Rockwell City, where he has since made his home and he had not long been established here before he had gained a good business in the line of his profession. He was appointed pension examiner under President Cleveland and for the past ten years he has held the office of insane commissioner. He is the surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad and also the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company and is also medical examiner for several old line insurance companies.
Dr. Hews has been twice married. In 1872 he wedded Mary H. Stone, who was born in Western, Oneida County, New York, and died in 1873. In September, 1875, the Doctor was again married, his second union, being with Martha Lewis, who was born in Steuben County, New York, February 15, 1850, a daughter of William and Janette Lewis. Her father was a native of Utica, New York, and was accounted one of the prominent and leading men of his community. He was a progressive farmer and dairy man and kept on his place as many as seventy-five head of milch cows. He owned a cheese factory and manufactured cheese in connection with the operation of his farm. For many years he served as justice of the peace. In 1861 he was also a member of the New York assembly and was closely associated politically with Conkling and other distinguished statesmen of that period. He spent a very useful and active life in the town of Steulien, Oneida County, and left the impress of his individuality for good upon its agricultural interests and public affairs. He was a stanch Republican, never swerving in his allegiance to the party, and was equally loyal in his religious connection as a valued and consistent member of the Methodist church. He reached the advanced age of
eighty-five years, but his wife passed away at the age of sixty-one. Unto Dr. Hews and his wife have been born a son and daughter. The former, Dr. Lewis D. Hews, was born in Western, New York, October 14, 1876, and was a student in Epworth Seminar, of Iowa, in which he was graduated with the class of 1896. He was student in Cornell College, in the year 1895-7 and afterward took up the study of medicine in the University of Iowa, with the class of 1897-8. In 1901 he was graduated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, and is now engaged in practice with his father in Rockwell City. He is a member of Twin Lakes Lodge, F. & A. M. and belongs to the Fort Dodge District Medical Society. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. The daughter, Janette E., was born in Western, New York, January 26, 1880, and is with her parents. Dr. Hews, whose name introduces this record, is an independent Democrat in politics, but public office and public honors have had little attraction for him. He holds membership in Twin Lakes Lodge, F. & A. M., at Rockwell City, and is a member of the Methodist church. His time has been largely given to his professional duties and he has, through study and research, kept in
touch with the advanced thought of the day, trying earnestly to solve the problems connected with the restoration of health and
the prolongation of life, and that he has the public confidence in an unusual degree is indicated by the liberal patronage accorded him. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.377]