JOHN HEWLETT

HEWLETT, BAKER, HARRIS, EVANS, MILLARD, ANSTEY

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 7/12/2002 at 20:36:21

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, November l6, l922

JOHN HEWLETT, son of WM. and MARY HEWLETT, was born June 25, l857, near Auborn, New York. His parents were from Somersetshire, England. He was the second in a family of nine children. While quite young, he came with his parents from New York State to Iowa, settling in Delaware County. When he had reached the age of l2, his father died, and from that time there evolved upon him as a young boy the management of the farm on which they lived.

It was on Sept. l6th, l873, that he was married to MISS ELIZABETH BAKER, and after they had spent a couple of years in Delaware County, they finally established their home on the farm in Decatur County, southeast of Grand River, where they lived without change until moving to town some eleven years ago.

In l877, Rev. Geo. Mitchell, the Methodist Pastor, held a meeting at the Anstey School House, and in this meeting, Brother HEWLETT gave his heart to Jesus Christ, uniting with the Methodist Church. In those days there was no Methodist Church in Grand River, Grand River as a town was yet in its beginning. The Methodist Church was a school house circuit surrounding the town. For several years Brother HEWLETT was Supt. of the Sunday School at the school house, and has ever been one of the staunchest supporters of the local church enterprises. He had an active part in the building of the Methodist Church, has served continuously since its erection on the Board of Trustees and has been one of its most dependable workers. His special interest has always been the upkeep of the church property, sparing neither pains nor gifts for this end.

Into Brother HEWLETT's home came three children: WILLIAM, ARTHUR E., and ANNA BELLE, the two youngest dying in infancy. After an illness very brief, but intensely severe, he passed into the presence of his Master, Sunday evening, Nov. 5th at the very moment when the congregation of the church he loved was singing the opening hymn of the evening service. To mourn his departure, beside his faithful companion of the years, there remain his son, WILLIAM, and his wife, and their son, GERALD. Also, the following brothers and sisters: MISS SARAH HEWLETT and MRS. ANNA HARRIS, of Lamoni; MRS. WALTER EVANS and MRS. FRANK MILLARD, of Grand River; WILL ANSTEY, of Torrington, Wyoming and FRED ANSTEY. Another brother, RICHARD, had preceded him in death. A great number of relatives beside an almost innumerable company of friends, must be added to these as those who also feel and grieve for his loss.

It is not, however, the family circle and the friends alone who will feel Brother HEWLETT's going. The community and the church will miss him. He expressed in his character the staunch and dependable quality which he derived from the English ancestry behind him. He lived his life as one who stood for the things of God. Day after day we knew where to find him not indeed faultless, but always on the Lord's side, always concerned that the church should move forward. Among the many interests of a busy life, he consistently put God's work first.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July ll, 2002