Individual Details
Lafayette DeWitt
(11 Jan 1857 - 11 Nov 1948)
Lafayette DeWitt, son of John and Mary Jane DeWitt, was born at Perry, Pike Co., Ill., January 11th, 1857. He married Mary Augusta Hollenkamp at Louisville, Ky., January 29th, 1880 (Family papers dated June 8th, 1915) Mary bore a total of ten children, but only six reached maturity. A set of twins died at birth, one infant died at four months, another at six months.
Lafayette and Mary Augusta met while working at a large department store in Louisville. After their marriage in 1880, they opened their own establishment across the street from the original store. An article describing "Lafayette De Witt & Co." was published in the German Newspaper Sonntagsblatt des Louisville Anzeiger on 16 Dec 1888.
"Lafayette DeWitt was born in Perry, Ills. Jan. 11, 1857 and will be 32 years old on Jan 11 1889. When 5 years old, his dad moved to Anderson Co., Ky near Fox Creek, as farmer; stayed 5 years, then started a dry goods business in Willisburg; including grocery and farm. In fall of 1869 bought "Farmers' Home" on Market, sold it 2 years later and returned to Willisburg. Spring 1871 returned to Louisville and took job in grocery of his 2 older brothers. In Sept. 1873 - 1876 was farmer in Illinois, then went to Kentucky and took job with Mssr. Bacons & Sons for 3 years. Also worked party as agent for "Home Journal" and made many friends and became widely known. Oct 1869 took job with Sharpe & Middleton, and became associates with Henry W. Middleton after 1 1/2 years on Feb 7, 1881 opened with them store W 410-East Market above Preston, Store name : Middleton & DeWitt, went very well. On Jan 15 1882 DeWitt bought out partner and became associate of D. Barcklay, (Robinson & Co.). New name of Business: L. DeWitt & Co. He is sole owner of business, dry goods, cleaning supplies, coats & notions. For Christmas he stocks gifts, toys, toiletries, glass and porcelain, dolls, etc. &;4 years ago he moved to larger quarters,and has big salesrooms, 40 front feet by 120 feet deep and filled from bottom to top with wares. DeWitt is liked by all, including his drummers and customers, and makes friends every where. On Jan. 29 1880 he married Miss M.A. Hollenkamp, an educated, charming young lady, niece of the late J.H. Ruwe, They have 2 boys and 2 girls. His wife helps with management; she was involved in the store during last 7 years, and understands thoroughly to assist and advise in buying wares, her main attention is on cleaning dept. A visit to the establishment is well worth the trouble. Through strict management, energy and foresight the house of DeWitt & Co. grew into a mammoth establishment in only 8 years. By the same token, the business promises to become one of the largest dry goods, cleaning supplies & coats store of Louisville."
Louisville, Kentucky Directory, 1887
Surname Given Name MI C Occupation Address
DeWitt George M driver
DeWitt John grocer
DeWitt John H
DeWitt Lafayette dry goods
DeWitt Millie c
DeWitt Robert clerk
DeWitt Sallie clerk
DeWitt William E millinery
Johnson DeWitt C collector 1967 Portland av
DeWitt family church - Broadway Christian Church, Louisville, KY
( so. side of B'way between Floyd and Preston)
Early address of DeWitt family in Louisville, KY - 1019 Fourth St.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Tue, Jan 5, 1897, Page 6
Had a Horse, But Had to Walk
Mr. Lafayette DeWitt, the real estate agent, drove out on Chestnut street, between Preston and Jackson, yesterday afternoon to look at some property. He left his team tied to a post, and when he returned found that the lines had been taken from the harness. He was compelled to lead the team to his home, similar cases have been reported to the police, but the names of the thieves can not be learned.
Letterhead of stationary used July 10th 1901 - (See letter under Olive May)
L. DeWitt, President John Henry DeWitt, Vice-President Clarence D. DeWitt, Secretary Mrs. L. Dewitt, Treasurer.
Office of L. DeWitt & Sons
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Dry Goods, Millinery, Notions, Cloaks and Suits,
Ladies' and Gents' Furnishing Goods,
426, 428 and 430 East Market St.,
Louisville, Ky., _____________190
______________________________
Lafe's business became insolvent in 1904 and was sued by creditors.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Wed, Jan 20, 1904, Page 5
INSTITUTE
Bankruptcy Proceedings Against L. DeWitt & Sons.
EIGHT CREDITORS FILE SUIT.
DRY GOODS FIRM ALLEGED TO BE INSOLVENT.
DENIAL OF FRAUD CHARGE.
Creditors of L. DeWitt & Sons yesterday filed two petitions seeking to force the firm into bankruptcy. The complainants allege that the firm is insolvent and that within the past four months attempts have been made to transfer the assets to certain creditors for the purpose of defrauding the petitioners.
