Lottie Althena Washburn Hewitt was the biological daughter of Gustavus M. Washburn (1842-1902) and his wife Phebe (or Phoebe) Bray (1845-1881). G. M. and Phebe married in 1860 and farmed in Alaiedon Township, Ingham County, Michigan. G. M. Washburn was well known for his ownership of fine Clydesdale horses. Several local newspaper articles, dated in the 1870's, refer to his highly regarded stock.

Five children were born into the Washburn family. Lottie was only 3 when her mother died. She along with her 4 older siblings were taken in by John and Charlotte (Bray) Hewitt. Charlotte Louise Hewitt was Lottie's aunt, sister to Lottie's deceased mother, Phebe. Lottie, probably due to being so young, assumed the surname Hewitt, even using that name on her marriage certificate and listing John and Charlotte Hewitt as her parents. Both of Lottie's sisters, Flora (born 1869) and Caroline (born 1875) continued to use the surname of Washburn as noted on their marriage certificates and also listed their parents as Gustavus and Phebe Bray Washburn.

Three of the Washburn children ended up living in California. Only Lottie's oldest sister Flora, who married a native Michigander, remained within the state. Lottie, who attended Okemos Union School through the school's 8th grade level, continued on with her education and graduated from Mason High School 25 June 1898. She was part of the 26th annual commencement exercise at Mason. The graduating class of 23, of which 19 were young ladies, assembled at Rayer Opera House in Mason. The class motto was "Past Toils are Pleasant." Lottie passed her teachers examination in October 1899 and received a 2nd grade certificate. She then taught school until her marriage, 19 March 1903, Okemos, Ingham County, to Irvin Amhurst Wilkins

Irvin was a farmer and lived on land pioneered by his family in the 1840's. It was here that Irvin brought his bride and together they grew their family. Sadly, a son, only 4 days old, died in 1906 but 5 other little Wilkin's children were born to play and work on the family farm.

Lottie's father, a Union Civil War veteran, remained in Michigan after wife Phebe's death in 1881. He went on to remarry twice more and have a least 2 more daughters. G. M. died in Saginaw in 1902 and was buried there.

Irvin Wilkins, born 31 October 1876, died 30 May 1958 at his farm home. Lottie survived him by 10 years. She passed away 26 October 1968 in a local area hospital. Lottie and Irvin were interred Leek Cemetery, Okemos.

Washburn, Gustavus (married Phebe Bray 1860) Clydesdale horses, The Lansing Weekly Republican, 18 June 1879 

Washburn, Gustavus (married Phebe Bray 1860) obit, Lansing State Journal, 19 September 1902 

Wilkins, Irvin (married Lottie Washburn Hewitt 1903) pioneer farm family, Lansing State Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1947

Wilkins, Irvin (married Lottie Washburn Hewitt 1903) part one of 2, Pigs, Lansing State Journal, 23 August 1949, Page 1

Wilkins, Irvin (married Lottie Washburn Hewitt 1903) part 2 of 2, Pigs, Lansing State Journal, 23 August 1949, Page 1

Wilkins, Irvin (married Lottie Washburn Hewitt 1903) obit, Lansing State Journal, 31 May 1958, Page 3

Hewitt, Lottie (married Irvin Wilkins 1903) obit, Lansing State Journal, Monday, October 28, 1968