Lewis, Abrah T.

LEWIS, NORCOTT, NORTHCOTE, SKILLENGER, STEPHENS

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/23/2006 at 12:44:37

LEWIS, ABRAH T.

Mr. Lewis and his excellent wife have won more than a local reputation in the field of photographic art, and are widely known both for their artistic work and rare business gifts. They came to Rock Rapids, April 25, 1901, and had leased for their work a fine and convenient structure, which they have since occupied under the name of the Lewis Art Studio. Mrs. Lewis who is an accomplished photographer and portrait artist, devotes herself to the work of the studio, while her husband gives his personal attention to scenic views, and has his time well occupied with out-door work. They have negatives of all the public buildings of this part of the country as well as many of the fine residences of Rock Rapids and vicinity. In their line of work they are easily ahead of all competitors, and may be well satisfied with their supremacy in a difficult field.

Mr. Lewis was born in Oneida county, New York, September 3, 1853, and when only two and a half years old was taken by his parents into Canada, where his home remained until 1873. That year he settled in Michigan, and entered upon the work of clearing a farm in the forest with enthusiasm. After he had put forty acres of land into shape for cultivation a great misfortune befell him in the destruction of his home by forest fire, September 5, 1881, in which his wife's grandmother perished, and her mother almost died. Appalled at this sad calamity, the Lewises sold out their Michigan property, and removed to the west. After spending a brief time in Canada, in 1885, he settled in Dakota, where he engaged as a photographer in Sioux Falls. This he conducted very successfully for some three years, and then disposing of it, removed to Madison, South Dakota, where he started a gallery, which was mainly operated by Mrs. Lewis, while he gave his attention to branch galleries at Brookings, Elkton and Arlington, South Dakota. For some five years they had their home at Madison, then resided in Huron two years, and in Clark two years.

Following this Mr. and Mrs. Lewis devoted some time to traveling in Iowa, visiting the larger towns and doing much work in their line.

Abram T. Lewis was married to Miss Sarah J. daughter of George and Amanda (Sybley) Norcott, August 25, 1873. Her father, George R. Norcott, who was born in New York, was a successful farmer and mechanic, and died at the advanced age of eighty-three. He was a son of William Norcott, also born in New York, and a grandson of Robert Northcote, a native of England.

This remote English ancestor became a sailor and commanded his own ship. He engaged in mercantile traffic between this country and the East Indies. During this time his men called him "Cap. Norcotte," which hung to him and family and on to the present generation.

He married and settled in America. The history and original name was left with his family and handed down to the present. Caught in a tremendous storm, the ship went down with all on board excepting one sailor who lived to tell the story of their death. Capt. Robert Northcote left a wife, two daughters and three sons. One daughter, Mrs. Skillenger, established her family on Staten Island with a royal land grant in the sixteenth century.

The Northcottes in England are a very old and aristocratic family, very wealthy and hold a high place in the old nobility. Col. Kneeland Norcott, uncle to Mrs. Lewis, was at the siege of Sebastopol, and there led his regiment to storm the Alma heights, which they took. His horse was shot beneath him, and his groom, but he pressed on, and was the first to plant the British flag on the enemy's outposts. In 1854 the Colonel was supposed to be killed in the East Indian war, as that was the last ever heard from him. John Sybley, the father of Amanda, noted above, was the second passenger on record who sailed around the world. He was one of the very early Australian pioneers of English descent.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had two children born to bless their union, Lillian, now married, and traveling through the United States with her husband; and George N., who is a photographer.

Mr. Lewis belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 9, at Sioux Falls, and has taken also the Encampment and Canton degrees in this order, with the reputation of being the best drilled swordsman of his camp. Mr. Lewis is also a member of Mystic Castle, No. 40. K.P., of Madison, South Dakota.

Nathan Lewis, father of Abram T., was born in New York, and lived to be seventy-seven years old. His father was also born in New York, and was the son of an Englishman, who settled in this country many years ago. Caroline (Stephens) Lewis, the mother of Abram T., and the daughter of Alexander Stephens, was born in Pennsylvania, and her ancestors came from both Holland and Germany.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are meeting with much success in their work in Rock Rapids, and their many friends will be glad to read of their honorable and useful career.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson