----Source: 1918 History of Clark County, Wisconsin

                             Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hewett

HARRY HEWETT, the efficient and popular sheriff of Clark County, was born in Essex County, N. Y., March 4, 1867, son of George G. and Maria (McGoon) Hewett. The father was a native of Pennington, N. Y., and son of George Hewett, a farmer, agriculture being an occupation that has been followed by practically all the members of the family for many years back.

In 1873 George G. Hewett and wife, together with their three children, Harry, George G., Jr., and Emma, came to Clark County, Wis., on account of James Hewett, an uncle who had already located here and had become an extensive lumberman and farmer. This uncle, while on a visit to Essex County, N. Y., had persuaded George G. Hewett to come to Clark County and assume the management of a farm of 160 acres in Loyal Township, known as Farm 26,-a name which it still bears, it being now owned by a, brother-in-law of Harry Hewett, W. J. McKenzie.

The Hewett family came by train to Humbird, and thence by stage to Neillsville, where they arrived April 3, 1873. Mr. Hewett immediately assumed the management of the farm, which was well improved, with good buildings. There he remained for ten years, at the end of which time he was seized with a stroke of paralysis. He then gave up the farm and removed to Neillsville, where he died in 1884 at the age of 75 years. His wife made her home the balance of her days with her children, dying on a farm in Eaton Township, Aug. 30, 1914, at the advanced age of 81. George G. Hewett was of a broad and liberal turn of mind, an excellent farmer, loyal to his duties as a citizen, and was well liked and respected by his neighbors.

Harry Hewett attended the district school and assisted his father on the farm until reaching the age of 14 years. He then became connected With the lumber industry and was thus occupied for ten or twelve years during the season. His first work was attending to the chain. Afterwards he drove oxen through the woods, snailing logs, and for fifteen springs in succession was on the log drive on the river, continuing in this kind of work until the age of 32 years. During this period he was in the employ of such firms as Briden, Briden Armstrong, Hunsinger, John S. Owens and "Billie" Tuff. With commendable foresight he saved his money, and by the time he was 18 years old was able to purchase a tract of eighty acres of land in Sections 25 and 26, Eaton Township. He cleared and grubbed this property by taking a yoke of oxen home with him in the spring from the woods and keeping them in good condition until he returned in the fall. During his logging career he used to walk to and from the camp, a distance of twenty miles, leaving the camp after work was over on Saturday night, and returning in time to feed his team at 4:00 a. m. on Monday morning. In time he cleared all of his farm except five acres, taking up his permanent residence on it at the age of 32 years. He has since added another eighty acres to it, and has brought it into a high state of cultivation. He is breeding a high grade of Guernsey cattle, keeping a full-blooded sire. He was also instrumental in the organization of the local cheese factory.

Mr. Hewett has been for a number of years closely identified with public affairs in his township and county. He served as chairman of the town board with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, and also held the office of town treasurer for a short period. He has always taken an active interest in the building of good roads, persevering in his efforts even under unfavorable conditions, and was the first county road commissioner elected in Clark County. He was elected for a period of three years, but was obliged to resign on account of there being no funds at that time to pay his salary and expenses. In the fall of 1912 Mr. Hewett was elected sheriff of this county, taking office Jan. 1, 1913, and serving two years. At the fall election of 1916 he was again elected, beginning his duties for the new term, Jan. 1, 1917. In this important office he has made a good record, justifying the choice of his fellow citizens, among whom he holds a wide popularity.

Mr. Hewett was united in marriage to Elizabeth McKenzie, who was born in Canada, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. McKenzie, who were pioneer settlers in Loyal Township, this county, where they still reside. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hewett: Bessie, who is residing at home and James, who is now in Valley, Wash.