Notes for Newton Clyde Chew

Notes for Newton Clyde Chew

!US Census 1900 (2 June) Kansas, Dickinson Co., Banner Township, Roll T623_478, SD 5 ED 30, Sheet 2A, Page 40A, House No. 29-29, Lines 49-50: Newton C. Chew (b. Aug 1879 - 21 - OH - Occ: Railroader - Fa: OH and Mo: OH) married less than a year to Mabel J. (b. Nov 1876 - 23 - in IL - Fa: PA and Mo: IL) with no children.

!US Census 1910 (10 May) Oklahoma, Alfalfa Co., Cloud Township, Roll T624_1242 Part 1, SD 2 ED 6, Sheet 12A/12B, Page 318A/318B, House No. 256, Lines 48-50/51-55: Newton C. Chew (b. 1879 - 31 - in OH - Occ: Farmer - Fa: OH and Mo: OH) married 10 years to Mable (b. 1877 - 33 - in IL - Fa: PA and Mo: PA) having 6 children born and 6 still living. Children listed are: Lucile (dau b. 1901 - 9 - in KS); Kenneth C. (son b. 1903 - 7 - in OK); Fee (son b. 1905 - 5 - in OK); Mable (dau b. 1908 - 2 - in OK); Newton (son b. 1909 - 1 - in OK); and Isabel S. (dau b. Jan 1910 - 4/12 - in OK)

!US Census 1920 (13 January) Oklahoma, Woods Co., Alva City 3rd Ward, Roll T625_1480, SD 8 ED 203, Sheet 7A, Page 115A, House No. 829 Church St., Lines 8-17: Newton C. Chew (b. 1879 - 41 - in OH - Occ: Farmer - Fa: OH and Mo: OH) married to Mable (b. 1877 - 43 - in IL - Fa: PA and Mo: IL). Children listed are: Lucille (dau b. 1901 - 19 - in KS); Kenneth (son b. 1904 - 16 - in OK); Fee (son b. 1905 - 15 - in OK); Mabel (dau b. 1908 - 12 - in OK); Newton (son b. 1909 - 11 - in OK); Sadie (dau b. 1911 - 9 - in OK); Woodrow (son b. 1914 - 6 - in OK); and Vivian (dau b. Sept 1917 - 2 4/12 - in OK)

!US Census 1930 (19 April) Oklahoma, Woods Co., Alva City 3rd Ward, Roll T626_1927, SD 1 ED 76-3, Sheet 12A, Page 106A, House No. 282 College, Lines 14-31: N. C. Chew (b. 1879 - 51 - in OH - Occ: Farmer - Fa: OH and Mo: OH) married to Mabel (b. 1877 - 53 - in IL - Fa: PA and Mo: IL). Children listed (born in OK) are: Mabel (dau b. 1908 - 22 - Occ: Secretary School); Newton (son b. 1909 - 21 - Occ: Mechanic); Sadie (dau b. 1910 - 20 - Occ: Teacher); Woodrow (son b. 1913 - 17); Vivian (dau b. 1918 - 12); and Velma Eileen (dau b. 1921 - 9)

!"FIVE GENEALOGIES OF BOWDISH & BOWDITCH FAMILIES IN AMERICA" by Cyrus & Maryella Bowdish: When Newton and Mabel moved onto the farm/home located near Hope, Kansas most of it was still in grass. He "broke-out" the remaining areas of grass that were suitable for farming and row crops. In addition, he plowed for the first time, an adjoining quarter section of grassland. Since mechanized farming was not then developed, all of the farming was done with horse and mules. With Newton and the older sons performing the manual labor. The main cash crop was wheat, with cream, eggs and chickens producing additional revenue. A large garden was always planted. A four wheel wagon of approximately sixty bushel capacity was used to transport the wheat to the nearest grain elevator, pulled by a two horse team. It required most of one day to accomplish the round trip to and from town.
Water for domestic and farm use was always a problem. Rain water was collected and stored in a large underground cistern and used in the home. A windmill supplied water for the farm animals. This water was extremely mineralized and so was unsuitable for drinking and washing. In the fall of 1915, the Chew family moved to Alva, established a home, became members of the United Methodist Church and took an active part in the church, schools and community activities. Two households were maintained as Newton continue operating the farm and the children went to Alva High School. The first car was purchased, a Dodge Touring car, to facilitate the commuting to and from the farm.
About 1923 Newton sold the majority of horses and mules and bought a tractor and threshing machine. He did custom threshing in the Burlington-Capron communities, besides operating the farm. Around 1928-1929 combines became available for cutting and threshing the wheat. The Alva home was at 829 Church Street, it is no longer there and now its the location of the Town and Country Church. The family lived there until 1927, then moved near the college where Mable rented a large house and provided room and board to college students. She continue this operation until 1934. In 1935, with the majority of children through college, teaching, married or on their own, Newton decided to quit farming in Oklahoma.