The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-09-23
Obituary-John w. Dewey.

earliest settlers or Shiawassee cOun-
ty, died at his home In Owosso town
ship. Sunday night, September IL,
1910, at the advanced age of 92
years, 3 months and Z days.
The funeral was held Wednesday
morning from the home. Rev. Car
los II. Hanks of the Congregational
church of this city, and Rev. j. s.
limerick of the Bennington M. E.
church officiating with fifty and ten
DERBY spoken words. Mrs. F. F.
Hoyer, Mrs. ID. NJ. Christian sang APP
prcpriate hymns.
Many friends and neighbors gath
spect to the venerable old man who
had outlived most of his own day
generation The only near relative
surviving him is sister, Mrs. Mary
Tranger of Niles, Mich, who on ac-
count of advanced age was unable
to be present. The only family rel
ative at the funeral was a nephew,
George Dewey, son of the late Dus-
tin Dewey of this city. From out-of-
town, were Mr.. and Mrs,AA. M. Boice
of Lansing, the latter a sister of Mrs.
Charles Wimple, adopted daughter
of Mr.. Dewey. =
The following simple facts are
taken from the Shiawassee county
history:
Mr.. Dewey was born in Erie coun-
ty, New York, June 3, 1917. He was
a son of Apollos Dewey and Abigail
Wetmore Dewey. Mr.. Dewey re-
manned at home until "a years OF
age. Previous to this he had pur-
caesed 80 acres on what il now Sec
ton 32 in Owosso township, paying
tour dollars per acre. This tract
of land was his home for almost all
the remainder of his life. His faith
er had given him $50 acres across
the road on section 29. His mother
advised him against building a house
until such time as he could erect a
permanent one and he acted upon
her judgment. OF the $40 acres he
improved all but 40 acres of timber.
When Mr.. Dewey's parents located
in Owosso township they brought
plenty of supplies, so as to have sui
ficent until they could raise crops.
This was in 1889 when Owosso town.
snip was part Of Middlebury town
ship. The pioneers walked through
the woods as there were no roads.
Mr.. Dewey and his father helped
clear up most of the woods to their
section of the country. The elder
Dewey had in 1885 taken up 240
acres Of government land. They
built a row of shanties 60 feet long
and had to split lumber for floors
and benches. Five years later Apol-
los Dewey built brick house, with
Drick made on the farm and he han
died every brick in the structure.
He lived in the place until his death.
He made his home with his son for
seven years after the latter's mother
died. This was during the time of
wildcat money. Apollos Dewey de-
posted some money in a Pontiac
bank, but the institution failed be-
fore he got around to draw it.
When John w. Dewey came to
Owosso township, Owosso consisted
IF but a few huts. The first grain
grown by his father in Michigan had
10 be cut with sickle, threshed with
q fail and cleaned by the wind.
When taken to the mill in Detroit
he farmer was forced to wait for
ne wind before it could be ground.
Mr.. Dewey had seen hundreds of
Indians in body with Governor
Cass negotiating treaty with them.
Then the Indians used to go through |
20 Detroit on their trails, once a
year, to receive their pay from the
government. He had seen half
mile of them in string.
Mr.. Dewey was Originally a Whig, |
)ut later Republican. He repre-
,ented this district in the state leg |
stature during 1SS1-S2 and was |
present at every session. He served |
Is justice of the peace for eight |
'ears and three times as highway
commissioner. He never sought Of
Ice, however, the Office invariably
seeking him. He was educated in
he district schools of Oakland and |
,hiawassee counties.
Mr.. Dewey was constant sup
porter of the M. E. church at Ben
lington, and for many years one of
is valued trustees. He was an hon.
red member of the Pioneer societies
# the state and county, and famil-
ar figure at all those gatherings. He
'ore the distinction for many years
# having lived longest In the state.
Mr.. Dewey was twice married,
Irst to Fidelia S. Mather, who bore
i'm one child, which died in infancy,
nd who was soon followed by it's
mother to their eternal home. Later
lie married Mrs. Nancy M Frink with
whom he lived many years in the
;reatest harmony till she too was
AIKEN from him in 1899. From that
ime he has felt himself ION the
rink" Nearing his Fathers home"
nd leaving the business of life to
ther hands.
Mr.. Dewey was good man, a con-
iderate neighbor. He took a keen