Jesse DeWitt
Jesse M. Dewitt, son of John Dewitt, sr., the pioneer of this township, whose sketch will be found elsewhere, was born March 4, 1826, on the farm he now occupies, which is the homestead, where he was reared, and obtained the rudiments of a common school education, attending an old antiquated log school house three months during the winter season of each year. He lived on the farm all his life, and was never away from home more than forty days at one time. He was married, February, 1862, to Mary J., daughter of Elisha and Rebecca Taylor, at that time residents of this county; the father was a native of Fairfield County, near Lancaster. This union resulted in eight children: Charlie, Minnie, Carrie, Harry, Birdie, Dailie, Lottie, and Clay, all living. Mr. Dewitt spent about one thousand seven hundred dollars to help prosecute the late war, though not an active participant. He owns part of the old homestead, which contains one hundred and forty-four and three-quarter acres of land, and is well improved. He still occupies the old brick, erected by his father in 1822; his land is located on the Chillicothe pike. He is a respected citizen, and good neighbor; votes the Democratic ticket, but is no politician.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County
One of the highly respected and honored citizens of the past generation in Fayette county, who has passed to his reward, was Jesse DeWitt, a native of this county and a lifelong resident. He was successful in his life work and at the same time left the impress of his strong personality upon the community where he lived and worked. He is now sleeping the sleep of the just, yet his influence still pervades the lives of those who were so fortunate as to enjoy his acquaintance and his name is deeply engraved on the pages of Fayette county's history. While his life was a busy one, he never allowed anything to interfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful performance of his everyday duties. Efficiently able to cope with every adversity which thwarted his pathway through life, he left a comfortable competence for his family and a name which is cherished by his family and honored by his friends.
The late Jesse DeWitt was born in Fayette countv. on March 4, 1829, and died April 14, 1907. His father, John DeWitt, was born on the same farm and in the same house. John DeWitt served his countrv in the War of 1812 and was a highly respected and influential citizen of this county for many years. Jesse DeWitt was one of twelve children. John, William, James S., Wesley N., Anderson, Darlington, Decatur, Greenup, Candace. Jesse M., and two who died in infancy.
Jesse DeWitt was reared under pioneer conditions and received only a very limited education. As a youth he had to clear the land and prepare it for cultivation and early in life decided to devote his career to agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until his marriage and then began farming for himself in Wayne township, where he lived until his death.
Mr. DeWitt was married in 1862 to Mary J. Taylor, the daughter of Elisha and Rebecca (Faust) Taylor, and to this union a large family of children were born. Charles, Minnie, Carrie, Dale, Lottie, Adah, Florence, Willard and Albert. Charles married Minnie Kimlile, who is now deceased; Carrie is the wife of John Post; Dale married Ollie Ferman and has five children, Pauline, Ruth, Harry, Mary and Walter; Lottie, deceased, was the wife of Charles Drooley, also deceased; Adah is the wife of Harry Burnett and has one daughter, Helen; Florence is living with her brothers on the old home farm; Willard and Albert are now managing the home farm of one hundred and forty-two acres. Willard is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
In politics, Jesse DeWitt was a stanch Democrat and, while he always was interested in political matters, yet he never aspired to public office, preferring rather to devote all of his attention to his farming interests. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. While Mr. DeWitt was always a busy man, yet he found time and opportunity to take an interest in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his community. He was devoted to his family and was held in high esteem by everyone who knew him.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)