The first petition was filed by James R. Duffin, the attorney, on behalf of five creditors to whom L. DeWitt & Sons owe the following amounts:
J. M. Robinson, Norton & Co. ........................................ $1,321 65
David Baird & Sons................................................................ 1,843 19
The American Skirt Manufacturing Company................ 136 46
Carter & Holmes........................................................................ 78 37
Royal Worcester Corset Company...................................... 115 00
The second petition was file by Alfred Sellingman on behalf of the following creditors:
A. Kraner & Co........................................................................... $172 00
Cuno, Perlmuter & Co .......................................................... 216 50
Morris-Newman Company (two notes), aggregating ... 279 24
The petitions are similar in character and allege that the firm of L. DeWitt & Co., doing a general dry goods business, is insolvent and had committed several acts of bankruptcy. The first petition charges that on or about November 5, the firm being insolvent at that time, $500 was abstracted from the cash and turned over to Lafayette DeWitt for the purpose of hindering and delaying the creditors or some of them. It is also charged that within four months preceding the filing of the petition, the firm being insolvent, transferred a portion of its assets to certain creditors, and that certain creditors were permitted through legal proceedings to obtain preferences over other creditors. The second petition charges that the transfer of a large part of the assets of the company was made for the purpose of defrauding certain creditors.
Deny Allegation.
L. DeWitt & Sons is composed of Lafayette DeWitt, John H. DeWitt, Clarence D. DeWitt and Mary J. DeWitt. The firm was in business for several years on Market street and recently moved to 521 Fourth avenue. For some time past the affairs of the house have been involved and business has been carried on under the direction of a committee of the creditors. It was finally determined that the best method was to close up the case in bankruptcy, and it is probable that a voluntary petition will be filed by the firm.
Lafayette DeWitt, the head of the firm, said yesterday that he is willing to face the charges and denied that there had been any fraud. "Everyone that knows me," he said, "knows that I would not be guilty of any fraud. My books are open now and have always been open to my creditors, and I have never been involved in a single transaction that was not thoroughly honest."
Morris Sachs, who had been retained by Mr. DeWitt, said that the allegation of fraud is purely formal and referred to certain alleged preferences. "Mr. DeWitt's course has been absolutely honorable," he said, "and he has not attempted to conceal the condition of his business from his creditors. It has not yet been decided whether or not the bankruptcy proceedings will be resisted, but it is not improbable that a voluntary petition will be filed and the business closed up under the direction of the court. The $500 alleged to have been taken out of the business was used by Mr. DeWitt to pay an outstanding account, and the transaction could not have been in the nature of fraud."
L. DeWitt & Sons went bankrupt in 1904. ("In Re Mueller, Trustee." American Bankruptcy Reports., vol. 14. 1906. pg 256-263.)
American Bankruptcy Reports Annotated: Reporting the Bankruptcy Decisions and Opinions in the United States of the Federal Courts, State Courts, and Referees in Bankruptcy. United States, M. Bender, 1906.
.. an involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed against the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons, composed of Lafayette DeWitt, Clarence DeWitt, J. H. DeWitt and Mary A. DeWitt, and that the firm and individuals composing it were adjudged bankrupts.
Mary A. DeWitt is the wife of Lafayette DeWitt. Mary A. DeWitt has an individual estate which estate passed to and is in the possession of her trustee in bankruptcy, who is also trustee for the bankrupt firm of which she is a member.
The estate of the bankrupt firm is insufficient to pay the firm debts. But the petition avers that the estate of Mary A. DeWitt is sufficient "to pay all the claims proved against it" if the claim of the German Insurance Bank be excluded.
The petition then avers that the said German Insurance Bank was the holder of five promissory notes signed by the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons and by Mary A. DeWitt and one Wilhelmina Rueve.
That the said bank filed and proved their claims against the estate of L. DeWitt & Sons and received a small dividend thereon. That afterwards the said band filed a proof of claim against the individual estate of Mary A. DeWitt based upon the same indebtedness.
This proof of debt alleged that the said Mary A. DeWitt by her individual signature upon said notes had become individually liable for the said indebtedness.
The said proof of claim is made an exhibit to the petition for review and in said proof it is among other things alleged, "that the said Mary A. DeWitt the person against whom a petition for adjudication of bankruptcy has been filed, was at and before the filing of said petition, and still is, justly and truly indebted to said corporation in the sum of $5,425.00; that the consideration of said debt is a follows:
"1. A promissory note dated September 23, 1903, executed and delivered by said Mary A. DeWitt, bankrupt, to said creditor, by which she, the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons, also bankrupts, and on Wilhelmina Rueve, jointly and severally promised and agreed to pay, etc."
Then follows a like allegation in regard to four other notes signed by the firm and by said Mary A. DeWitt and Wilhelmina Rueve.
..
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Sun, Jan 26, 1908, Page 13
Discharges in Bankruptcy.
The following discharges in bankruptcy were granted yesterday by Judge Walter Evans in the United States Court: Lafayette DeWitt, Moses D. Levy, Frank D. Johnston, of Louisville.
Leaving all this behind, the death of his wife, his business failure, Lafe and daughter Olive moved to Los Angeles California in September 1910.
Lafe lived at 1047 South Westlake Ave, Los Angeles, California during 1933.
