Lewis, Elizabeth 1868-1916

LEWIS, JENKINS, BARNES, WESCO, BUSWELL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/25/2012 at 09:44:53

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; July 14, 1916

ELIZABETH JENKINS LEWIS

A sweet and helpful life reached its close on the morning of Wednesday, July 12, when Mrs. George W. Lewis passed away after a lingering illness of six months. Funeral services were held from the home at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. E.W. Cross conducted the services.

Elizabeth Jenkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Beth Jenkins, was born on Feb. 19, 1868, on the old Jenkins homestead, three and one half miles south of Grinnell. Until March of 1890 the family home remained on the farm, then the family moved to Grinnell. Elizabeth attended college and prepared herself for a teacher. She taught for a number of terms at the school house in the neighborhood of her father's old homestead. Later she taught in the schools of Chester and Sheridan.

When Dr. J.R. Lewis became postmaster of Grinnell she accepted a position as clerk in the postoffice and served faithfully there for fourteen years. Her uniform courtesy and quiet patience won her many friends and the nature of her position gave her a wide acquaintance.

She was married to George W. Lewis on Nov. 24, 1909. To this union was born one son, John, now five years old. The husband and son survive her. She was one of a family of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, while a third, Joseph L. Jenkins, died five years ago in the state of Washington. The surviving members of the family are Thomas B. Jenkins, a brother, Mrs. Mattie Barnes, Mrs. William Wesco, Mrs. Charles P. Buswell and Mrs. James Buswell, sisters and the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Beth Jenkins, all of Grinnell.

Mrs. Lewis was a member of the Congregational church. She was a woman of many Christian graces of mind and character, and will be missed wherever she has been known.