MERRITT HEWITT
Merritt Hewitt came here in 1875, and purchased eighty acres of land, located on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 22, of Brighton township. It was then partially improved and is now in a high state of cultivation. He has a new and commodious residence, erected in 1882. It is pleasantly located and surrounded by a fine grove. Mr. Hewitt was born June 7, 1843, in Erie county, Ohio, and is a son of Collins H. and Abigail F. Hewitt. The former was born in Cayuga county, New York, and died in Iowa in 1854. The latter was a native of Columbus county, Ohio. She died in 1856. The subject of this sketch lived in Ohio till ten years of age, then removed with his parents to Iowa county, Iowa. He enlisted in that county in 1862, in company G, of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry. He was mustered into service at Iowa City, under command of E.P. Hendershot. He served until August 25, 1865, participating in the following battles: Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, Jackson, Sabine Crossroads, Winchester, Cedar Creek and others. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia. He returned to his home and was married November 15, 1868, to Elizabeth L. Coats, a native of New York, and daughter of D.W. and Sophronia F. Coats, of whom the former is dead and the latter is still living, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Hewitt. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have four children...May F., Edwin M., Ray C. and G.W. Mr. Hewitt is the present assessor of Brighton township, an office which he has filled four years. He has voted with the Democratic party since 1864. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Woringmen and Grand Army of the Republic.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 593-594.
