Lewis Lewis, 1844-1923

LEWIS, LEGERE, JONES, PHILLIPS, THOMAS, BENNETT

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/13/2012 at 15:15:49

PIONEER SETTLER IS KILLED BY GAS
LEWIS LEWIS, RESIDENT OF CLAY COUNTY 40 YEARS, ASPHYXIATED
HE AND WlfE FOUND DEAD

Bodies Discovered in Gas-Filled Bathroom in Wisconsin Home--Believed Accidental

Lewis Lewis, a resident of southern Clay county for forty years, and his second wife, whom he married after leaving this county were found dead a week ago Sunday in the bathroom of their home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,the cause of death being asphyxiation by gas escaping from a heater.

An Oshkosh newspaper received by Mrs. J. O. Legere of Spencer, a daughter of Mr. Lewis, says that "while the conditions surrounding the double death are unusual, there was nothing in them, in the opinion of the district attorney, to indicate that it was other than accidental, and after a review of all the circumstances, he decided an inquest was not necessary and none was ordered."

The death of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis was discovered by a neighbor sent to investigate by Mrs. Lewis' invalid sister, who was alarmed because Mrs. Lewis had not called, as was her Sunday morning custom, to take her sister's contribution to their church.

This neighbor, entering the Lewis home smelled gas, and traced it to the bathroom door and saw the body of Mrs. Lewis collapsed against the wall in a corner. She screamed for help, her husband came, and they notified the police.

They found the bathroom filled with gas. Both the occupants were dead, and appeared to have died an hour and half or two hours before.

Mr. Lewis was sitting on the floor with bis back against the wall and his feet and legs against the door. He was dressed in clean underwear and freshly shaved. His clean clothes were laid out in the dining room in readiness for him to dress for church.

Mrs. Lewis had taken clean underwear into the bathroom. It was the belief of those most closely understanding their condition of health that she found her husband overcome and was taken by one of the sinking spells to which she was subject and was unable to assist either him or herself. On one occasion, a year ago, when Mr. Lewis had a stroke of paralysis, Mrs. Lewis collapsed completely when mention was made of the possibility of its proving fatal.

A small gas heater near Mr. Lewis' body was burning feebly. Its supply hose was frayed and leaked gas badly at the point where it was attached to a pipe from the floor.

The Oshkosh newspaper says:
"While the first question that arose when the bodies were found was that of a double suicide, none of those most intimately associated or acquainted with the couple give it any credence.

"While both were of advanced years and not in the best of health they were active and were devout members of the First Baptist temple, Mr. Lewis having been a member of the board of deacons of that organization for a number of years.

"Mr. Lewis resided in Iowa for a number of years and was highly prosperous. After his wife died he returned to Oshkosh, and Miss Martha Bennett became his second wife. He did not engage in active business in this city but looked after his own and his wife's property.

"Mrs. Lewis was subject to an ailment which manifested itself in extreme drousiness at unexpected moments, with occasional spells of apparent unconsciousness.

"While Mr. Lewis sustained a stroke of paralysis about a year ago while on a visit to Iowa, he had made what appeared to be a good recovery and his health was considered to be pretty good.

"He was about 79 years of age. His wife was nearly 69."

Mr. Legere and John Lewis of Terril, a son of Mr. Lewis, went to Oshkosh upon receiving news of the deaths. Funeral services were held in Oshkosh, participated in by the G.A.R. post of that city, of which Mr. Lewis was a past commander, and by the W.R.C. John Lewis and Mr. Legere brought Mr. Lewis' body back to Linn Grove, and there, on last Saturday afternoon Rev. J.P. Thomas of Spencer conducted funeral services in the Baptist church, of which Mr. Lewis was once a member.

Burial was made in the Linn Grove cemetery by the side of his first wife.

Obituary

Lewis Lewis was born in Wales, March 6, 1844, the son of John and Margaret Lewis. He came to America with his parents when he was eight years old. They lived two years in New York state and then came west to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Lewis grew to manhood. In 1862 he answered his country's call, enlisted in the 21st Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the end of the Civil War.

In 1869 he came from Wisconsin to this county and located on a farm four miles north of Linn Grove, where he spent more than half of his life. Two years after coming to Clay county be went back to Oshkosh and was there married to Kate A. Jones, whom he brought to his Iowa home. To them were born five children, Mrs. J. O. Legere of Spencer, Mrs. George Phillips of Linn Grove, Mrs. Martha Thomas of Rossie, John Lewis of Terril and William Lewis of Rossie, all of whom survive. Mrs. Lewis died in 1907.

The first Baptist church organized in Clay county was in Mr. Lewis' log cabin near what was later known as the Pioneer Baptist church. He was a pillar in the church and served for many years as deacon and trustee.

He met courageously the hardships of pioneer life, and never lost sight of the religious welfare of his family and neighbors. By industry and economy he provided well for his old age and those depending on him. As a citizen he ranked among the best. He was ruggedly honest, prompt in meeting his obligations to his fellow men, a kind and helpful neighbor. He was a good man.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; February 21, 1923.