Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Henry HEWITT, Sr.

************************************************************************
Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> December 2007

© All rights reserved. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
************************************************************************

Transcribed from 
Lawson, Publius V.  History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: its cities,
towns, resources people. Chicago: C.F. Cooper and Company, 1908. v.2 p.782-
783


Mr. Henry Hewitt, Sr., was born in England in 1814, and came to America in
1842, settling first in Racine county, Wisconsin.  He removed to Menasha in
1856, though he had been there on a observation as early as 1850.  He was a
contractor on the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement from its commencement.  He
did the work at Kaukauna, excavated the long canals, made the banks, and
constructed the dam, having a large force of men under him.  They cut and
hauled all the timber.  He also excavated the enlarged canal at Menasha in
1856-7, and built the crib work in the front of the dam, and built the
wooden "A" bridge at Tayco street.  A charter was obtained and the National
Bank of Neenah organized November 12, 1865, with Mr. Henry Hewitt, Sr.,
president, and Mr. Robert Shiells cashier.  In 1870 he founded the present
Bank of Menasha under the name of the National Bank of Menasha, and from
that time until his death he was attached to it as few men are attached to
any business.  Every day, rain or shine, his familiar face, ruddy and
gathering with the rare good health that comes from careful living, could
be seen near the fireplace, and not until approaching death forced him to
the confinement of his home did he retreat from the post which he song long
and faithfully occupied.  He was a tower of strength in the world of
finance, and it will be many years before the name of Henry Hewitt, Sr., is
forgotten among those who live in these parts.  He died at Menasha March
22, 1897, and was buried from his home on Washington street.