LEWIS, Zachariah Taylor - 1890 Bio (1847-1903)

LEWIS, JACKSON, MINTER, TRAIL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/13/2007 at 22:13:21

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 332-333

Zachariah Taylor LEWIS, present Recorder of Jefferson County, Iowa, and a resident of Fairfield, is now serving his third term and sixth year in the above position. He is a native of Iowa, born in Van Buren County, October 9, 1847. He is second in order of birth of a family of twelve children born unto Owen and Margaret D. (JACKSON) LEWIS, who are numbered among the early settlers of Iowa. His father was born in Shelby County, Ind., December 9, 1821, and is a son of William LEWIS, who served in the War of 1812. The family immigrated to the West from New England, where the original ancestors had probably settled in a very early day. Owen LEWIS came to Iowa on the 20th of March, 1837. Margaret D. JACKSON was born in Randolph County, N. C., February 8, 1824, and came with her parents, David and Sarah JACKSON, to Iowa July 4, 1836. They first settled in Lee County, and a few years later removed to Jefferson County. Owen LEWIS, and Margaret D. JACKSON, were married in Jefferson County on the 28th of May 1844. They are still residents of this county, making their home in Liberty Township, and are numbered among the highly respected citizens of the community. Mr. LEWIS has lived the life of a quiet unassuming farmer, supporting the Republican party since its formation, but taking no special interest in politics.

The childhood and youth of our subject were spent in Liberty Township, in a manner similar to that in which all farmer lads pass their time. His primary education was acquired in the common schools of the neighborhood and supplemented by a course in the Academy of Birmingham. He then started out in life for himself and up to the time when he entered upon his official duties as County Recorder, was engaged in farming and teaching. In the autumn of 1884, his name was placed before the people as a candidate of the Republican party for the office of Recorder of Jefferson County, and being elected by a handsome majority he entered upon the discharge of his duties on the 1st of January, 1885. So ably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1886, and again in 1888, and is now serving his sixth year in the same position. His time and attention is devoted almost exclusively to the business connected with it and he has therefore proved a competent official.

In Black Hawk Township on December 1, 1886, Mr. LEWIS was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary J. MINTER, a native of this county, and a daughter of James Monroe and Hannah L. (TRAIL) MINTER.

David K. MINTER, the grandfather of Mrs. LEWIS, was born in Virginia in 1810, and when a child removed with his parents to Tennessee, and there grew to manhood. Having attained his majority, he went to Jacksonville, Ill., where he taught school for some years. He subsequently removed to Iowa, settling near Mt. Pleasant, where he was married in 1839. In 1842, he came to Jefferson County, locating in Penn Township, where his death occurred, December 9, 1888. James M. MINTER was born in Penn Towship in 1843. He served as a soldier during the late Civil War, in Company F, Eighth Iowa Infantry. In 1865, he wedded Miss Hannah L. TRAIL, who lived but a few years, and after her death removed to Nebraska where he still resides. Mrs. MINTER was born in 1846; her parents were natives of Maryland and settled in Washington County, Iowa, in 1858, and two years later located in Jefferson County.

The union of Mr. and Mrs LEWIS has been blessed with two children: Lila May, born May 1, 1888, and Charles M., born June 13, 1890. They have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Fairfield and Jefferson County, and well deserve the high regard in which they are held by all who know them.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.