Hezekiah R. Dewey Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1028-1029

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.


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HON. HEZEKIAH R. DEWEY is a prominent and progressive gentleman who 
enjoys the pleasures of a rural life in. Grand Blanc Township, Genesee 
County. He is a man, however, who has opinions and thoughts of his own 
outside of the fertile acres which he tills so successfully, and the 
sleek kine that stand knee deep in the luscious grass of his meadows. 
Mr. Dewey has been selected by his townsmen and neighbors in the 
Legislative district as State Representative from the First District of 
Genesee County, and while so serving discharged the duties of his 
public trust, both circumspectly and wisely.

   Our subject is a native of Monroe County, N. Y., and was born April 
4, 1839. His parents, Joseph and Maria (Ranney) Dewey, were natives of 
Connecticut, his ancestors on both sides being mixed English and 
Scotch. He was the fifth son in order of birth in his father's family, 
and was carefully reared by a wise and prudent mother. From early 
boyhood he engaged in farming with the exception of a short time spent 
in the mercantile business in Nevada, Iowa. He received his education 
in his native county, and later attended Eastman's Commercial College 
at Rochester. N. Y., finally spending one year at Lima Seminary, also 
in New York. Mr. Dewey has always been an omnivorous reader, and one of 
keen and true judgment, both as regards literary style and matter. 
After his school course he was engaged for several terms in teaching in 
New York. When eighteen years of age he went West to Iowa, and spent 
one year in visiting different parts of the State.

   Subsequent to his visit in Iowa, our subject traveled for some time 
in Nebraska, and later returned to New York State. There he was married 
in November, 1860, to Miss Addie T. Curtis, who was born near Syracuse, 
N. Y. By her he has become the father of two children, William C. and 
Kittie T. After his marriage he resided in New York for some two years, 
and then removed to Marshall County, Iowa, and was there engaged in the 
business of manufacturing pumps at Marshalltown. He and his brother, 
William H., were in partnership, which connection lasted two years, 
when at the expiration of that time he lost his wife. After spending a 
few months in Iowa, he returned to New York, and subsequently married 
Julia Thompson, a daughter of Hamilton Thompson, of Rush, N. Y. He 
remained there about two years, after which with his family he came to 
Genesee County, this State, and settled in Grand Blanc Township. In 
1881 he located on his present farm where he devotes himself to general 
agriculture, his interest being chiefly centered in the raising of fine 
American Merino sheep which are registered. He also raises Short-horn 
and Jersey cattle.

   For a number of years Hon. H. R. Dewey has served as Director of 
Genesee County Agricultural Society, and for one year was President of 
the same. For four years he has been a Director of the Michigan State 
Agricultural Society. The fair over which the Directors have control 
was held in various points of the State. Our subject has also served as 
Drainage Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and on being elected to 
the State Legislature for the session of 1889-90, he was appointed 
Chairman of the Committee of the Agricultural College, and in this way 
did efficient work. Our subject is a strong Republican in politics, and 
is thoroughly posted as regards the issues of his party. He owns a 
well-improved farm of one hundred acres of land. Much credit is due him 
for the success that he has acquired in life, and the fine home that he 
has. obtained is the result of his own untiring industry and 
intelligent executive ability.




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