Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 466-467.

JOHN S. KREWSON.

The gentleman whose name heads these paragraphs is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Ossian, Indiana, where he has lived nearly all his life and for a number of years has been actively identified with the varied interests of the community. His efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors in the face of any discouragements which may seem to arise. In all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact, and a biographical history of Wells County would not be complete without a record of his career.

John S. Krewson, who for almost twenty years has occupied the position of notary public, is well known in the community, not only by reason of his professional services and the part he has taken in social and industrial affairs, but also because of his many excellent personal qualities. He was born in Sarahsville, Noble county, Ohio, on the 4th of March, 1846. In his veins there flows both German and Irish blood, one of his grandparents having been a German who settled in New Jersey during the Revolutionary period, while the other was a native of Ireland. His parents, Simon and Margaret Krewson, with their three small children, Clarissa J., Thomas G. and John S., emigrated to Wells County, Indiana, in November, 1846, and settled in the woods on what was then called the Indian Reserve. A portion of this land still remains in the possession of the family and is known as the Krewson homestead. The mother with her small children spent the first two winters alone in their little cabin home, in the midst of the almost trackless forest, wild animals being their only visitors, while the father was employed at Fort Wayne, then a mere village. In the hope of bettering his condition he made two trips (1850 and 1853) to California, going each time by the way of New York, as the overland route was considered too dangerous because of Indians and the lack of means of conveyance. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and sacrificed his life on the altar of his country, as he died at Gallatin, Tennessee, in March, 1863, and was buried in the Southland. Shortly afterwards, however, his body was brought north and interred in Prospect cemetery, near his old home, where, on January 23, 1896, the wife and mother was laid to rest beside him. Upon his death she had nobly taken up the extra responsibility imposed upon her and bravely devoted her life and energies to the care and training of her children.

The subject of this sketch was in early youth surrounded by almost insurmountable difficulties, conditions that would have utterly discouraged one less determined than he. At the age of fifteen he was afflicted with white swelling, which left its effects upon him throughout life. At the age of twenty he had so far recovered as to be able to obtain a partial education. His preliminary education was obtained at the Ossian public schools after which he attended the Methodist Episcopal College at Fort Wayne and at Oberlin, Ohio. He was of a studious disposition and made such progress that he was granted a license to teach, which profession he followed for eleven terms in one district, thus demonstrating his peculiar fitness for this most exacting of callings. Subsequently going to Kansas he served in the capacity of deputy county recorder, after which he clerked for a time in a store. He then became the proprietor of a general store in Ossian, but in 1894 disposed of this business and purchased a stock of furniture. He later disposed of this, also, and retired to a small farm adjoining Ossian on the north, where he resides, enjoying the rest and quiet which is the reward of his former activity. Though comparatively retired from active commercial pursuits, Mr. Krewson's disposition will not allow of his remaining entirely impassive. He is engaged in notarial work, including special work in preparing and adjusting evidence in pension claims, acting in conjunction with Todd & Todd, of Bluffton. He is at the head of a collection agency, is a dealer in real estate, a speculator in commercial paper, executor and administrator of many estates, and newspaper correspondent. He raises poultry, fine stock, fruits, berries and vegetables, finding pleasure and profit in thus getting in close touch with dame nature.

Mr. Krewson was united in marriage, in November, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Roe, the daughter of Ezekiel Roe, of near Ossian. This union has been a congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of three children, Fern, a graduate of the Ossian high school and still remaining under the parental roof, and twin boys, dying in infancy. Mr. Krewson is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church and was secretary of the building committee when the new church and parsonage were erected. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, but at the same time possesses strong and well-grounded convictions in favor of prohibition. He is ready at all times to lend his aid to the support of any measure designed to advance the moral or material prosperity of his town or county, as well as to promote the welfare of mankind in general. As a business man he has been successful, the result of his prudence, foresight, industry, natural business sagacity and his unswerving integrity.