Lafe's grandson Charles Dewitt Prouty, remembers that his grandfather would ride the trolley every week to his parents house for Sunday dinner. The neighborhood children would all come out and wait for him as he always gave them lifesavers when he passed by. He also wrote the following about his grandfather -
Grandpa by Charles Dewitt Prouty, 1946
Some twenty-three years ago I first met the old gentleman. I do not remember anything about this occasion. Probably he does not recall much about it himself, for by the time I arrived on the scene, meeting another addition to a newer generation was not such an unusual event in Grandpa's life, as he can count something like ten children of his own, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Lets not try to enumerate the grand nieces, nephews and such. However he did send me a nice birthday card on my twenty-third birthday, last September. But I believe that my mother did a little prompting on this occasion. Grandpa is now eighty-nine years old, you see.
He is a great stickler for anniversaries, special days, etc. For instance, on Father's Day he will mail a card to every man in his acquaintance who is a father. He never misses sending a birthday card to every relative or acquaintance when the occasion arises. Of late years he sometime gets his dates mixed, but he never fails to send a birthday greeting card. Sometime he forgets that he has sent a card and sends another. But he never misses sending a birthday card.
Of late, he has become rather early in the mailing out of seasonal greeting cards. I think he is sending out his Thanksgiving cards now and in about two weeks will start on the Christmas cards. But Grandpa does not have much to do except sit in his room and watch for the arrival of Life magazine and send out greeting cards.
Now that room of his, you should see it. It is on the second floor, large and well lighted, having a big bay window giving Grandpa some diversion in viewing the busy traffic of the Westlake section. In one corner near the window sits Grandpa's huge old fashioned roll top desk. It has dozens of small pigeon holed drawers. Grandpa is quite orderly and methodical and files everything carefully away in little string bound packets in the numerous pigeon holed drawers. When he tries to find something in this maze of drawers it is a days work. However, he is patient and persistent. Sometimes he finds it, though I do not believe he has yet found his sugar stamps.
Grandpa is somewhat an authority on genealogy, that is when it comes to our family. At least he has two walls of the room covered with family pictures. There are various sizes; snapshot enlargements, cabinet sizes and larger pictures, all neatly framed and securely hung by heavy braided picture wire from massive hooks. Each picture is further protected from a fall by one of Grandpa's inventions. This consists of a large button, any size or color, with a nail the right size to pass through a hole in the button. One of these devices is placed beneath the picture at each corner, the nail being firmly driven into the wall and preventing the picture from sliding downward while the button snug between the nail head and picture frame prevents the bottom of the picture from swinging outward from the wall. I believe this is a guard against earthquakes. Grandpa is a true believer in safety.
Occupying a prominent position on this old fashioned desk of Grandpa's is an old, yet well preserved, photograph. It is of that peculiar sepia tint much in vogue in the old days when photography was yet a new art. It is a picture of a young newly wedded couple. They are dressed in a what today would seem to be a real old fashioned style. Yet one can tell that the materials of the grooms suit and the brides elaborate wedding gown were of the best and the styles were what was then the latest thing. This slender young man, with clear cut features, whom I know was blue eyed, blond and tall is seated with his lovely young bride standing beside his chair, her hand gently caressing his shoulder. They seem to direct their gaze fearlessly, confidently, yes, even challengingly, happily into the misty distant future where now I stand and look back to them.
Mother says that when I was quite small I expressed my desire as to choice of a career as follows: "I want to carry grips and sell goods like grandpa." Grandpa knows merchandise of good quality as most of his life's work had been as department store owner and manufacturer's representative, handling textiles and ready-to-wear clothing. He has a generous heart and always wishes to do something for others. It is a great disappointment to him if I do not allow him to make me a gift of a handkerchief, necktie or pair of socks, when I visit him. This knowledge of values and qualities of other things is yet keen, as, for instance, when driving in the country, we pass by a well kept farm, he will say, "That's mighty good land there, mighty good land," his memory hearkening back may years to the days when he owned farms and horses in the Blue Grass country.
Grandpa is an art connoisseur when it comes to selecting greeting cards. He always uses good taste as to beauty and design and selects a card with an appropriate verse to the occasion and person for whom it is intended. But Grandpa has his faults, I might say his worst, in his habit of mutilating the cards. No matter how beautiful the card, or how lovely the verse or motto Grandpa always adds his own special finishing touch, writing in a bold hand across the face such messages as: "With love and very best wishes, your loving grandfather," or "To my very special friend with sincere wishes from," and completes his mutilation by adding the date and signing his name in full followed by his address using particular care in spelling out in big black letters the words Los Angeles California.
At least when I was young it appeared to me to be a mutilation of lovely greeting cards, but as Grandpa grows older I am going to miss receiving a beautiful card addressed in a sprawling shaky hand writing with a message in the same shaky hand across the face: "Special - with love and very best wishes to my grandson Charles DeWitt Prouty on his twenty-third birthday - from your loving Grandfather, Lafayette DeWitt, 1949 Elden Avenue Los Angles California."
Lafe's grandson was given his gold pocketwatch, an ornate hunter style engraved with a regal buck. The dial is in roman numerals and has a seconds dial. This pocket watch remains in the family today.
