Dr. Leland G. Hewitt
For a quarter of a century Dr. Leland G. Hewitt has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Northwood. He holds to the highest professional standards, is most conscientious in the performance of his duties and has gained a place among the leading practitioners of the northwest.
He was born in Bancroft, Freeborn county, Minnesota, December 7, 1866, his parents being Milton E. and Esther (Walton) Hewitt. The father was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and the mother's birth occurred in Erie county, Pennsylvania. Milton E. Hewitt followed the carpenter's trade in early life, becoming a contractor, while his father was a school teacher. The family removed westward from Cattaraugus county, New York, to Columbus, Pennsylvania, and there Milton E. Hewitt operated a raft on the Ohio river. It was while at that place that the grandfather passed away. While residing in Pennsylvania, Milton E. Hewitt was married and with his family removed to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he again took up carpentering and contracting. At a later period he bought a farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres of good land. This he brought under a high state of cultivation, carefully operating it throughout his remaining days. His mother also bought a farm of eighty acres and Charles M. Hewitt purchased another tract of similar size. The death of Milton E. Hewitt occurred February 24, 1916, while his wife had passed away in July, 1896. The mother was a consistent and devoted member of the Presbyterian church. The father was a stalwart republican in politics and was known as a man whose word could be depended upon at all times, and his example was one well worthy of emulation.
Dr. Hewitt spent his boyhood days upon the home farm at Bancroft and supplemented his early education, acquired in the district schools, by study in the high school at Albert Lea, Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. He then became connected with mercantile interests, working for four years in his uncle's store. He afterward taught school for a time but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to become a physician and surgeon, and with that end in view he matriculated in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He further continued his studies in the University of Minnesota and ere his college days were completed he resumed the profession of teaching in order to earn the money which would enable him to continue his college work. In 1891 he became a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago and completed his course there in 1892. On the 20th of July of that year he opened an office in Northwood, where he has since practiced, covering a quarter of a century. He has kept in close touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation and is a physician and surgeon of marked ability who utilizes the most progressive methods in the care of the sick. He is most careful in diagnosis and his opinions are seldom, if ever, at fault concerning the outcome of disease. In addition to his other interests Dr. Hewitt is one of the stockholders of the First National Bank of Northwood. He largely concentrates his efforts and attention upon his private practice but is also surgeon for the Rock Island Railroad Company. He has been honored with the presidency of the Worth County Medical Society and is -\ member of the Iowa State Medical Society, the Society of American Railway Surgeons and is also chairman of the Medical Defense.
On the 5th of October, 1893, Dr. Hewitt was united in marriage to Miss Frances Hazelton, a daughter of William and Martha (Brigham) Hazelton and a native of Albert Lea, Minnesota. Her father was born in Massachusetts and her mother in Vermont and they were married in Columbus, Wisconsin, where Mr. Hazelton engaged in merchandising. Later he removed westward to Minnesota and became a merchant of Albert Lea but spent his last days in North -wood, Iowa, where he passed away in 1913. His widow survived for about two years and died in 1915. To Dr. and Mrs. Hewitt have been born three children: Leland H., who is at West Point with the rank of second lieutenant; Martha, who died in infancy; and Kent W.In his fraternal relations Dr. Hewitt is connected with the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His activities touch the general interests of society, and his aid and support are always given on the side of progress and improvement.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 55 & 56
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, September 1, 2006