Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Dell. V. William, 4/29/1875, in Paulding, OH; children: 7, Gail H., John S., William B, Clayton E., Florence B. and Kenneth and 1 other; married Virginia Darby
Number of Children: 7
Background
Education:
attended district schools in Galena, OH; the National Normal School at Lebanon, OH; and Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Francis and Sarah W. (Leon or McLain) Dewitt. He moved to Delaware County, IN with his parents in 1854. After the Civil War, he practiced law for 17 years in Ohio. He also served in the Ohio State Legislature and was elected as a Republican representative to the 54th Congress (March 4, 1895 - March 3, 1897.) Unsuccessful in his bid for reelection in 1896, De Witt briefly returned to farming in Paulding, OH, before moving to Standish, MI, in 1902. He served as Arenac County Register of Dees, 1911-20; elected prosecuting attorney of Arenac County, MI, 1927-29. He was reelected in 1928 and served until his death in Standish, MI, on March 21, 1929.
Notable Facts:
At age 12, he enlisted in the 46th Ohio Infantry and served in the 46th and the 121st Ohio Infantry until the close of the Civil War in 1865. He was imprisoned in Confederate Prisons at Salisbury, NC, Danville, VA and Libby in Richmond, VA.
Served in the Ohio legislature and Congress. Died of heart disease.