PREWITT, Anthony T. - 1890 Bio (1810-1864)

PREWITT, LATIMER, STUCKEY, REYNOLDS, RUTLEDGE, MILLER

Posted By: nancy dorwart
Date: 3/3/2004 at 19:59:18

"Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa." Published by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, 1890
Pages 218-219

Anthony T. PREWITT, deceased, was a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred on the 25th of October, 1810. While growing to manhood he learned the tanner's trade and worked thereat until he came West. Prior to leaving his native State he was united in marriage with Sophrona J. LATIMER, and, accompanied by his young bride, emigrated to Lee County, Iowa, in a very early day. About 1843 they removed to Van Buren County, where Mrs. PREWITT died November 9, 1845, leaving four children to mourn her loss, namely: Goldson, who is engaged in carpentering; Sarah J., wife of James STUCKEY; and Ann M., wife of C. C. REYNOLDS.

On the 14th of October, 1846, Mr. PREWITT was again married, his second union being with Nancy C., daughter of James and Mary A. (MILLER) RUTLEDGE, both of whom were of Southern birth, the former born May 11, 1781, and the latter October 21, 1787. The place of their nativity is not certainly known, but they lived in South Carolina and Georgia, prior to emigrating to Pike County, Ill. About 1824 they removed to Sangamon, now Menard County, Ill., where Mr. RUTLEDGE built and operated a mill for some time. He afterward kept a tavern in New Salem and subsequently settled on a farm, where he died December 3, 1835. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were intelligent and industrious citizens, well respected by all. Their family numbered nine children, as follows: Jane O., John M., Anna Mayes, David H., Robert B., Nancy C., Margaret A., William B. and Sarah F. The third child, known in history as Ann RUTLEDGE, was the lady to whom President Lincoln was engaged, and whose death, at the age of twenty-three, spread such a gloom over the young lawyer's life. In 1838 Mrs. RUTLEDGE, with six of her children, moved to Van Buren County, Iowa, locating near the Jefferson County line. She died in Birmingham, that county, December 26, 1878, being over ninety-one years of age at the time of her death.

Mrs. PREWITT was born in White County, Ill., on the 10th of February, 1821, and, with her family, settled in Van Buren County, as above stated. After her marriage she lived on the farm in that county, making it her home until 1880, when she became a resident of Fairfield, which is still her home.

The death of Mr. PREWITT occurred on the 9th of February, 1864, and was the cause of deep regret throughout the entire community. He was a man that looked with wistful eyes to the moral advancement of the community and in every way possible aided in the triumph of right over wrong. He served as an Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and made his religion a part of his life. Politically, he was a Republican, but he loved the quiet of his home more than the excitement of a public career, and in consequence never sought political distinction. He was not of a grasping disposition, but always strove to make his family comfortable, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The rearing and educating of the children fell largely upon Mrs. PREWITT, who tenderly and carefully performed the duty thus left to her. The record of her children, four in number, is as follows; Daivd, the eldest, died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving a wife and two children: Mary E. died in infancy; Anthony M. is a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, now engaged in pastoral work in California; and William S., and expert stenographer, is court reporter for the district. Mrs. PREWITT and her youngest son are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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Admin. note: Nancy had an extremely abbreviated version of this Biography to post, and having the complete source at hand, I filled in the transcription. 9/2011