LEWIS, George Washington

LEWIS, WIATTLEWIS, WIATT

Posted By: Jeffrey L Wiatt (email)
Date: 4/8/2006 at 13:58:34

The Malvern Leader 27 March 1902

George Washington Lewis was born in the city of Quincy in the state of Illinois on the 24th day of October, A. D. 1834. He died at his house in Ingraham Township, Mills County, Iowa, March 22nd, 1902, ages 67 years, 4 months and 28 days. His parents moving from the state of his birth, while he was yet an infant, coming to Iowa years before it was admitted into the union of States; they locating in Des Moines county. There they continued to reside until coming to this county, and settling on the old home farm August 7th, A. D. 1851, the young man having driven an ox team drawing what was then known as a "Linch Pin" wagon, the entire distance across the state.

Soon after reaching his majority almost single handed and alone; he cut and hewed the logs and erected for himself a log cabin, on the old homeplace, near where his parents then resided. Soon after the completion of the task, and on Nov. 30th, 1856, he was united in marriage to Mariah Wiatt, a neighbor girl, whose parents were also pioneers, coming to this county a few years later, and settled on a farm near by. Not content with his surroundings as was characteristic of his life, he early sought to better his condition, tore the old log cabin down, and removed the same to the prairie, there erected it once more, and then and there began the task of opening up, what finally culminated in the beautiful farm and home that he has left as a monument of his energy, pluck and enterprise. It was here at his home where the greater part of his life was spent, and here it was where the character and life of this husband, father and brother shone at its best. For fifty years, seven months and fifteen days he continued to reside in this community, and has lived no where else excepting in the two townships, and the only change in this was in merely moving across the public highway.

There are five children, three sons and two daughters, surviving, one son and the loving wife and mother having preceded him to the land beyond.

He acquired only a common school education.

About thirty years ago he was converted and united with the church, where for many years he was a devoted and active worker in the cause of the master. His motto being "In Him will I trust."
During the later years of his life he was sorely aflicted, yet during the whole time he was patient and often displaying traits of his goodness of heart in trying to make those around and about him more comfortable.
He was a great sufferer in his last illness. Kind and loving hands done all that could be done for him, surrounded by two of his children, two brothers, kind friends and neighbors he peacefully, quietly and without a struggle passed away.

It is written, "Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."
"Let us believe that in the silence of the receding world he heard the great waves breaking on a farther shore, and felt already upon his wasted brow the breath of the eternal morning."