Myron D. Hewitt was born August 22, 1838, at Berlin, N. Y., and died at the home of his son, Otis B. Hewitt, Near Farina, Ill., Sunday night, June 17, 1928, at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 25 days. He was the last of five children born to Andrew and Abigail Green Hewitt. He spent his young manhood in and about the place of his birth. He taught several terms of school and was counted a successful teacher. On November 28, 1859, he was united in marriage to Antoinette Victoria Brown, at the home of the bride's parents, Orrin and Hannah Brown, Rev. A. W. Coon officiating.
Shortly after the marriage they came to Farina and homesteaded a few miles north of the present site of the village; upon this same farm where he established the home sixty-three years ago, he departed this life.
He is survived by his two sons, Otis B. and Fred E. Hewitt; two grandchildren, Roy and Oley; a large number of nephews and nieces and other relatives and close friends.
The greater part of Mr. Hewitt's active life was spent upon the farm, although for some time following the fall of 1876 he was engaged in the hotel business in Farina. One of the outstanding characteristics of Uncle Myron, by which term he was affectionately called, was his friendliness. His home was known far and wide for the genuineness of his hospitality. Young people of a few years ago still recall with pleasure the good times which they enjoyed there. The writer has heard give expression to this phrase: "We were always glad to go to Uncle Myron's; he and his wife entered into the sport and we always had a good time." Youth is one of the best judges of adult life and old age. If this true, Mr. Hewitt kept his heart young and was a character in whom was no guile.
As a pioneer he passed through the trials and hardships incident to such life. He loved to speak of the early days when the term, "neighbor," really meant something, and of the tried and true friendships of those years. In his reminiscences, while he remembered the toil and labor, the shortage of food, the severity of the winters, and the long periods of sickness when there were scarcely enough well to care for the sick, he never spoke of the experiences complainingly or voiced the thought that he was in any way entitled to either praise or sympathy. He took things as they came and tried to make the best of them. This same pioneer spirit was manifested during his last conscious hours when he told those about him that it was his last sickness and that the final roll call was about to be sounded.
As a young man he was baptized and joined the Campbellite Church, but upon his marriage and removal to Farina he united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He attended the services regularly and contributed to its support as long as he was able. At the last annual communion service of the church he sent a statement to be read, as he was too feeble to attend. He mentioned his interest in the organization, his love for his Savior and for his brothers and sisters in Christ, and with a touch of sadness, stated that he was the last of the group present at the organization of the church sixty-three years ago. He also said that since that date he had witnessed the passing of six pastors, twelve deacons, and one hundred and twenty-five members. However, he looked forward with optimism and placed great confidence in the future of the church.
The loss of his faithful companion, a little more than five years ago, was a severe blow to him. Following her death he went to live with his son, Otis, where his daughter-in-law, Nellie, has been faithful in her care for him.
He has lived a long life, during which nearly one-half of that vast domain known as the United States has been subjugated and formed into a great commonwealth; in this he has has his part, and who shall say that he has not played it well? He comes to his end loved and respected by all who knew him. "In a full age like a shock of corn in his season."
Funeral services were conducted at the Seventh Day Baptist Church, by his pastor, Rev. C. L. Hill, Tuesday afternoon, June 19, and the body was laid to rest beside that of his wife in the Farina Cemetery. C. L. H.