Lafayette and Mary Augusta met while working at a large department store in Louisville. After their marriage in 1880, they opened their own establishment across the street from the original store. An article describing "Lafayette De Witt & Co." was published in the German Newspaper Sonntagsblatt des Louisville Anzeiger on 16 Dec 1888.
"Lafayette DeWitt was born in Perry, Ills. Jan. 11, 1857 and will be 32 years old on Jan 11 1889. When 5 years old, his dad moved to Anderson Co., Ky near Fox Creek, as farmer; stayed 5 years, then started a dry goods business in Willisburg; including grocery and farm. In fall of 1869 bought "Farmers' Home" on Market, sold it 2 years later and returned to Willisburg. Spring 1871 returned to Louisville and took job in grocery of his 2 older brothers. In Sept. 1873 - 1876 was farmer in Illinois, then went to Kentucky and took job with Mssr. Bacons & Sons for 3 years. Also worked party as agent for "Home Journal" and made many friends and became widely known. Oct 1869 took job with Sharpe & Middleton, and became associates with Henry W. Middleton after 1 1/2 years on Feb 7, 1881 opened with them store W 410-East Market above Preston, Store name : Middleton & DeWitt, went very well. On Jan 15 1882 DeWitt bought out partner and became associate of D. Barcklay, (Robinson & Co.). New name of Business: L. DeWitt & Co. He is sole owner of business, dry goods, cleaning supplies, coats & notions. For Christmas he stocks gifts, toys, toiletries, glass and porcelain, dolls, etc. &;4 years ago he moved to larger quarters,and has big salesrooms, 40 front feet by 120 feet deep and filled from bottom to top with wares. DeWitt is liked by all, including his drummers and customers, and makes friends every where. On Jan. 29 1880 he married Miss M.A. Hollenkamp, an educated, charming young lady, niece of the late J.H. Ruwe, They have 2 boys and 2 girls. His wife helps with management; she was involved in the store during last 7 years, and understands thoroughly to assist and advise in buying wares, her main attention is on cleaning dept. A visit to the establishment is well worth the trouble. Through strict management, energy and foresight the house of DeWitt & Co. grew into a mammoth establishment in only 8 years. By the same token, the business promises to become one of the largest dry goods, cleaning supplies & coats store of Louisville."
Louisville, Kentucky Directory, 1887
Surname Given Name MI C Occupation Address
DeWitt George M driver
DeWitt John grocer
DeWitt John H
DeWitt Lafayette dry goods
DeWitt Millie c
DeWitt Robert clerk
DeWitt Sallie clerk
DeWitt William E millinery
Johnson DeWitt C collector 1967 Portland av
DeWitt family church - Broadway Christian Church, Louisville, KY
( so. side of B'way between Floyd and Preston)
Early address of DeWitt family in Louisville, KY - 1019 Fourth St.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Tue, Jan 5, 1897, Page 6
Had a Horse, But Had to Walk
Mr. Lafayette DeWitt, the real estate agent, drove out on Chestnut street, between Preston and Jackson, yesterday afternoon to look at some property. He left his team tied to a post, and when he returned found that the lines had been taken from the harness. He was compelled to lead the team to his home, similar cases have been reported to the police, but the names of the thieves can not be learned.
Letterhead of stationary used July 10th 1901 - (See letter under Olive May)
L. DeWitt, President John Henry DeWitt, Vice-President Clarence D. DeWitt, Secretary Mrs. L. Dewitt, Treasurer.
Office of L. DeWitt & Sons
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Dry Goods, Millinery, Notions, Cloaks and Suits,
Ladies' and Gents' Furnishing Goods,
426, 428 and 430 East Market St.,
Louisville, Ky., _____________190
______________________________
Lafe's business became insolvent in 1904 and was sued by creditors.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Wed, Jan 20, 1904, Page 5
INSTITUTE
Bankruptcy Proceedings Against L. DeWitt & Sons.
EIGHT CREDITORS FILE SUIT.
DRY GOODS FIRM ALLEGED TO BE INSOLVENT.
DENIAL OF FRAUD CHARGE.
Creditors of L. DeWitt & Sons yesterday filed two petitions seeking to force the firm into bankruptcy. The complainants allege that the firm is insolvent and that within the past four months attempts have been made to transfer the assets to certain creditors for the purpose of defrauding the petitioners.
The first petition was filed by James R. Duffin, the attorney, on behalf of five creditors to whom L. DeWitt & Sons owe the following amounts:
J. M. Robinson, Norton & Co. ........................................ $1,321 65
David Baird & Sons................................................................ 1,843 19
The American Skirt Manufacturing Company................ 136 46
Carter & Holmes........................................................................ 78 37
Royal Worcester Corset Company...................................... 115 00
The second petition was file by Alfred Sellingman on behalf of the following creditors:
A. Kraner & Co........................................................................... $172 00
Cuno, Perlmuter & Co .......................................................... 216 50
Morris-Newman Company (two notes), aggregating ... 279 24
The petitions are similar in character and allege that the firm of L. DeWitt & Co., doing a general dry goods business, is insolvent and had committed several acts of bankruptcy. The first petition charges that on or about November 5, the firm being insolvent at that time, $500 was abstracted from the cash and turned over to Lafayette DeWitt for the purpose of hindering and delaying the creditors or some of them. It is also charged that within four months preceding the filing of the petition, the firm being insolvent, transferred a portion of its assets to certain creditors, and that certain creditors were permitted through legal proceedings to obtain preferences over other creditors. The second petition charges that the transfer of a large part of the assets of the company was made for the purpose of defrauding certain creditors.
