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         WILLIAM J. HEWITT, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, and a leading farmer of Morning Sun Township, now residing on section 29, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 13, 1820, and is a son of Jonathan and Jane (Brown) Hewitt, who were natives of Ireland. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1818, first locating in Butler County, Ohio, and subsequently removing to Preble County. They were the parents of nine children: Hamilton, who died in Louisa County, was the husband of Priscilla Steel, who lives in Morning Sun, and to them were born four children: Margaret A., widow of Andrew Hamilton, is living in Louisa county; William J., of this sketch; Robert, who became the husband of Margaret A. Morrison, resides in Morning Sun; Thomas, of Preble county, Ohio; Irvin, who lives in Rice County, Kan., is the husband of Elizabeth Wilkins; Susan was the wife of Joshua Skinner, who died during service in the late Rebellion; she lives in Morning Sun, Iowa. James, the husband of Martha Swan, is living in Polk County, Neb.; and Mary J., the wife of Christopher Grewell, lives in Hunt County, Texas. In 1840 Mr. Hewitt came with his family to the West, locating in Keokuk, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1841. He was, politically, an old-line Democrat, and a man highly respected by all. In 1844 his widow came to Van Buren County, Iowa, where she died in 1846. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church.

Our subject grew to manhood in Preble County, Ohio, and there his education was received, though as soon as he had attained sufficient age and strength he was obliged to aid in the labor of the farm. During the winter months he attended a log schoolhouse, with puncheon floor, slab seats, the writing desk against the wall, greased paper windows and an old-fashioned fireplace, and had to walk three miles for such poor advantages as could there be obtained. In 1843 he came to Louisa County, where he has since resided. He had previously learned the carpenter’s trade, which he here followed for a few years, putting up almost all of the first buildings in Morning Sun Township, and also many others in the county, including the Presbyterian Church, the Covenanter Church, and also constructing the woodwork of the United Presbyterian Church.

On the 6th of February, 1845, Mr. Hewitt wedded Miss Nancy Stewart, and one child was born of their union, Josiah, who died Feb. 13, 1865, at the age of fourteen years. The death of the mother occurred Oct. 4, 1852, and Mr. Hewitt was again married, Sept. 28, 1854, becoming the husband of Miss Amy A. Bergen, a daughter of George and Deborah (Ryker) Bergen, who were natives of Kentucky. At an early day they emigrated to Jackson County, Ind., later became residents of Jefferson County, that State, where they resided until 1840, when they removed to Iowa, spending the first winter at West Point, after which they went to Kossuth, where Mr. Bergen improved a farm. He was one of the first settlers on the prairie, and his home was known as the “white house on the prairie.” He served in the War of 1812 for a year, and he and his wife were the parents of eight children, four now living: Christopher C., a resident of Kossuth, Iowa; Samuel, who is living in Pineville, Mo.; Margaret J., wife of Alah Rice, of Franklin, Neb.; and Amy A., wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Bergen were members of the Presbyterian Church, while in political sentiment he was a Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay.

After their marriage Mr. Hewitt and his young wife began their domestic life upon a farm in Morning Sun Township, situated on Honey Creek, where they commenced to make for themselves a home, living in the true pioneer style. At that time Indians were scattered all over the county, wild game of all kinds was plentiful, the settlements were few and far between, and the mill at which they had their grain ground was a great distance off. At that time money was very scarce in the county, and Mr. Hewitt was obliged to sell his pork at $1.50 per hundred, and half of that was to be taken out in trade, but with a determination to suc- . . .

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. . . ceed, combined with that energy which characterizes all his actions, he overcame all obstacles, and now has a comfortable property, owning 390 acres of fine farming land in Morning Sun Township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have been born eight children, six sons and two daughters: Cyrus F., who is living in Elbert County, Col.; Mary; George I., who is at home; Alah H. living in Colorado; William Thomas, Charles E., John T. and Nina D. Mr. Hewitt is one of the Prohibitionists of Iowa, and he and his wife are among the early settlers of the county. They are also among the first Presbyterians, and are people who rank high in the community.