New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
MIR. HEWITT'S CAREER.

Ab~am stevens Hewitt was born in Haver-
straw n V on July 81. 1922. He was the son
of John Hewitt and Ann GARNER His father
was d machinist. who came TO this country IN
the latter part of the eighteenth century. The
elder Hewitt helped build the first steam engine
works here; also the first engine built entirety
in this country He acquired large fortune
but lost his property in a fire, which completely
ruined him. The family retired to the old Gar
nier homestead. which had been in Mrs Hewitt 3
family for FIVE generations
There Abram 5. Hewitt grew up. spending part
of his time farming and part at school In this
city He had a natural taste for study. enter
prise and an indomitable will So. when Co
lunbia College gave two competitive scholar
ships for the boys of the public schools. he
promptly gained one. He afterward reimbursed
the college for this expense. His parents were
unable to contribute toward his living expenses.
and he therefore devoted part OF his time to
tutoring Even working under this handicap,
he was easily first in all his classes. and when
he was graduated. in the class of AZ, he re-
ceived double first
During his life at college he was teach1ng Il
Younger brother bringing him forward step BY
step with himself until at the end OF the
course the youth was examined and an hon
orary degree was awarded to him.
AN ACTING PROFESSOR.
Al graduation Mr. Hewitt appointed act
ing professor of mathematics in Columbia
While holding this situation he studied law.
but his arduous work had impaired his health.
particularly his eyesight, which was never per-
fect afterward Therefore in 1871. he took
81 900 which he had saved and with his pupil.
cIassmate and friend Edward Cooper. son ot
Peter Cooper went to Europe. When they
were returning the Mobile packet Alabamian.
on which they had sailed from Leghorn. was
storm tossed and when within twenty miles &C
Cape May had to be abandoned. The passen-
gers and crew suffered intensely in the life
boats barely escaping with their lives.
Mr. Hewitt applied himself to the law after
his return and in 1915 was admitted to the
bar. He found however that his impaired
eyesght hindered him seriously. 50 he decided
to abandon that profession. His friendship
with the Coopers had continued. and it was
decided that he and Edward Cooper should
form a business partnership. Peter Cooper
transferred to them the iron branch Of mis- own
business.
Cooper & Hewitt. the firm, met marked
success Mr. Hewitt devoted it's business
the re markable mental vigor which character
lied him The firm was the first to make iron
beams and girders for bridges and freproof
buildings. AT its works were made the iron
building. Its great plants-the Trenton Iron
Company and the New-Jersey Iron and Steel
COmpany-buiIt n 1915. produce immense
amount of wire and structural iron. IL has
blast furnaces at PaIuest. y. j.. and RiegeiS-
VILE Penn. To Mr. Hewitt due the intro
duction of the Martins -Siemens process for the
manufacture OF steel in this country.
ASSISTED IN THE CIVIL WAR
In 1862 Mr.. Hewitt went to England. to study
processes for manufacturing gun barrel irOn-
As a result. k.s nrm able supply this
essential material TO the United States Gov
erument during the Civil War. but would
cept no profit the transactions This gen.
erosity was a characteristic of the firms whole
policy. The management made cOnfdants OF
it's wOrkmen. keeping good terms with labor
organizat tions. In 1873 Mr.. Hewitt said at
OF the meetings Of the Congress committee oa
the grievances OF labor. of which he chair
man. that from 1873 TO 1873 the business of his
firm was conducted al a loss of S1OO.OEO year.
This was partly TO keep up the plant but
NEW SERVICE To CALIFORNIA
MILWAUKEE, & ST. PAUL AND