Mills County, Iowa
History of Fremont and Mills County, 1901
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1901
Biographical Sketches
L

LEWIS, WINFIELD S.
        The profession of the law when clothed with its true dignity and purity and strength must rank first among the callings of men, for law rules the universe. The work of the legal profession is to formulate, to harmonize, to regulate, to adjust, to administer those rules and principles that underlie an permeate all government and society and control the various relations of men. As thus viewed there attaches to the legal profession a nobleness that cannot but be reflected in the life of the true lawyer, who, rising to the responsibilities of his profession and honest in the pursuit of his purpose, embraces the richness of learning, the profoundness of wisdom, the firmness of integrity and the purity of morals, together with the graces of modesty, courtesy and the general amenities of life. Of such a type Judge Winfield Scott Lewis is a representative. For sixteen years he has practiced law in Mills county, having throughout this period been a member of the Glenwood bar.
        The Judge is numbered among the native sons of this county, his birth having here occurred on the 8th of November, 1853. His father, Daniel J. Lewis, was a native of Kentucky, and married Harriet Holston, who was born in Virginia. They were farming people and came to Iowa during its territorial days, arriving here in 1844. They settled near Burlington at a place known as Flint Hill, and in August, 1850, came to Mills county, where they were among the honored pioneers. They cast in their lot with the early settlers, and the father undertook the task of transforming a tract of the wild prairie into a finely developed farm. He vigorously and successfully prosecuted his work, becoming one of the substantial citizens of the community. Their home was about eight miles east of Glenwood, and there they resided throughout their remaining days, the father dying at the advanced age of ninety-two years, while the mother passed away at the age of eighty-one. they had eight children, five of whom are now living.
        Amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Mills county Judge Lewis was reared, and in the work of the farm he assisted, performing his share in the labors of field and meadow. He attended the district schools until seventeen years of age and then entered Tabor College, where he was a student for two years. Subsequently he matriculated in the law department of Iowa College, among his classmates being several who have later attained fame in connection with jurisprudence. He was a member of the class of 1874 and immediately after his graduation he returned to his native county and began practice in Malvern, where he remained until 1890, when he came to Glenwood, the county seat. Here he has since enjoyed a distinctively representative clientage. He throws himself easily and naturally into the argument with marked self possession and deliberation. There is no straining after effect, but a precision and clearness in his statement, and acuteness and strength in his argument which exhibit a mind trained in the severest school of investigation and to which the closest reasoning has become habitual. He has a large practice and is retained as counsel or advocate on nearly every important case tried in the courts of his district.
        About the time he began practice Judge Lewis was united in marriage to one of his schoolmates of early days, Miss Mary L. Witt, who was born in Colorado, a daughter of Enoch Witt. Four children have been born unto them: Ulysses G., who is now managing his father's farm; Roy, Laura and Walter at home. The eldest son married Tillie Green and they have a son and daughter, Edwin M. and Wilma. The children have been provided with good educational privileges and theirs is a bright and happy family, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.
        The Judge has long been recognized as a leader in political circles and is a prominent Republican whose views carry weight in the councils of his party. From 1879 until 1881 he represented his district in the state legislature of Iowa and served as speaker pro tem. He was a valued member of the house, giving an earnest support to many worthy measures, and among those whose passage he secured and which have had far-reaching influence of a beneficial nature is the insurance law. In May 1894 he was appointed judge of the nine counties of this district and served until January, 1895, as the successor of H. E. Deemer, who resigned to take a place upon the supreme bench of the state. The decisions of Judge Lewis were models of judicial soundness, perspicuity and force, and won the approval of the members of the bar. He is one of the charter members of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, of Council Bluffs, and his wife is a member of the Baptist church. The life of the Judge has been one of unusual activity and has not been without its desirable results. By capable business management, indefatigable energy and perseverance he has won a handsome competence, and now enjoys an enviable reputation at the bar and in the field of politics.

LINVILLE, LEWIS G.
        Lewis G. Linville is one of the native sons of Mills county, his birth having occurred in Center township on the 11th of June, 1866, within half a mile of his present home. His grandfather James Linville, was a native of Tennessee and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Sarah Burris, a native of Tennessee, who died at the old homestead about five years ago. Her father was William Burris and her people were farmers. Mrs. Linville was a most lovable old lady, possessed of those characteristics which ever win the respect and admiration of the young.
        His father, George H. Linville, was born near Sparta, Tennessee, in 1818, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1854 he removed to Mills county, Iowa, where he secured a tract of wild land which he transformed into what is now known as the Linville homestead, and continued its cultivation and improvement until his death, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1900. He was a highly respected citizen, widely known for his sterling worth of character. Before coming to Iowa he had lived at different points in Missouri. Unto the parents of our subject were born the following children: Granville P., now a resident of Winona county, Iowa; Margaret Splawn, who is living in Silverdale, Kansas; Mrs. Esther A. Estes, whose home is near Glenwood; Mrs. Mary J. Dye, deceased; Mrs. Nancy C. Wright, who is also living near Glenwood; Mrs. Sallie Bohart, a resident of Chicago; and Mrs. Martha A. Kelly, whose home is in Macedonia, Iowa. Creditable portraits of the father and grandfather adorn the home of our subject. These men were of fine old southern stock and the pictures show them to have been people of strong character and marked individuality.
        ARMr. Linville, whose name introduces this record, has spent his entire life in the county of his nativity and received excellent educational privileges, attending the graded and high schools of Glenwood. He has given his energies to agricultural pursuits and is today operating a fine farm, whose well tilled fields yield to him a good return. All modern accessories and improvements are there found and the place indicates the careful supervision of he owner, who is known as a very practical yet very progressive agriculturist.
        Mr. Linville was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Tipton, who was born on a farm in Illinois and is a daughter of S. A. and Sarah A. Tipton, who came to Iowa about 1871. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linville have been born three interesting children, namely: Fannie Pearl, Willard St. Clair and George Lewis. It is the intention of the parents that good educational privileges shall fit them for life's practical duties. Mr. and Mrs. Linville attend the Christian church of Glenwood and their many excellent characteristics and sterling worth have won for them a large circle of warm friends in Mills county.
        In his political affiliations Mr. Linville is a Democrat and at the present time is holding the office of township trustee of Center township, to which, he was elected by a majority of twelve, although in the last presidential election the township went Republican by majority of fifty. This shows a gain of sixty-two for Mr. Linville, which is an excellent demonstration of his popularity and genuine worth as a citizen. His fellow townsmen have confidence in his ability, and to those who know him it is needless to say that no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.

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