HENRY F. LEWIS

Henry F. Lewis has been a resident of Iowa township, Cedar county, Iowa, since March 17, 1857, on which date he first opened his eyes to the light of day, and in the meantime has been closely identified with the agricultural growth and development of this section, being well known as a successful and substantial farmer and stock-raiser. He is a son of Isaac W. and Jane E. (Pierce) Lewis, the former born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1834, and the latter near Baltimore, Maryland, February 14, 1835. The paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth Lewis, who came to Iowa from Maryland at an early day, the former entering one hundred and sixty acres on the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 8, Iowa township, upon which farm their remaining days were spent. Their family consisted of six children, as follows: John S. and Joseph, both deceased; Cynthia, the deceased wife of Joseph Henry; Isaac W., father of our subject; Clark, a resident of Missouri; and Lydia, who passed away in infancy. The maternal grandparents were Isaiah and Charlotte (Smith) Pierce, natives of Maryland, who left that state to come to Iowa about 1852. They both passed away in this state. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters.

Isaac W. Lewis was a lad of twelve years when, in 1846, he came with his parents to Iowa, and here he has since continued to make his home. In early life he was a farmer, continuing to actively engage in that occupation until 1886, when he removed to West Liberty, where he is now engaged in the stock business, with which he has been identified for many years. He is an extensive property owner, possessing two excellent farms in Iowa township. Unto him and his wife were born five children, of whom Henry F. of this review is the eldest. The others are: Joseph Earl, of California; Inez, the wife of Dr. Woodruff, of Cedar Rapids; and Lottie, who married J. H. Filson, also of Cedar Rapids. One child, Ernest, died when but seven years of age.

In the public schools Henry F. Lewis acquired a good education, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school, and on his father’s farm he acquired that broad general knowledge which comes only from a thorough course in the school of experience. Thus he was well equipped for the responsible and practical duties of life when, upon attaining his majority, he started out in the business world on his own account. Wisely choosing the occupation to which he had been reared, he entered upon farming as his life work and has never had occasion to regret his decision, for the success that has attended his efforts is an indication that early environment and training as well as natural inclination all fitted him for this field of endeavor. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 5, Iowa township, all highly cultivated, and the improvements upon the place, including a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. In addition to general farming he engages in stock-raising, and both branches of his business are so conducted as to return to him most gratifying annual remuneration.

In 1884 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Susie J. Leonard, who was born in Springdale township on the 21st of September, 1861. She is a daughter of John and Lydia (Dawson) Leonard, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. Leonard took up his abode in Ohio when a youth of seventeen years, and three years later came to Cedar county, Iowa, with his widowed mother, two sisters and an adopted sister and brother. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1906 at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow still survives and makes her home at West Branch. In their family were two sons and three daughters, but Mrs. Lewis and a sister, Ida Kingsbury, of Iowa township, are the only surviving members. By her marriage to Mr. Lewis the former became the mother of four children, namely: Lon E., of Omaha, Nebraska; Ruby Ida; Ernest Pierce and Henry Fletcher, Jr., both at home. Of this number the eldest daughter, Ruby Ida, graduated from the Springdale high school in 1905 and from the Cedar Falls Normal School with the class of 1909. Choosing teaching as a life work, she became assistant principal of the Stanwood high school in 1909, was elected to the same position at the West Branch high school in 1910, and in the latter year was democratic nominee for the office of county superintendent of schools. Previous to taking her course at the State Normal School she had taught for two years in the district schools of Iowa, and that she is well qualified for the work to which she is devoting her life and has given excellent satisfaction in that direction, is indicated by the high positions to which she has been called in the profession.

Early in life Mr. Lewis became interested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given support to the democratic party and has ever been a worker for the best interests of Cedar county. Having passed his entire life within the borders of this county, he is well known among his fellow citizens, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him the longest is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire and hold regard, esteem and good will.