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Frank Hewett and his wife, Blanche (Robinson) Hewett were well known Neillsville residents. Their parents were early pioneers of Clark County and the city of Neillsville. Frank served as the county’s surveyor for many years. He also maintained the Hewett homestead and farm, which was located on the present property of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The beautiful Hewett home was destroyed by fire in the late 1940s. (Photo courtesy of Bill Robert’s family collection)

Sherman Frank Hewett was born in Augusta, Wis., Sept. 4, 1865, his mother at that time being there temporarily with her parents. His father was the late James Hewett, pioneer lumberman, merchant and business promoter of Neillsville and vicinity.

"Frank", as he was familiarly called, grew up here, attended Neillsville schools and early began to take a part in some of his father’s business activities. At the age of 15, he started to join surveying parties running out the lines of his father’s timberlands. Under the training of the surveyors employed, he soon became an expert in the science of surveying. It was a work that he followed to some extent all the rest of his life.

He took over the Hewett home farm in the Neillsville city limits, which had been his boyhood home. He carried on farming until his death, developing a fine herd of Guernsey cattle in which he took a great interest.

At the time of the Klondike gold rush in the summer of 1897, he joined a party of Neillsville men going into Alaska, and spent 13 months in the far north. Although suffering from an injury to his knee that greatly handicapped him, he carried his hundred-pound pack over the icy trail with no word of complaint. His skill as a boats-man, gained by early experience on the Black River and its tributaries, made it possible for him and Hi Hart, also in the party, to run a boat laden with their supplies down the dangerous White Horse Rapids, a feat none of the rest of the travelers dared to attempt.

On his return, he again devoted his attention to his farm, and the surveying. In 1909, he was elected Clark County Surveyor, an office to which he was re-elected term after term, and which he filled with general satisfaction until he died.

A number of years ago, he served several terms as Neillsville City Treasurer. In 1923, he was appointed alderman to fill a vacancy and was elected for another term. In all of these public offices, he served with efficiency and fairness to all.
 
On Dec. 19, 1887, he was married to Miss Blanche Robinson of Neillsville. She was born at Weston Rapids, (just north of where the City of Neillsville now stands) on Sept. 27, 1869 Blanche Robinson was the daughter of David and Emma Robinson, pioneer settlers of this section of the Badger State. She obtained her early education in the Neillsville public schools, later attending St. Mary's College at Milwaukee. Her educational background prepared her for teaching and at the age of 16 she accepted a teaching contract in a rural school near the Snow post office, Neillsville, Wis.
 
No man in Clark County had more friends or commanded more universal respect than Frank Hewett. Born in pioneer times and growing up amidst the surrounding of a lumbering region, he was at all times and in all circumstances a true gentleman. Quiet in manner, and never seeking to secure publicity, through all his life he sought to do kindly deeds and help in an unobtrusive manner all who needed or deserved aid. In his home, his constant thought was for the welfare of his wife and daughter. Although gentle in manner, he stood firmly for right and justice, and never lacked the courage of his convictions. By his death, his family and this community have lost a brave and upright man.

   James Hewett, father of Frank