Rev. Daniel Jewett

JEWETT, DETWILER, KIMBALL, KEABLES, WATTS, SUMMER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/1/2001 at 09:30:04

REV. DANIEL JEWETT

(The following biographical sketch was prepared for publication in this paper by the Bonaparte Centennial Committee.)

Daniel Jewett was born in the year 1800. He was a Green Mountain boy, having been born in Vermont among the mountains of that name. He grew to manhood there and was married to Priscilla Kimball of New Hampshire. They came to Iowa in the early thirties, locating on a half section of land, part of which is now known as the Grant Burnett farm. Later he moved to Farmington, then to Bonaparte where he engaged in the mercantile business. In this he was not very successful he believing everybody was honest like himself, but realized his mistake too late. Later, Mr. Jewett moved to Pella to take advantage of the schooling facilities there.

Mr. Jewett early in life studied for the ministry and was ordained as a Baptist. In these days it means something to be a pioneer preacher as there was little or no compensation, compelling him to labor six days of the week for the support of his family, leaving the seventh for the Lord's work.

Mr. Jewett was one of the organizers of the Mt. Zion Baptist church which was first located on the farm of Brown Moore. Later the church divided, most of the country members going to Harrisburg when the church was built. Those of Bonaparte and vicinity located in Bonaparte and built the old Baptist church which was a very substantial brick building and stood until 1903 when it was torn down to make way for the present structure. Mr. Jewett was among the early pastors of the church.

While living in Farmington, he organized the first Baptist Sunday School there, being its first superintendent.

Mr. and Mrs. Jewett were blessed with four children, Mary, Frank, Nellie and Cynthia. Mary was married to Elisha Keables of Pella, Frank to Hattie Detwiler of Bonaparte, Nellie to Robert R. Watts of Bonaparte, Cynthia to Wm. Summer of Eddyville. None of these are now living.

One thing for which these pioneers should be commended is the fact that in the settling of this new country they saw the necessity of organizing churches and schools and did what they could in that respect.

-- Written by F. J. Watts, a grandson

Source: Van Buren Record, July 8, 1937

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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.