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John Dorse Pewitt

Birth	:	3 Oct 1903 Salem, Dent County, Missouri, USA
Death	:	5 Nov 1980 Laurel, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Laurel Cemetery, Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.6944008, -108.7692032
Description	:	Obituary of John Dorse Pewitt Dorse enjoy his fishing, hunting, & gardening. Dorse worked for Farmers Union Refinery from 1945-1968. Dorse’s family moved to Laurel, Montana in 1916. While going to high school Dorse worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Laurel. He then moved to the Alder area and lived there from 1933-1942. When he went to California and was employed at the shipyards in Richmond. He married Esther Riddell of Alder, Montana, a teacher in the Alder school system. Daughter of Evart & Gussie Riddell. The station agent and a mining operator. Dorse & Esther, when first... Read More	Obituary of John Dorse Pewitt Dorse enjoy his fishing, hunting, & gardening. Dorse worked for Farmers Union Refinery from 1945-1968. Dorse’s family moved to Laurel, Montana in 1916. While going to high school Dorse worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Laurel. He then moved to the Alder area and lived there from 1933-1942. When he went to California and was employed at the shipyards in Richmond. He married Esther Riddell of Alder, Montana, a teacher in the Alder school system. Daughter of Evart & Gussie Riddell. The station agent and a mining operator. Dorse & Esther, when first married lived in one of the cabins at the head of Alder Gulch and worked in the mines at the head of the Gulch and later leased and operated the Marietta mine. After the war they moved back to Laurel where he was a control room operator at Laurel Farmers Union Refinery until he retired. Dorse could always be called on for a helping hand. Notes written by John D. Pewitt Jr. John Dorse Pewitt was born in Salem, Missouri. He was the 6th of nine children born to Silas and Ida (Stephens) Pewitt. In 1916 the Pewitts sold their Missouri farm and relocated to Montana. They went to the Bitterroot Valley, Great Falls and Laurel area. In 1919 their father Silas died. Dorse and brother Hank dropped out of high school to get work to support the family. Two or three years later they returned to school and subsequently obtained their diplomas. Ida sold all but 8 acres of the farm that they had settled. John D. Pewitt was always called Dorse. He worked as a switchman-brakeman for the Northern Pacific Railroad until being laid off with the advent of the Great Depression. For a couple years he boxed in carnivals, fairs, circus and a sparing partner for the local pros. In Butte, Montana while looking for work he answered an ad for a hard rock dynamiter for a gold and silver mining company. He had limited experience with ditching powder and dynamite used for stump removal. The personnel guy told him the mine Superintendent personally hired all the “powder-monkeys” and he’d have to know how to drill receiving holes, cap, fuse and set charges underground in a mine. Dorse then went to the library and checked out a Dupont explosives manual and studied how to do this. He was hired on the night shift! He worked at the mine in Butte, Montana for about 3 years then moved to the Virginia City- Alder area and worked as an independent dynamiter mostly in the local mines-claims. He met and married Esther Winnifred Riddell while working at the Riddell Mining Co. He took any dynamiting jobs he could get including highway construction and was the dynamiter in the construction of Ruby dam outside of Alder, Montana. In1942 the family moved to San Francisco, California, then to Berkley. Dorse worked at the Richmond Shipyard. Became a supervisor and subsequently swing shift superintendent of damaged submarine repair at the Mare Island Navel Shipyard. Dorse hated living in the city. So, in 1946 they moved back to Montana despite Esther’s love of the Bay area. Dorse kept his certificate (license) and did occasional dynamiting jobs for the refinery or the city. Dorse was an avid reader. Reading at least 1 to 2 books a week. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved taking his son on such outings. He also loved baseball and boxing. He enjoyed dancing, Particularly square dancing. He loved animals and was an excellent trainer of bird dogs. Dorse never smoked, very seldom had a drink and to his son’s knowledge was afraid of absolutely nothing except the dentist. He was honest to a fault. When the speed limit was 55, he drove 55. According to his son he was “A really great dad.” Contributor: Lawrence Lough

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Dorse Pewitt's memorial?
John Dorse Pewitt's memorial is located at: Laurel Cemetery, Laurel, Yellowstone County, USA.
When did John Dorse Pewitt death?
John Dorse Pewitt death on 5 Nov 1980 in Laurel, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Dorse Pewitt's memorial?
Latitude: 45.6944008
Longitude: -108.7692032

Family Members:

Parent

Silas L Pewitt

(1875 - 1929)

Ida May Stephens Pewitt

(1876 - 1973)

Spouse

Esther Winnifred Riddell Pewitt

(1910 - 1981)

Siblings

Ormond Vernon Pewitt

(1899 - 1962)

Ina Mae Pewitt Potter

(1911 - 1999)

Joseph Howard “Joe” Pewitt

(1920 - 2015)

Flowers:

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