PREWITT

 

David

Linneus and Lotus Creek Twp.

“The subject of this sketch, though no longer among the living, will be remembered by many citizens of Linn county as an old settler and most worthy citizen.  David Prewitt was born in Halifax county, Virginia, on the 21^st day of December, 1791.  The name is probably of French origin, but the ancestors had been long in the United States.

  David was the son of Anthony Prewitt, who moved with his family to Madison county, Kentucky, when the former was fifteen years old, and lived there until 1819.  While residing in that State, our subject was married to Miss Nancy Turner, of a family quite prominent in Kentucky.  Two daughters were born to them before leaving that State.  In 1819, Mr. Prewitt, having shipped his goods by keel boat, started for Missouri, his only family being himself, wife, and two infant daughters.  They made the trip all the way on horseback, Mr. Prewitt riding one horse and carrying one child, and Mrs. Prewitt similarly mounted, carrying the other.  They settled at Old Franklin, in Howard county, and there the husband and father made a support for his family by engaging in the butchering business with Philip Barnes.  When the county seat was changed to Fayette, Mr. Prewitt moved to that town and there engaged in the hotel business.  He served two terms as sheriff of Howard county, in about 1830-33.  He was elected on the Whig ticket, his competitor being John Harvey, Esq.  Mr. Prewitt ran so well in the official race that he was honored with the soubriquet of “Black Whip,” that being the name of the fastest race-horse then in central Missouri.  On leaving Howard, in 1836, he removed to Rockport, Boone county, and there also engaged in the hotel business till his removal to Linn county.  This took place in 1840, and he settled near Linneus, just west of the farm which is now the home of Henry Clay Prewitt, his son.  As seen in the history of Linneus, he was one of the first merchants that ever did business in the place.  By referring to the official history it will be seen that he was county treasurer for several years.  Mr. Prewitt was a member of no church or secret society.  He was but once married though survived his wife some years.  They raised a family of nine children, of whom Henry C. is the only living son.

  Mr. Prewitt departed this life December 1, 1873.  He is buried at the Linneus cemetery, where rest several of his children.  Sleeping quietly with is own loved dead, his many friends and relatives recognize his grave as the resting place of a worthy citizen, who spent with them a long, useful, and eventful life.”

 

 

Henry Clay

Linneus and Lotus Creek Twp.

 

 

“was born in Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, on June 29^th, 1835.  He moved with his father, Mr. David Prewitt, to Boone county, and thence to Linn, arriving here when he was but five years old.  His schooling was acquired at the common schools of the county, the first one he attended being in the old log school-house on “Muddy”.  The practical part of his education, however, was got in the store of his father, where he remained from 1845 till 1852.  In that year, then but seventeen years old, he left home and went to California, where he remained four years, engaged in gold mining.  At that period, the old ‘sluice’ and ‘long-tom’ system were in vogue, and Mr. Prewitt made quite a success, returning before he was twenty-one, with two thousand dollars in cash.  This was the stake on which he bagan life, and he has the consolation of knowing that he made it himself.  In March, 1857, Mr. Prewitt began merchandising in Linneus and continued for twenty-three years.  He managed to live through the war without being forced to take an active part, though he was several times raided by thieves.  After the war he moved on to his farm in the southern suburb of Linneus, and quit merchandizing in 1879.

  Mr. Prewitt was married on the twenty-second day of February, 1857, to Miss Mary Frances Hunt, the daughter of Henry Hunt, of Ray county.

  She is still living, and they have five children living, all daughters, and one son and one daughter dead.  The oldest daughters are married, one being the wife of Wood Oreor, and the other of Dr. J. S. Johnson, all of Linneus.  Mr. Prewitt belongs to the Odd Fellows, and also to the A.O.U.W.

  Politically, he is a Democrat, but cast his first presidential vote for General Winfield Scott.  Mr. Prewitt has been a successful business man, and has reared an intelligent and interesting family o which he may well be proud.”

 

 

Lon	Jefferson Twp. and town of Laclede

 

 

“Mr. Prewitt is a native of Linn county, and was born on the twenty-first of February, 1855.  He is the son of Benjamin and Fannie Prewitt, and his early life was spent on the farm.  He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty went to  blacksmithing.  He carried on the business in Linneus till June, 1881, when he located at Laclede, where he now does a flourishing business.  Mr. Prewitt makes a specialty of horseshoeing, and has acquired a reputation for executing that kind of work in a very superior manner.  In addition to his other business, he has added that of carriage and wagon making.  Mr. Prewitt was married, December 20, 1876, to Miss Sallie Beaket, also a native of this county.  They have one child, named Ola.  Mr. Prewitt belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but to no other secret order.”

 

 

Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch ©2007  All Rights Reserved.