Joseph R. Lewis

LEWIS, PEARSON, SEGERSTROM, SWENSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/11/2010 at 04:28:17

JOSEPH R. LEWIS

A life of industry and thrift has made Joseph R. Lewis one of the substantial farmers of Winnebago county, his home being on section 18, Mount Valley township. He was born March 14, 1876, a son of Lars Pearson and Ellen B. (Pearson) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Coming to America in 1871, they established their home upon a farm in Winnebago county, Iowa, and throughout his remaining days the father gave his thoughtful and earnest attention to the development of his fields, winning a fair measure of success through his farm work. He passed away in 1910 and is still survived by his widow. They had a family of six children, five of whom are yet living.

At the usual age Joseph R. Lewis became a pupil in the public schools and therein mastered the branches of learning which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. From early boyhood he aided in the work of the fields through the summer months and as his age and strength increased he worked more and more in that connection. He has never sought to change his occupation, believing, as George Washington expressed it, that agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man. He saved his earnings until he was able to purchase one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he secured on section 18, Mount Valley township. In the intervening period he has given his attention to crop production and also to stock raising, and both branches of his business are proving profitable sources of income.

In 1903 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Mary Segerstrom, a native of Mitchell county, Iowa, and a daughter of Nels and Bengta (Swenson) Segerstrom, who were natives of Sweden and in the year, 1868 made the long voyage across the Atlantic to the new world. They first settled in Mitchell county, Iowa, and afterward established their home in Minnesota. In the year 1887 they became residents of Winnebago county, where the mother passed away, but the father is still living. They had a family of seven children, five of whom survive. Mrs. Lewis attended the high school of Forest City and for ten years she successfully Luella A., Lyle J., Russell M., Forest V. and Elsie Buetillie. The parents are members of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Lewis is serving as a steward. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he has never been ambitious to hold office. He is interested, however, in affairs of the community and is now serving as a school director. He lends his aid and cooperation to many movements for the general good and his influence is always on the side of progress.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 349-350.