John Charles DeWitt
(By Dennis DeWitt)
John Charles DeWitt was born on 1st January 1892 in state of Selangor.
He held his first job at 17 years of age as a clerk at the Gali Rubber Estate in Raub, Pahang. At age 19, he worked as a Tapping Conductor in the Seafield Estate and later in the Haron Estate, in Klang. He had a sound knowledge of tapping and field works, he spoke Tamil fluently and was reliable in handling the Tamil labour force.
At age 22, he was employed as Signalman in grade II with the Federated Malay States Railways. His salary was $940 per annum. Subsequently he was a Technical Subordinate in the Signal & Telegraph Department still with the Federated Malay States Railways.
In May 1926, he was engaged as Supervisor of Southern Division in the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He was in Penang before he was transferred to Melaka. As Supervisor, he was held responsible for all shops from Seremban to Johor Bahru and reported to the Regional Office in Singapore. He even ran his own shop at 130, Bunga Raya Road in Melaka town. After 28 years of service he retired due to ill health.
John Charles DeWitt was married to Mary Olive Faith Richter in Gemas. She was born in Burma and as a child she followed her father to many places including China before finally coming to Melaka. She was the eldest of 3 sisters who all married and lived in Malaysia.
Mr. John Charles DeWitt died on 26th September 1976 in Melaka at the age of 84 years. His body is interred at Bukit Serendit Christian Cemetary, Melaka.