Deny Allegation.
L. DeWitt & Sons is composed of Lafayette DeWitt, John H. DeWitt, Clarence D. DeWitt and Mary J. DeWitt. The firm was in business for several years on Market street and recently moved to 521 Fourth avenue. For some time past the affairs of the house have been involved and business has been carried on under the direction of a committee of the creditors. It was finally determined that the best method was to close up the case in bankruptcy, and it is probable that a voluntary petition will be filed by the firm.
Lafayette DeWitt, the head of the firm, said yesterday that he is willing to face the charges and denied that there had been any fraud. "Everyone that knows me," he said, "knows that I would not be guilty of any fraud. My books are open now and have always been open to my creditors, and I have never been involved in a single transaction that was not thoroughly honest."
Morris Sachs, who had been retained by Mr. DeWitt, said that the allegation of fraud is purely formal and referred to certain alleged preferences. "Mr. DeWitt's course has been absolutely honorable," he said, "and he has not attempted to conceal the condition of his business from his creditors. It has not yet been decided whether or not the bankruptcy proceedings will be resisted, but it is not improbable that a voluntary petition will be filed and the business closed up under the direction of the court. The $500 alleged to have been taken out of the business was used by Mr. DeWitt to pay an outstanding account, and the transaction could not have been in the nature of fraud."
L. DeWitt & Sons went bankrupt in 1904. ("In Re Mueller, Trustee." American Bankruptcy Reports., vol. 14. 1906. pg 256-263.)
American Bankruptcy Reports Annotated: Reporting the Bankruptcy Decisions and Opinions in the United States of the Federal Courts, State Courts, and Referees in Bankruptcy. United States, M. Bender, 1906.
.. an involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed against the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons, composed of Lafayette DeWitt, Clarence DeWitt, J. H. DeWitt and Mary A. DeWitt, and that the firm and individuals composing it were adjudged bankrupts.
Mary A. DeWitt is the wife of Lafayette DeWitt. Mary A. DeWitt has an individual estate which estate passed to and is in the possession of her trustee in bankruptcy, who is also trustee for the bankrupt firm of which she is a member.
The estate of the bankrupt firm is insufficient to pay the firm debts. But the petition avers that the estate of Mary A. DeWitt is sufficient "to pay all the claims proved against it" if the claim of the German Insurance Bank be excluded.
The petition then avers that the said German Insurance Bank was the holder of five promissory notes signed by the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons and by Mary A. DeWitt and one Wilhelmina Rueve.
That the said bank filed and proved their claims against the estate of L. DeWitt & Sons and received a small dividend thereon. That afterwards the said band filed a proof of claim against the individual estate of Mary A. DeWitt based upon the same indebtedness.
This proof of debt alleged that the said Mary A. DeWitt by her individual signature upon said notes had become individually liable for the said indebtedness.
The said proof of claim is made an exhibit to the petition for review and in said proof it is among other things alleged, "that the said Mary A. DeWitt the person against whom a petition for adjudication of bankruptcy has been filed, was at and before the filing of said petition, and still is, justly and truly indebted to said corporation in the sum of $5,425.00; that the consideration of said debt is a follows:
"1. A promissory note dated September 23, 1903, executed and delivered by said Mary A. DeWitt, bankrupt, to said creditor, by which she, the firm of L. DeWitt & Sons, also bankrupts, and on Wilhelmina Rueve, jointly and severally promised and agreed to pay, etc."
Then follows a like allegation in regard to four other notes signed by the firm and by said Mary A. DeWitt and Wilhelmina Rueve.
..
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Sun, Jan 26, 1908, Page 13
Discharges in Bankruptcy.
The following discharges in bankruptcy were granted yesterday by Judge Walter Evans in the United States Court: Lafayette DeWitt, Moses D. Levy, Frank D. Johnston, of Louisville.
Leaving all this behind, the death of his wife, his business failure, Lafe and daughter Olive moved to Los Angeles California in September 1910.
Lafe lived at 1047 South Westlake Ave, Los Angeles, California during 1933.
Lafe's grandson Charles Dewitt Prouty, remembers that his grandfather would ride the trolley every week to his parents house for Sunday dinner. The neighborhood children would all come out and wait for him as he always gave them lifesavers when he passed by. He also wrote the following about his grandfather -
Grandpa by Charles Dewitt Prouty, 1946
Some twenty-three years ago I first met the old gentleman. I do not remember anything about this occasion. Probably he does not recall much about it himself, for by the time I arrived on the scene, meeting another addition to a newer generation was not such an unusual event in Grandpa's life, as he can count something like ten children of his own, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Lets not try to enumerate the grand nieces, nephews and such. However he did send me a nice birthday card on my twenty-third birthday, last September. But I believe that my mother did a little prompting on this occasion. Grandpa is now eighty-nine years old, you see.
