Hewlett, William Family

HEWLETT, BINNING, ANSTY, OTTO, ROSS, BRONSON, PAYTON

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2019 at 17:51:04

The William Hewlett Family
"Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881-1981"
Page 233, Clarke Pub. Co. Osceola IA. 1981.

William Hewlett was born at Auburn, New York, in 1829. He was married to Mary Ann Binning, Sept. 22, 1849. She was born Oct. 12, 1829, at Wedmore, Somersetshire, England.

They moved to Dyersville, IA, in 1852. Their five children were Sara and John, born in New York; Richard F., Tamara, and Mary Ann, born in Dyersville, IA. William Hewlett died here. His widow married her second husband, William (Farmer) Ansty, Sept. 11, 1863. Three children were born to this Union: Fred L., William E. and Minnie Mae.

The Ansty family moved to Decatur County to a farm southwest of Grand River in 1876.

Richard F. Hewlett was married to Mary Otto. Two children were born to them: Albert and Eva. Mary passed away and Richard later married Dora Ross. They were the parents of four children: Arthur, Ethel, Homer and Floyd. At this writing Ethel is still iving and resides in Buena Vista County.

Albert and Birdie Bronson were married March 18, 1901. Birdie was born on a farm near Elk Chapel, Grand River Township. They chose life on a farm; and after renting for three years, they purchased and moved to a farm southwest of Grand River, in Ansty school district. The name later changed to Elk Union #4 school. They resided here the rest of their lives. Albert died October 1, 1952, and Birdie died Feb. 8, 1956. Their farm, the Ansty farm, is owned by....

Three sons were born to Albert and Birdie: Clifford, Lawrence and Lee. Clifford and Lawrence are deceased.

Lee was born June 3, 1906. He attended rural school at Ansty and was a graduate of Grand River High School. He attended summer school and taught school for the next five years.

In 1929, he purchased what was known as the Swegle farm, adjoining his parents farm. Lee and Cleo Payton (b. July 6, 1910) were married April 26, 1930, and moved to this farm where they have lived since. During the ensuing years, they have purchased several other farms, all in Grand River Township except for 20 acres which are in Richland Township.

Lee and Cleo are the parents of four children:

Names of Children and Grandchildren

Lee was elected one of the school directors of Elk Union in 1931, and served until Jan. 1, 1953. He was on the County Board of Education for several years, also A.A.A. Committee Man of Grand River Township.

He ran for County Supervisor in 1952, was elected, and took office Jan. 1, 1953. He served in this capacity for the next 24 years. Cleo was one of the school directors from 1953, until Elk Union became a part of the Grand Valley district in 1960.

NOTE: Lee died in 1994. Cleo died in 1991. They were interred at the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa.