Charles Wm. Lewis (1852-1928)

LEWIS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 23:05:22

Charles Wm. Lewis
(November 4, 1852 – May 12, 1928)

Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in the business circles of the community with which he is connected. Mr. Lewis, through such means,
has attained a leading place among the representative men of Calhoun County, and his well spent and honorable life commands the respect of all who know him.
Mr. Lewis was born in Boonesboro, Washington County, Maryland, November 4, 1852, a son of Charles and Mary (Lynch) Lewis, the former of whom was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, August 13, 1822, the latter in Fredickstown, Maryland, November 20, 1820, His paternal grandfather, Washington Lewis, was a native of Wales and an early settler of Loudon County, Virginia, where he followed farming until called to his final rest in 1869. Our subject’s maternal grandfather, John Lynch, served for eight years in the Revolutionary war and made his home in Frederick County, Maryland, where he died in 1834. Charles Lewis, the father of our subject, made his home in his native county until 1850, but since that time has been a resident of Washington County, Maryland. He is an industrious and energetic man and has made farming his life occupation. His estimable wife passed away in 1891, at the age of seventy-one years. Of the nine children born to them one died in infancy, and four others are also deceased. Those living are Mrs. Barbara Cooper, of Union Township, Calhoun County, Iowa; John W., of Texas; Mrs. Laura Early, of Washington County, Maryland: and Charles W., of this review. In the county of his nativity Charles W. Lewis grew to manhood and is indebted to its public schools for his educational privileges. On leaving home in 1871 he went to Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for fourteen years. In the meantime he removed to Will County, Illinois, in 1875, and the following year took up his residence in Livingston County, that state, where he spent sixteen years. He discontinued work at his trade in 1885, and on the 25th of March, of that year, he commenced farming on rented land. In 1890 he bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold the following year, and in the spring of 1892 came to Calhoun County, Iowa, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres near Lohrville. There he made his home until 1901, when he disposed of that place and bought the farm where he resided until his removal to Lohrville. He recently sold the latter place, together with a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he owned in Logan Township, this county, and has purchased a whole section in Calhoun Township. Besides this property he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Kossuth County, Iowa, and a like amount in Canadian County, Oklahoma.
Mr. Lewis was married September 5, 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Herbert, who was torn in Canada, July 12, 1850; and is a daughter of James H. and Esther (Wilson) Herbert. In early life her father followed the shoemaker's trade, but was later engaged in the bakery business for a number of years. He died on the 3d of August, 1893, but his wife survived him until March 1, 1902. They were the parents of thirteen children, but only two are now living: Mrs. Kate Carlton, of Livingston County, Illinois, and Anna, wife of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born four children, but Howard H. died at the age of fourteen months and Frank died in infancy. The others are Warren H., who was born February 23, 1881 and is now preparing for the legal profession in the Iowa University; and Clarence Earl, who was born October 20. 1884, and is following farming in Oklahoma. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is connected with the Yeoman Lodge. By his ballot he supports the Republican party and its principles, but takes no active part in politics aside from voting, preferring to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. For several years he has made a specialty of horse breeding and dealing, and at the present time has sixty-three fine Norman (Percheron) horses. He also feeds cattle quite extensively, and now has five hundred head upon his different farms, mostly of Hereford, Durham and polled Angus breeds. When he commenced farming in 1885 he had but five hundred dollars, but through the combined efforts of himself and wife has become one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of his community. Industry, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and have enabled him to attain an enviable position in business circles. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.580]