Anthony T. Prewitt

PREWITT, STUCKEY, REYNOLDS, MILLER, RUTLEDGE

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/3/2001 at 21:03:41

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
ANTHONY T. PREWITT
Anthony T. Prewitt, deceased, was a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred on October 25, 1810. While growing to manhood he learned the tanner 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, immigrated 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 carpenter trade; James D., a farmer by occupation; Sarah J. wife of James Stuckey; and Ann M., wife of C.C. Reynolds.
On October 14, 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 immigrating to Pike County Illinois. About 1824 they removed to Sangamon, now Mennard County Illinois, 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, removed 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 Illinois on February 10, 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 February 9, 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 everyway 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: David, 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. an expert stenographer, is court reporter for the district. Mrs. Prewitt and her youngest son are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
I am not a related and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.