The herald., 1895-06-10
THE CAREER OF GEN. HEWITT
AS announced in The Herald of Sunda

AS announced in The Herald of Sunday
morning. there passed away, peacefully
at 9:30 O'Clock on Saturday evening one
OF the most conspicuous figures ever
known in Los Angeles. when General
+. Il. Hewitt died at his residence. 400
South Hill street. 1t had been known for
several months past that his health was
falling and that for portion of the time
he was very sick man, and to many of
his friends the dread result was not
wholly unexpected. After severe ILL.,
ness in December and January last. par
alysis OF the brain being the chief trouble,
he rallied and frequently appeared on the
streets. About four weeks ago he went to
Santa Monica to try the sea beach atmos
phere, but failing so rapidly. was brought
uack. at that time not appearing to 1ec-
ognize any one and talked incoherently.
He soon became unconscious. in which
condition he remained until death inter
vened ana the struggle ceased.
Briefly, the life history runs: Eldrldge
Edwards Hewitt was born August Il.
ls2S. about sixty seven years ago, in the
town of Pultney, Steuben county, New
York, his father being a physician OF
high standing. In 1881 his parents moved
to Ohio, where the family resided until
ls45, when his father was appointed by
President Polk as agent for the Wyandotte
Indians. the tribe having been removed
to the Indian territory. A chance for an
education was exceedingly sim in those
days. but General Hewitt made the best
of it, and also clerked in an Indian trad
er's store until April. IS47, when at the
age of 10 he enlisted in the Twelfth
United States infantry for five years or
during the war with Mexico. In the
march on the City of Mexico. Mr.. Hewitt
participated in two battles OF magnitude,
those of Contreras and Cherupusco, Au
gust 10 and 20, 1S47.
He WAS appointed sergeant-major OF his
regi giment, a position he held to the close
OF the war, when lie was rendered the ap-
pointment of second lieutenant in the
First dragons, regular army, but having
heard OF the discovery OF gold in Califor
MIA he declined the commission and IN
company with two other young men
started for the new Ell Dorado, crossing
the plains with an OK team, arriving in
September. 1S49. From that year to 1868,
he engaged in mining and merchandise
ing with varying success IN Mariposa,
Merced and Stanislaus counties, except
ing an interval of journey to Oregon on
mining expedition which proved dis
astrous. In 1868 he came to Los Angeles,
arriving on July 3lst. After fruitless
trip to some mines in Arizona, involving
a walk of over five hundred miles over
deserts he ceased wandering after elusive
wealth and in October of that year he
engaged in the service of General Phineas
Banning at Wilmington, and OIL the
com pletion of the Los Angeles and San
fedro railroad he became its superin-
tendent. In 1873. when the road passed
into the hands OF the Southern Pacific
company. he became division superin-
tendent. which position he held until the
close of the year 1892.
1t was in the capacity of division su
perintendent, afteIward assistant super
intendent, with hundreds of railroad men
under his charge, in which the COM
munity came to know him best. Prompt
to act, energetic. pleasant. just to all,
either friend or foe OF the railroad, he
won a place in the hearts OF every one
and left an enduring impress in railroad
management extending over period OF
twenty-five years.
He was county treaurer from 1876 to
1873 and was county tax collector for 1898
and 1894 and was for a time general IN
a brigade of the National Guard of Cali.
tornia, and has filled many other posi-
tions OF honor and trust. His position
with the railroad required executive
ability of superior order, and In no
place was he ever found wanting in abili-
ty or integrity.
General Hewitt leaves wife and three
children, two daughters and son. his
immediate family, and a sister at Santa
Monica, Mrs. Jane A. Austin, and
family to mourn loss beyond repair.
ne also udu SeVeIdl COuSllS ucIo, H.
Hewitt and wife, Mrs. Byron Parsons,
Miss 9. f. dewitt of the postoffice and
Miss Sue NJ. Hewitt.
Charles Crocker the master mind OF the
railroad building department, said at the
driving of the last spike in the connect
ing link above Newhall In 1876. when the
Los Angeles train arrived loaded with
Superintendent Hewitt's guests: Mr..
Hewitt never fails to be on7-exact time
and never fails in executing an order.'
Mr.. Hewitt was a mem Der Of the
Masonic fraternity, a knight Templar.
and al ways maintained his mem bership
in Wilmington lodge, where he was first
made Mason.
Grand, upright, noble hearted Ned
Hewitt has passed away. Peace be to
his ashes,