LEWIS, Robert A. - 1914

LEWIS, NICHOLS, ALEXANDER, FIRMAN, MORGAN, GOLDIE, NELSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2009 at 04:31:42

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
By Thomas McCulla

ROBERT A. LEWIS.

Among those who by their labors greatly contributed to the development and growth of Cherokee county was the late Robert A. Lewis, builder and contractor, farmer and nurseryman and also the owner of the Lewis Hotel, at Cherokee, which is now owned by his widow. His death, which occurred on July 24. 1909, not only proved a severe loss to his immediate family but was the occasion of general mourning, as Mr. Lewis had many friends in this region and through his lifes labors had made valuable contribution toward bringing about the prosperous conditions which now prevail in this section. He was born in Concord, Erie county, New York, April 25, 1836, a son of Oran and Betsie (Nichols) Lewis, the former born in Vermont, May 11, 180.3, and the latter in the same year in New York state. The father was a millwright by trade and came west, locating in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1841. From there he made a removal to Independence, Iowa, in 1852, and after an active and successful career died at Quasqueton, this state, in Apri], 1884. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: Charles H., deceased; William, who has also passed away; Elizabeth, the widow of John Alexander, of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Harriet, deceased; Robert A.; and Volney and Mary, who are also deceased.

Robert A. Lewis was educated in the common schools of Rockton and Belvi dere, Illinois, and upon discontinuing his lessons learned the carpenters and joiners trade which he followed for several years. He also mastered the prin ciples of architecture. In 1863 he established himself in the mercantile business in Quasqueton and there remained for about nine years, or until 1872, coming to Cherokee in 1873. Here he started the Green Hill nursery a half mile south of Cherokee. He also gave his attention to bee culture, being one of the well known apiarists of the county. He was engaged along both lines for about twentyfive years and was most successful in his undertakings, retiring at the end of that time to Cherokee. Here he built the Lewis Hotel, which is still owned by his widow, and also erected a number of other buildings which are accounted among the best in the city. He also had charge of the building of several of the structures which form the State Hospital. He was one of the most highly honored and respected citizens of Cherokee, where he passed away on July 24, 1909, in his seventyfourth year, after a long, successful and useful career. His death was the occasion of general mourning and the community felt upon that occasion that it had lost one of its most valued citizens.

On May 12, 1859, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Firman, a daughter of Alva G. and Harriet (Morgan) Firman, of Quasqueton, Iowa. Both of the parents were natives of Lima, New York. The father was a Baptist minister and went to Quasqueton at an early day in the "history of this section of the state. He died on December 2, 1903, having survived his wife, who passed away September 30, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had three children: Llyllen, the wife of W. P. Goldie, of Cherokee, Iowa, by whom she had three children, Garland, Dale and Glenn who died in infancy; Carrie, whose death occurred on the 4th of January, 1911; and Myrtle E., the wife of K. J. Nelson, of this city, by whom she has three children, Roberta, Lovell and Cyril.

Mr. Lewis was a member of the Congregational church and in his political beliefs a republican. Although never an office seeker, he was always interested in the public welfare and could ever be found in the ranks of those who desire the progress of the community. His widow and family still make their home in this city, where they are highly respected and esteemed. They cherish his memory as their most precious inheritance.