Fernando DeCello Dewitt

Fernando DeWitt born March 26 1884 in Cooperstown, Illinois, married Sarah Ellen Wilson April 26 1864 in Mt Sterling , Illinois. and died august 27 1922 in Savannah, Missouri in a cancer institute, his body was then taken to his hometown of Goodland Kansas to be buried.

Civil War service Records

DeWitt Fernando D DeWitt. - Company G.- Unit. 3 Illinois Cavalry.- Rank induction, Sergeant-Rank discharge.Sergeant. notes- Allegiance, Union.

Fernando DeWitt and his Wife Sarah Ellen came to Sherman County Kansas from Illinois in a covered wagon in the 1880's . they homesteaded in Mc Pherson township south of the north fork of the smokey hill river. It appeared that F D was a well educated man, letters written to J B Moore La Blanche exhibited remarkable penmanship. Fernando was a carpenter by trade, he constructed the large H U A ( Homesteaders Union Association) emblem which hangs on the west wall of the commissioners room at the courthouse.

On February 24th 2894 Fernando filed and received a timber Homestead , signed by President Grover Cleveland ( certificate # 7344) Because of the drought conditions in the late 1890's they moved to Arkansas, On january 11/1911 John Jay Fernandos son bought the homestead from his father.

About 1896 the family moved to Coates, Arkansas where Fernando was Postmaster After Sarah Ellen died December 25, 1898 in Arkansas, Fernando returned to his homestead, this had been rented to J B Moore during his absence in return for his care taking duties of their home and buildings . In 1911 he deeded his homestead to his son John Jay who had the adjoining quarter, Census shows Fernando living with his Son James and family in the 1920 census.

The Goodland Republic
September 1, 1921

OBITUARY--DEWITT

With the passing of F. D. DeWitt at Savannah, Missouri, Saturday, August 27th, another soldier of the Civil War has gone on to his last roll call. F. D. DeWitt was born in 1842 and served with credit in the defense of his country. He came to Sherman county in 1886 and the next year located with his family twenty miles southwest of Goodland where his son John now lives.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt and all are living. Only two, John and Mrs. George Hamlin, who live in this county were able to be at the funeral. The other children are Will, Elmer, Hattie, Delavan, Allen and James.

Mr. DeWitt was troubled with cancer on his face, and had gone to Savannah to take treatment, at which place he died. The body was shipped to Goodland, funeral services held by Rev. Luther Moore. Interment was made in the Goodland cemetery.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 19 2021, 20:38:27 UTC