Biographical Sketch of Donizetta Adalede Jones Wood Hewett

Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920

Biography of Donizetta Adalede Jones Wood Hewett, 1869-1960

By Mariana Torres, undergraduate student, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Donizetta "Doni" Adalede Jones was born in 1869 near Augusta, Illinois, to Joel and Louisa Jones. In 1896, she married James Wood, and the couple moved to Santa Fe by the 1900 census. In 1911, she married Edgar Lee Hewett, a widower. Edgar Hewett's first wife, Cora Whitford, had died in 1905. Edgar Hewett was a well-known anthropologist, and he promoted archeological study in the Southwest. Donizetta Hewett was described by one of Edgar Hewett's biographer's as "her husband's constant traveling companion and a gracious hostess." The couple had no children.

The Hewetts were well-respected members of the community. They attended society functions together, and Dr. Hewett often spoke on his area of expertise. Although, Edgar Hewett was a well-studied expert in archeology and anthropology, Donizetta Hewett was also an active member in that community. She served on the Ladies' Committee of the Archeological Society.

According to the History of Woman Suffrage, Donizetta Hewett advocated for women's suffrage in New Mexico. She was a member of the Santa Fe Fifteen Club, a group of society women invested in literature and intellectual discussion. She served as the club's delegate to a large women's meeting in Carbon City in 1917. The meeting was designed to bring together a variety of clubwomen to discuss issues such as industrial education, library expansions, and public welfare efforts. While suffrage was not specifically mentioned in the Santa Fe New Mexican article, many of the delegates attending, including Hewett, were suffragists. Like other New Mexican woman suffragists, the Hewetts were also involved with the Child Welfare Board.

In addition to suffrage and the literacy initiatives, Donizetta Hewett belonged to the Stephen Watt Kearney Chapter for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She served as the first vice president of the DAR's Santa Fe auxiliary of the state council defense, and she was appointed to represent her local chapter in the city auxiliary. Additionally, Hewett served as officer of the art and literature section of a local woman's club. She was key in the funding of the arts and literature courses at universities and the education system overall.

Donizetta Hewett outlived her husband, who died December 31, 1946. She died November 5, 1960, in Burbank, California. Her ashes were taken to Valhalla Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.

SOURCES:

Anderson, H. Allen. "Hewett, Edgar Lee." American National Biography Online. New York: Oxford University Press, February 2000. https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1400276.

"An Annual Dinner." Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N. Mex.). August 26, 1917, Society Section, pp.2-3. Newspapers.com.

"Child Welfare Board Formed." Deming Headlight (Deming, N. Mex.). June 27, 1919, p.1. Newspaperarchive.com.

"Daughters Revolution Would Serve in War." Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N. Mex.). June 7, 1917, City Edition, p.3. Newspapers.com.

"Fare and a Third Rate Given for Big Federation Meeting at Carbon City in October." Santa Fe New Mexican. September 15, 1917.

Chauvenet, Beatrice. Hewett and Friends: A Biography of Santa Fe's Vibrant Era. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1988.

Matlock, Staci. "Sunday Spotlight: Fifteen Club Celebrates 125 Years of Literary Endeavor." Santa Fe New Mexican. October 8, 2016, Digital ed. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/features/sunday-spotlight-fifteen-club-celebrates-years-of-literary-endeavor/article_0e4150f2-125e-5df1-b055-d266af4f7a58.html.

"Mrs. Hewett Dies at 92." Santa Fe New Mexican. November 10, 1960, p.3. Newspapers.com

"Santa Feans at San Diego." Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N. Mex.). November 15, 1914, Section 5, p.3. Newspapers.com.

"Society Notes." Santa Fe New Mexican. April 26, 1913, p.2.

"Tea for Foreigners." Santa Fe New Mexican. October 5, 1912, p.2.

United States Census 1870, 1880, s.v. "Donnie Jones, Augusta, Illinois." HeritageQuest.

United States Census 1900, s.v. "Donarela Wood, Santa Fe." HeritageQuest.

United States Census 1920, 1930, 1940, s.v. "Edgar L. Hewett." HeritageQuest.

Walter, Paul A.F. "Scanning—New Books." Santa Fe New Mexican. September 7, 1938, Home ed., p.2. Newspapers.com. (Review of Lydia Jones Trowbridge, Frances Willard of Evanston, 1938.)

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