He is a great stickler for anniversaries, special days, etc. For instance, on Father's Day he will mail a card to every man in his acquaintance who is a father. He never misses sending a birthday card to every relative or acquaintance when the occasion arises. Of late years he sometime gets his dates mixed, but he never fails to send a birthday greeting card. Sometime he forgets that he has sent a card and sends another. But he never misses sending a birthday card.
Of late, he has become rather early in the mailing out of seasonal greeting cards. I think he is sending out his Thanksgiving cards now and in about two weeks will start on the Christmas cards. But Grandpa does not have much to do except sit in his room and watch for the arrival of Life magazine and send out greeting cards.
Now that room of his, you should see it. It is on the second floor, large and well lighted, having a big bay window giving Grandpa some diversion in viewing the busy traffic of the Westlake section. In one corner near the window sits Grandpa's huge old fashioned roll top desk. It has dozens of small pigeon holed drawers. Grandpa is quite orderly and methodical and files everything carefully away in little string bound packets in the numerous pigeon holed drawers. When he tries to find something in this maze of drawers it is a days work. However, he is patient and persistent. Sometimes he finds it, though I do not believe he has yet found his sugar stamps.
Grandpa is somewhat an authority on genealogy, that is when it comes to our family. At least he has two walls of the room covered with family pictures. There are various sizes; snapshot enlargements, cabinet sizes and larger pictures, all neatly framed and securely hung by heavy braided picture wire from massive hooks. Each picture is further protected from a fall by one of Grandpa's inventions. This consists of a large button, any size or color, with a nail the right size to pass through a hole in the button. One of these devices is placed beneath the picture at each corner, the nail being firmly driven into the wall and preventing the picture from sliding downward while the button snug between the nail head and picture frame prevents the bottom of the picture from swinging outward from the wall. I believe this is a guard against earthquakes. Grandpa is a true believer in safety.
Occupying a prominent position on this old fashioned desk of Grandpa's is an old, yet well preserved, photograph. It is of that peculiar sepia tint much in vogue in the old days when photography was yet a new art. It is a picture of a young newly wedded couple. They are dressed in a what today would seem to be a real old fashioned style. Yet one can tell that the materials of the grooms suit and the brides elaborate wedding gown were of the best and the styles were what was then the latest thing. This slender young man, with clear cut features, whom I know was blue eyed, blond and tall is seated with his lovely young bride standing beside his chair, her hand gently caressing his shoulder. They seem to direct their gaze fearlessly, confidently, yes, even challengingly, happily into the misty distant future where now I stand and look back to them.
Mother says that when I was quite small I expressed my desire as to choice of a career as follows: "I want to carry grips and sell goods like grandpa." Grandpa knows merchandise of good quality as most of his life's work had been as department store owner and manufacturer's representative, handling textiles and ready-to-wear clothing. He has a generous heart and always wishes to do something for others. It is a great disappointment to him if I do not allow him to make me a gift of a handkerchief, necktie or pair of socks, when I visit him. This knowledge of values and qualities of other things is yet keen, as, for instance, when driving in the country, we pass by a well kept farm, he will say, "That's mighty good land there, mighty good land," his memory hearkening back may years to the days when he owned farms and horses in the Blue Grass country.
Grandpa is an art connoisseur when it comes to selecting greeting cards. He always uses good taste as to beauty and design and selects a card with an appropriate verse to the occasion and person for whom it is intended. But Grandpa has his faults, I might say his worst, in his habit of mutilating the cards. No matter how beautiful the card, or how lovely the verse or motto Grandpa always adds his own special finishing touch, writing in a bold hand across the face such messages as: "With love and very best wishes, your loving grandfather," or "To my very special friend with sincere wishes from," and completes his mutilation by adding the date and signing his name in full followed by his address using particular care in spelling out in big black letters the words Los Angeles California.
At least when I was young it appeared to me to be a mutilation of lovely greeting cards, but as Grandpa grows older I am going to miss receiving a beautiful card addressed in a sprawling shaky hand writing with a message in the same shaky hand across the face: "Special - with love and very best wishes to my grandson Charles DeWitt Prouty on his twenty-third birthday - from your loving Grandfather, Lafayette DeWitt, 1949 Elden Avenue Los Angles California."
Lafe's grandson was given his gold pocketwatch, an ornate hunter style engraved with a regal buck. The dial is in roman numerals and has a seconds dial. This pocket watch remains in the family today.
