Lake County Biographies

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DAVID MCCHEYNE NEWELL

    A man who has done much for Lake County in the way of publicity is David McCheyne Newell, born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 23, 1898, son of William Reed Newell and Mellicent Woodworth Newell. His is descended on his mother’s side from Robert Morris of Revolutionary fame. His maternal grandfather, James Woodworth, was descended from the Woodwards, the name being changed to Woodworth, in 1690. This name was originally Norse “Vida Vard”, and later “Boisgarde” , Norman. His father’s family is of Scotch-Irish blood, containing a long list of Presbyterian ministers; his grandfather, at one time pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Leesburg, is now living at the age of 93, and is the son of a minister who lived to the age of 96.
    Mr. Newell received his education at Kingsley School in New Jersey, and at Washington University at St. Louis, from which institution he enlisted in the United States Army in his junior year. In addition he has studied art at St. Louis School of Fine Arts, and also studied two years in New York under Arthur Woelfle.
    Locating in Leesburg in March, 1912, Mr. Newell has since called Florida his home, though away from the state much of the time. He is a well-known author and his drawings and stories have appeared in such publications as Life, Judge, College Humor, Blue Book, Country Gentleman, Field and Stream, Sport Life, Outing, Outdoor America, Outdoor Recreation, Boy’s Life, St. Nicholas, Adventure, Youth’s Companion, Child Life, Farm and Fireside, Water Motoring, etc. He has also had articles and feature stories published in the New York Herald-Tribune and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In many of his articles and stories, Mr. Newell has dealt with the desirability of Lake County as a sportsman’s mecca, creating a considerable amount of favorable publicity throughout the country. Although he has lived in six states and in Canada, and has hunted and fished in seventeen states and in Old Mexico, Mr. Newell has chosen Lake County as the ideal spot for him and his work. He is the author of “Cougars and Cowboys”, (Century Co.), and has several children’s books in preparation.
    During the World War Mr. Newell enlisted in Troop B, of the Missouri Cavalry, the day the United States entered the war. He later was transferred to the 5th Missouri Infantry, and then to officer’s training school at St. Louis and Camp Grant, Illinois.
    Mr. Newell has been employed by the United States Bureau of Biological Survey and assigned to the Northern Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The work consisted of exterminating mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, coyotes and cattle-killing bears. The primary idea of this trip in 1923 on Mr. Newell’s part was to gather book material and information on cowpunchers and Indians.
    Mr. Newell is a member of the Presbyterian Church and his fraternal affiliations are with the American Legion, the Author’s League of America, and the Author’s Guild.
    He was married May 28, 1921, to Frances Bosanquet, to which union three daughters were born: Betty Washington Newell (died July 9, 1926), Nancy Ayers Newell, born October 20, 1924, and Priscilla Bevan Newell, born November 16, 1928.

from: History of Lake County Florida, Wm. T. Kennedy, Editor-in-chief, History of Lake County Florida Part II, Biographical. Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Lake County, Florida p272-273

MARY HELENA NUTT

    One of the few women in the State of Florida to hold an important county office, Mary Helena Nutt was born at Grand Island, daughter of the late Robert Lee and Mary Anne Nutt. Her father was Tax Assessor of Lake County for thirty-three years, and was much admired for the excellence of his administration of office. His biography will be found elsewhere in this volume.
    After attending school at DeLand, and taking the business course at Stetson University, Miss Nutt entered the office of the County Tax Assessor and has been employed there continuously until the present time. After the death of her father she was appointed County Tax Assessor to fill his unexpired term, a recognition of her ability and thorough knowledge of the work.
    Miss Nutt is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Past Matron of the Eastern Star.

    from: History of Lake County Florida, Wm. T. Kennedy, Editor-in-chief, History of Lake County Florida Part II, Biographical. Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Lake County, Florida p273

ROBERT LEE NUTT

    Robert Lee Nutt was born in Griffin, Spaulding County, Georgia, November 4th, 1865, son of William C. and Charlotte Elizabeth Nutt. His father was a Civil War veteran, Captain of Co. A, 53rd Georgia Regiment and was a pioneer in Florida, having come to Orange County in the early days. In that County he served as Tax Assessor for thirteen years.
    Robert Lee Nutt received his education in the schools of Georgia. As a young man he came to Florida with his father and settled at Grand Island, which was then in Orange County. He farmed for a few years and in 1893 was elected to Tax Assessor of Lake County, which was then newly formed from parts of Orange and Sumter Counties. This office he held until his death of September 5th, 1927, a record of thirty-three years of uninterrupted public service. This honor for long service in Lake County public affairs he shared with H. H. Duncan and W. G. Long, both of whom had likewise held office uninterrupted for thirty-three years prior to their death.
    His administration of the office of County Tax Assessor was characterized by justice and fairness and an earnest endeavor to satisfy the many conflicting demands of taxpayers. The successful solution of these intricate problems for so many years is in itself a remarkable tribute to his business acumen and tactfulness.
    In addition to his public duties, Mr. Nutt had various important private interests, being an extensive real estate owner of the county and having large banking interests. He was Vice-President of the First State Bank of Eustis and also of the Bank of Tavares, as well as stockholder in two or three other banks in the county.
    He was a devout member of the Baptist Church of which he served as Deacon. He was a Mason, Shriner and K.of P., and was the first Master of Tavares Lodge No. 234, as well as having served the fraternity as District Deputy Grand Master.
    He was married June 16, 1888, at Orlando to Mary Annie Morse and to them were born five children, three of whom are living: Charles Lee, Helena, and Clara (Mrs. Lincoln Rees). from: History of Lake County Florida, Wm. T. Kennedy, Editor-in-chief, History of Lake County Florida Part II, Biographical. Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Lake County, Florida p273-274.

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