John Weaver Hewitt

HEWITT, GATES, CLARK, HOLMES

Posted By: James H. "Jim" Wolfe (email)
Date: 12/11/2002 at 12:41:27

The Livermore Gazette August 17, 1894

DEATH OF JOHN W.HEWITT

On last Saturday morning, August 4, 1894, at 6 o'clock, occurred the death of John W. Hewitt, at his home in this city. The cause of his death was heart trouble, and his age was 74 years, 9 months, 6 days. John W. Hewitt was born in Saratoga County, New York.
He removed with his wife to Wisconsin in 1855, and came to Humboldt County in 1856, purchasing his first piece of land here, 40 acres near St. Joe, which is now a portion of the Ingert farm. Later he purchased the farm just north of the cemetery, now owned by Elmer Hewitt, and moved on with his family, and farmed many years. It was at this house on his farm that he served as postmaster,
before there was any town here, in the days when stamped envelopes were unknown. This was known as Lotts Creek Post Office. In 1863, he was in the state service under Captain Ingham, about the time of the New Ulm Massacre, and for a year assisted in the protection of the frontier between Jackson, Minnesota, and Estherville, Iowa. He was the father of ten children, all of whom are living,
and all being here for the funeral, with the exception of James, who is in Colorado. Their names are as follows: Amos S., Richard M., Emma G. (Mrs. E. E. Clark), Charles N., James E., Loren A., Cyrilla F. (Mrs. Selmer Holmes), Elmer J., Ella C., and Hiram I. Mr.Hewitt was a man who experienced all the usual hardships of early pioneer life, was a good husband and a good provider for his family, teaching his children economy and industry, lessons which they have not forgotten, as their broad acres on every hand
testifies. He was straight and upright in his dealings with fellow men, a good neighbor and a good citizen, while his health permitted him to mingle with them and bear his share of responsibility of the community in which he lived. He retired from farming some time ago and conducted a grocery store in the same building he resided in, and where he died. The funeral occurred at the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Waite preaching the sermon, which we have heard, was very highly spoken of, many times since, and admirablyvadapted to the occasion. The house was filled with many relatives and friends, so many being seldom seen at such an occasion of this kind here. The remains were followed to the last resting place by nearly 50 teams. The kind regards and sympathy of all are extended to the bereaved wife and other relatives.