Biographical and Genealogical History of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton Counties, Ohio
page 406-407
THEODORE R. SEWELL, a police commissioner of Logansport, Indiana, and a
chief clerk of the master mechanic of the Pan Handle Railway Company, at this place,
has resided here since January, 1883. His history is that of a self-made man, and is of
interest in this connection.
Mr. SEWELL was born in Dorchester county, Maryland, February 7, 1855(?) and passed the
first twelve years of his life in the village of Vienna, that county. Then the death of
his widowed mother
left him without a home and he went to live with an uncle, a farmer, where however, he was
not
treated in the most kindly manner. So he ran away and drifted from place to place, earning
a
livelihood at whatever presented itself till he was seventeen. At this age he found
himself in the
city of Baltimore, and there he entered the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as
a
machinist apprentice, and while serving his time in this department he attended the night
school
of drawing and designing, completing the course by the time he reached his majority. At
twenty-
two he went into the service of the Northern Central Railroad Company, as draftsman, and
remained
with that corporation till 1882. At that time he severed his connection with railroading
and engaged
in the produce commission business in Baltimore, but in six months time tired of this and
in
January, 1883, accepted an offer of the Pan Handle Company to come to Logansport as their
draftsman and chief clerk in the shops, a position he has since filled with remarked
ability.
Mr. SEWELL's parents were GARRISON and MARTHA (TURNER) SEWELL. The SEWELLs
are of English origin and have long been residents of America, the arrival of the first
representatives
of the family in the New World dating about the time the CALVERTS landed here. GARRISON
SEWELL
was a native of Maryland and by occupation was a merchant tailor. The TURNERs, the
maternal
ancestors of our subject, have likewise been residents of this country for many
generations.
They were of the old slave-holding families and consequently sympathizers with the
succession
movement of the early (18)60's. On this account our subject's first impressions
political were
formed along the line taken by the great mass of slave-owners. He believed this to be the
Democratic party to be the most righteous political organization. Later, however, his
researches
through the records of the two great parties convinced him that his position was one
inherited
from a prejudiced ancestry rather than one taken as a result of conscientious
investigation
after the truth, and he deserted Democracy and espoused Republicanism. For this act he
was ostracized by his relatives for a time and he earned the frown of disapproval from
former
political associates.
Mr. SEWELL received his appointment to the position of police commissioner at the hands
of Governor Mount, for the short term, one year, and upon its expiration he was
re-appointed
for three years.
At Baltimore, Maryland, November 4, 1880, was consummated, the marriage of Mr. SEWELL
and Miss ISABEL STONE, daughter of RICHARD STONE. They have one child HARRIET.
Transcribed by
Diana Chapman Owen