Events
| Birth | 11 Jan 1857 | Perry, Pike, Illinois, United States |  | ||
| Census | 1860 | Perry Township, Pike, Illinois, United States |  | | |
| Census | 1870 | 4th Ward, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Marriage | 29 Jan 1880 | Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States - Mary Augusta Hollenkamp | | | |
| Census (family) | Jul 1880 | 125 Lampton Street, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States - Mary Augusta Hollenkamp | | ||
| Census (family) | 1900 | 426 E Market Street, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States - Mary Augusta Hollenkamp | | | |
| Residence | 1904 - 1907 | 1218 4th Street, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States | | ||
| Census | 19 Apr 1910 | 1st Ward, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Census | 1920 | Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States | | | |
| Marriage | 14 Oct 1920 | Los Angeles, California, United States - Florence MacCallen | | | |
| Census | 11 Apr 1930 | Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States | | | |
| Census | 1940 | Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States | | ||
| Death | 11 Nov 1948 | Los Angeles, California, United States | | | |
| Burial | Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States | | |||
| Residence | 1049 So. Elden Ave., Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Augusta Hollenkamp (1859 - 1905) |
| Child | John Henry DeWitt (1880 - 1939) |
| Child | Clarence Douglas DeWitt (1882 - 1937) |
| Child | Olive May Augusta DeWitt (1884 - 1985) |
| Child | Minna Rosalie Charlotta "Minnie" DeWitt (1886 - 1970) |
| Child | Albert Arthur DeWitt (1886 - 1886) |
| Child | Grace Lillian DeWitt (1886 - 1886) |
| Child | Mary Jane "Jeanette" DeWitt (1888 - 1888) |
| Child | Adeline DeWitt (1892 - 1893) |
| Child | Lafayette Gilbert DeWitt Jr. (1893 - 1974) |
| Child | Nellie Adeline DeWitt (1895 - 1961) |
| Spouse | Florence MacCallen (1890 - ) |
| Father | John Henry DeWitt (1822 - 1892) |
| Mother | Mary Jane Hawkins (1828 - 1905) |
| Sibling | Jerome Waverly DeWitt (1845 - 1922) |
| Sibling | John Hardin DeWitt (1851 - 1921) |
| Sibling | Mary Belle DeWitt (1853 - 1884) |
| Sibling | William Chenoweth DeWitt (1859 - 1861) |
| Sibling | Sarah Parthena "Sallie" DeWitt (1862 - 1947) |
| Sibling | William Elliston DeWitt (1864 - 1933) |
| Sibling | Angelina Hawkins "Annie" DeWitt (1867 - 1949) |
| Sibling | Henry DeWitt (1870 - 1870) |
| Sibling | Louella DeWitt (1871 - 1961) |
| Sibling | Edward Andrus DeWitt (1874 - 1965) |
Notes
Census
Lafayette, 3 yrs old. See notes under father, John Henry Dewitt.Census
1870 Jefferson County KY 364, 4 W. LouisvilleDewitt, Layfayette, 12 yrs, at school
See notes under father, John Henry DeWitt.
Marriage
Lafayette DeWitt and Mary Augusta Hollenkampwere married by Rev. G.W. Yancey
Pastor of the Floyd and Chestnut Street Christian Church
Louisville Kentucky Thursday evening January 29th at 8.30. pm 1880
Census (family)
125 Lampton Str.L. Dewelt 23, KY KY KY, Salesman
Mary A. Dewelt 21, KY Hanover, Saxony
Right below Graffe & Hollenkamps, her grandfather and mother.
Census (family)
1900 Kentucky, Vol 35, ED 39, sheet 11, line 24.Jefferson Co., Mag Dist 6, Louisville,
E Market Street, 426 (house no.)
DeWitt, Lafayette, Head Jan 1857 43, married 21 yrs. Illinois, Indiana, KY, Merchant dry goods
Mary A. Wife Aug 1859 40 married 21 yrs., 10 children 6 living, KY, Ger., Ger,
John H. Son Oct 1880 19 KY, salesman dry goods
Clarence D. Son July 1882 17 KY, salesman dry goods
Olive M. Daughter July 1884 15 KY, at school
Minnie C Daughter Jan 1886 13 KY, at school
Lafayette Son Sept 1893 6 KY
Nellie Daughter Nov. 1895 4 KY
Ditzel, Delia Employee June 1864 35 Indiana
Residence
Caron's City Directory Street Listings for Old Louisville 1884-1921Street Block Year Bldg old new side src Name
4th 1100 1904 1218 1126 w d DeWitt, Lafayette
4th 1100 1905 1218 1126 w d DeWitt, Lafayette
4th 1100 1906 1218 1126 w d DeWitt, Lafayette
4th 1100 1907 1218 1126 w d DeWitt, Lafayette
Census
SD 5, ED 48, sheet 6, 2251 Kentucky, Jefferson Co., Precinct 15, Ward 1 (part of)Morton Street (between Baxter Ave and Christy Ave.)
1501? 113 visit:127
Dewitt, Lafayette Head M W 53, M 25, Illinois Indiana US, Merchant -Millinery Emporium
Olive Daughter F W 25, S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky
Lafayette, Jr Son M W 16, S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky
renting house.
Census
Los Angeles Co, Los Angeles, West 48th #1486Lafayette DeWitt, 63 years, widower. Born in Illinois, father - Indiana, mother - Kentucky. He was working as a Salesman in Ready to Wear.
He and his daughter Olive were renting rooms from Pearl E. Collins, a 39 year old widow and her two daughters Edith 12 and Marjorie M. 10.
