Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 253

JOHN P. LEWIS, an early settler of this county, was born in Uniontown, Pa., May 11. 1818. and is a son of Thomas and Sarah ( Perry ) Lewis, the former a native of New Jersey, born Sept. 10, 1788, the latter born in Shepherdstown, Va., in 1799. Their marriage was celebrated at Uniontown, on the 18th of March, 1817, and to them were born nine cildren, eight of whom grew to maturity, but only two are now living: John P. of this sketch; Mary, born Dec. 17, 1819, wedded Thomas Shanabarger, and both are now deceased; Sarah, born April 6, 1822, is the wife of Robert Voorhies, of Hancock County, Iowa; Elizabeth, born March 19, 1824, married John Core, and died in Van Buren County, Iowa; William N., Feb, 28, 1826, died near Mt. Vernon, Ohio, about 1853; Harriet, born Aug. 19, 1828, married a Mr. Lytle, and her death occurred in Smithfield, Pa.; Benjamin, born Aug 1, 1830, died in Van Buren County, about the year 1853; Rebecca, born Aug 8, 1835, married John Chase, and after his death John Dettras, her own death occurring in 1888; Margaret, born Aug. 7, 1833, died in childhood.

The father of this family served in the War of 1812, and was on guard duty when Perry's fleet was being prepared. He was also with Gen. Harrison on the raid to Canada after Proctor. The death of Mrs. Lewis occurred Oct. 30, 1836, and he was again married, Mrs. Catherine Clawson becoming his wife. To them were born three children: Thomas N., born July 30, 1840, died in infancy; Samuel J., born Aug. 17, 1842, enlisted in the 5th Wisconsin Battery as bugler, and now resides in Los Angeles, Cal.; Martha E., born April 2, 1847, is the wife of S. J. Butler, of Warren, Ill. Mr. Lewis departed this life Dec. 21, 1849. Politically, he was an old-line Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay. For many years he served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a consistent member. As a citizen, he was loyal; as a neighbor, accommodating; as a husband and father, loving and kind; as a Christian, true and faithful.

Our subject was reared and educated in his native town, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age. In the fall of 1842 he went to Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, where he embarked in the tailoring business, which line he followed for many years, having previously learned the trade with his father, who was also a tailor. While at Mt. Vernon he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Mitchell, their uinion being celebrated on the 3d of January, 1847. The lady is a daughter of Jacob Mitchell, who was born in New Jersey, Sept. 21, 1790. Her father emigrated to Pennsylvania, and later to Knox County, Ohio, sometime in 1814, there living in what is known as block houses or forts-- buildings erected to protect the settlers' families from thr Indians, who were very troublesome at that date. Mr. Mitchell's wife wife was Lydia Bryant, who was born in New Jersey, June 18, 1797, and to them were born a family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, namely : Abigail, who married Luke Dunshe, and died in Iowa; Phoebe Ann married Thomas Murphy, who died in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where she is now living; Nathaniel, who resides in Latah, Spokane Co.,W. T.; James, a soldier of the late war, died in a hospital boat near Vicksburg; William died near Cincinnati; Samuel B. enlisted, and was killed at Chickamauga, Tenn.; John M., who enlisted in the 24th Iowa Infantry, serving as a flag bearer, was confined in Libby Prison, and is now a resident of Toledo, Tama Co., Iowa; Hannah died in infancy; Cyrus was a volunteer in an Ohio regiment; LaFayette enlisted, and died at Jefferson Barracks, Sept. 1, 1863, from disease contracted on account of exposure. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were both members of the Baptist Church. The husband died on the 6th of March, 1875, his wife surviving him until Dec. 9, 1884. when she too was called to her final rest. Fifty years of happy wedded life were passed by them, during which time they shared each other's joys and sorrows, griefs and happiness, which are the common portion of all.

In 1852 our subject, John P. Lewis, came to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was numbered among the leading merchant tailors for thirty-two years. By economy and good management, although beginning life in limited circumstances, he has secured a comfortable competence, and has a good home in the city. Politically, he is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and has been honored with several local offices of trust. By his union with Mary Mitchell nine children have been born : Charles P., born Jan. 15, 1848, is now a resident of Wyoming Territory; Frank, born July 31, 1849, was one of Muscatine's most promising young men. At the age of seventeen he entered the First National Bank of this place as bookkeeper, the following year was promoted to cashier, which position he held for sixteen years, when in 1885, he went to McPherson, Kan.., where he engaged in banking until his death, which took place Oct.4, 1888. Lydia E. died in childhood; Walter, born March 3, 1853, is a resident of Muscatine County; Anna B., born Feb. 13, 1855, is one of the successful teachers in the schools of Muscatine; Harvey W., died in infancy; Mary B., born July 10, 1860, is the wife of George Smalley Plumber(A researcher believes that Plumber is a typo in this book, should be George (Washington) Smalley, son of Abraham & Sisha (Nichols) Smalley), a prominent farmer of this county; Katie S., born Oct. 1, 1865, and Etta, born Oct. 3, 1867, are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have many warm friends in Muscatine, and are highly respected by all.


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