Dewey - John
John Dewey
Source: Montgomery County History, H. W. Beckwith (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 488
John DEWEY, New Richmond, was a native of Maryland, his father having come from England to that state. John made a trip west and settled on what was called White Water Creek, then on White River. In 1823 he entered land near Crawfordsville, and left word for his family to follow him. He prepared a round log cabin, 18 x 20. The family not arriving he started to meet them, and found the White River so high they could not cross. However he ferried the family and goods across in a canoe, and then swam the horses and cattle over. With wife and 7 children, James, Richard, John, Polly, Susan, Washington and John, Jr., he arrived in due time at his frontier home. The first season, aided by his children, he cleared 12 acres, planted it and raised a good crop of corn. His milling he carried to White Water, a distance of 100 miles. He died in 1849, at the age of 63 years. His wife died about 1852. They were members of the Regular Baptist Church. They left four children, born in Montgomery Co; Betsy, Margaret, Nancy and Eliza, who d. before her parents. Mr. D. left to his children 190 acres in the home farm and 280 acres in Coal Creek Twp. John Dewey; son of John was b. Oct 6, 1822, near White River in Indiana. He was 6 months old when his parents moved to Mont. Co. He was marr. in 1848 to Sarah GANNON who d. the following year. He next married June 12, 1851, Catharine GANNON, sister of his first wife, who was b. June 11, 1825 in NC. After marr, Mr. D. lived with his parents, caring for the home farm. One year after his father's death, he bought 160 acres in Coal Creek Twp, on which he lived 14 years. He sold this and bought 125 acres in Sec. 4 and now owns 115 1/2. He had 7 children, one dead and six living: James, William, Charles, Joseph, Scott, Howard and Ella. He had been a lifelong democrat, and expects always to belong to the same old party. Mr. & Mrs. Dewey belong to the Christian Church. -- typed by kbz