1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

James M. Hewett, a prominent and well known farmer of Grant township, Crawford county, took up the claim which he has developed into his present beautiful and productive farm, over thirty years ago, so that he is one of the pioneer agriculturists of the county. He has been very successful in his efforts, has taken a creditable interest in public matters of township and county, and in all the relations of church, state and private life has commended himself by his integrity and intelligence to his fellow citizens.

Mr. Hewett was born in the state of Pennsylvania, February 12, 1841. His parents were Collins A. and Martha (Moore) Hewett, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was a minister of the Baptist denomination, and when he moved to Crawford county, Kansas, in 1871, he assisted in the building of the first Baptist church in Girard. He preached in this town and also in Cherokee and Lightning Creek church. His death occurred in 1876, followed in the next year by that of his wife.

Mr. J. M. Hewett received his education in the common schools of Illinois, in which state he grew to manhood. He lived at home until 1870, and in that year came to Kansas and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township of Crawford county. His diligent efforts have effected a great transformation in the appearance and general productivity of this place since that pioneer time in the history of the county, and he has also added other land to his farm, so that his well improved place of three hundred and twenty acres is a model of its kind and comparable with any farmstead in the vicinity.

Mr. Hewett was married March 22, 1870, to Miss Jennie Browne, a daughter of Alexander and Catherine M. Browne, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. nd[sic] Mrs. Hewett have four children: Collins A. is a carpenter of Chanute, Kansas; Katie M. is the wife of J. M. Carlisle, of Granite, Montana; Miss Jue makes her home with her sister in Montana; and Sheldon B. has recently graduated from a medical college in Kansas City. The family are members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Hewett affiliates with Lodge No. 215, A. H. T. A. He is an independent Republican in politics, and was for a number of years a school director in his district.