Historical encyclopedia of Illinois . is time and strength. Heis a keen appreciator of the advantages of fra-ternal associations, and has been a member ofthe Masons for many years. Education, ethics,good roads, charitable organizations and countyinterests in general, have received his earnestand practical supi>ort, and his advice regardingimportant issues in the community ever has beensound, far-sighted and worthy of good deeds and many disinterested kind-nesses are attributed to him. and his name standsfor the strong character and worth of the com-munity. DEWITT, Rev. Jame?
Historical encyclopedia of Illinois . is time and strength. Heis a keen appreciator of the advantages of fra-ternal associations, and has been a member ofthe Masons for many years. Education, ethics,good roads, charitable organizations and countyinterests in general, have received his earnestand practical supi>ort, and his advice regardingimportant issues in the community ever has beensound, far-sighted and worthy of good deeds and many disinterested kind-nesses are attributed to him. and his name standsfor the strong character and worth of the com-munity. DEWITT, Rev. Jame? (deceased).—ArrivingIn Schuyler County in the latter thirties as analmost penniless pedestrian in search of a widerfield of labor, Rev. James DeWitt remained theassociate of the growing fortunes of this part ofthe State until his death. September 9, 1897,achieving success in the meantime as a farmer,merchant. Methodist Episcopal clergyman andpolitician. Mr. DeWitt was born in Hope, War-ren County. X. J., November 5. 1817, a son of. />u-<3 A/. 7 . /W^v^. HISTOEY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY. 815 James and Anna (Coates) DeWitt, both nativesof New Jersey, the former born in SussexCounty. The family came to Oakland County,Mich., in 1842, and here the elder DeWitt diedat the age of ninety-six years, his wife dying atthe age of seventy years. They reared a familyof eight children, of whom Rev. James was nextto the youngest. James DeWitt knew few advantages in hisyouth, and the responsibility of self-support set-tled upon his life when but thirteen years hadpassed over bis head. He then began to clerkin the store of an older brother, and about 1830went to Pennsylvania, and filled a similar posi-tion in the general store of another brother. Inthe spring of 1S38 he came by canal, river andrail to St. Louis, Mo., thence by boat up theMississippi and Illinois Rivers to SchuylerCounty, where he clerked for the rest of the sum-mer for Dr. B. V. Teel. Thrifty and economi-cal, he saved all pos
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