Head Pearl E Collins F 39 Indiana
Daughter Edith V Collins F 12 Illinois
Daughter Marjorie M Collins F 10 Illinois
Roomer Lafayette De Witt M 63 Illinois
Roomer Olive De Witt F 35 Illinois
Marriage
Lafayette DeWitt, Los Angles, 63, white, widowed 2nd marriage, Illinois, Manufacturer Selling Agentfather: John Dewitt, IN, mother Mary Jane Hawkins, KY
Florence MacCallen, Washington DC, 30, white, single, 1st marriage, KY
father: James R Mac Callen KY, mother Miss Alice A Buckley KY
Census
Assembly District 63, block 105, ED 19-353, SD 17, sheet 11AClair Apartments, South Lake Street
1035, 157, 238,
Volbrecht, Laura C, Head, Rent $60, FW 46 Wd, OH OH OH, none
Dewitt , Lafayette, Roomer, MW, 72 Wd, IL IN KY, Sales Agent, Ladies Clothes
Sinclair, Fred F, Roomer, MW 43, single, NY France France, Chauffeur, private home
Gates, George F, Roomer, MW 21, single, PA PA PA, Laborer, odd jobs
Census
Head Delore J Miller F 61 ArkansasLodger Mildred Daniels F 24 New York
Lodger Marie B Magill F 72 Ohio
Lodger Lafeyett Dewitt M 83 Illinois widowed, 8th grade
Lodger Harriett Burton F 37 Florida
Lodger Helen M Serl F 19 Pennsylvania
Lodger E St John Crockett F 63 Illinois
Lodger Kathryn Johnson F 55 Iowa
Lodger Charlotte T Glascock F 51 Wisconsin
Lodger Joan Pope F 39 Wisconsin
Lodger Zelda F Payne F 35 Iowa
Lodger Pauline Caster F 52 Illinois
Lodger W Edward Denton M 47 Iowa
Lodger's wife Ethel I Denton F 41 Nebraska
Death
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angleles, California) Sat, Nov. 13, 1948, Page 8LaFayette DeWitt
Funeral Services for LaFayette DeWitt, 91, early day Los Angeles dry goods merchant who died Thursday, will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Edwards Bros. Colonial Mortuary. Interment will follow in Inglewood Park Cemetery. Mr. DeWitt resided at 1050 S. Bonnie Brae Ave. He leaves three daughters, Miss Nellie DeWitt, Mrs. Olive D. Prouty and Mrs. Charles L. Barker; a son, Lafe G. DeWitt, two sisters, a brother, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Tue, Nov 16, 1948, Page 15
LaFayette DeWitt
Funeral for LaFayette DeWitt, 91, native Kentuckian and former dry-good merchant here, was held yesterday in Los Angeles; Mrs. Olive D. Prouty and Mrs. Charles Barker; two brothers, A. E. DeWitt and Lafe G. DeWitt; two sisters, Mrs. Annie Hall and Mrs. Arch Burch; seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Endnotes
1. DeWitt family records written by Lafe DeWitt and Olive DeWitt, 1938 (Santa Rosa, CA: Family records held by Charles DeWitt Prouty.).
2. California Death Records, Rootsweb.com online [http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ca/death/search.cgi], accessed 2008-2012.
3. US Federal Census. Illinois, Pike Co. 1860 (read Mar 17, 2001 by Nancy Prouty).
4. Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/ Copyright © 1998-2000, MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.), index.
5. US Federal Census of Kentucky, Jefferson Co. Louisville, 4th Ward. 16th day of June 1870 (read by Nancy Prouty, March 17, 2001).
6. DeWitt family records written by Lafe DeWitt and Olive DeWitt, 1938 (Santa Rosa, CA: Family records held by Charles DeWitt Prouty.).
7. 2 newspaper clippings pasted in front of Bible given to Lafayette DeWitt on his 28th birthday by "Mrs. Augusta Hollenkamp My Dear Darling Mother-in-law" Jan. 11th 1885. Bible owned by Charles DeWitt Prouty. (New Testament and Psalms New York: American Bible Society c. 1884).
8. Soundex - 1900 Kentucky, D300 for DeWitt T1047 (read April 22 2003 Nancy Prouty).
9. US Federal Government, Federal census of Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky, 1910. E.D. 48 (read 6/2001 Nancy Prouty).
10. Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/ Copyright © 1998-2000, MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.), Kentucky 1910 Miracode Index.
11. Soundex - California 1920. (read July 14, 2001, Nancy Prouty Sonoma Co. Library Annex, Santa Rosa), D 300.
12. US Federal Census. 1920. California, Los Angeles Co. Los Angeles Township. City of Los Angeles, precinct 567..
13. "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 27 November 2013), Lafayette De Witt and Florence Mac Callen, 1920.
14. Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/ Copyright © 1998-2000, MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.), Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 146; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 353; Image: 306.0..
15. California Death Records, Rootsweb.com online [http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ca/death/search.cgi], accessed 2008-2012.
16. , "Inglewood Park Cemetery, Los Angeles Co., CA," database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 February 2012), .