William Lewis was born in the village of Drumalbin, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Feb. 17, 1822. His parents were Thomas and Margaret (Cleland) Lewis. He attended school until he was fifteen years old, when he engaged as clerk in a hardware store in Lenark. He followed that occupation two years, then learned the carpenter's trade. He was married to Agnes Sloan on Jan. 14, 1848. She was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and was a daughter of David and Ellen (Johnston) Sloan. In May, 1849 Mr. and Mrs. Lewis came to America. They landed in New York, and from there went to Elgin, Kane County, Ill., where he followed the carpenter's trade until the spring of 1857, when he came to Iowa, and settled on a farm on section 19, Highland Township. He owns 160 acres in this township and ninety in Fayette County, all under fine cultivation except ten acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had twelve children, nine living--Thomas, who married Emma Doan; William C., an attorney at Elkader, married Effie J. Bachtell; James, engaged in the drug business in Canton, Dak. Ter.; John M., married Emma Luers, and is engaged in practicing medicine in Elkport; David, teaching school in this township; Hellen, Alfred, Margaret and Arthur. Mr. Lewis is one of the enterprising and energetic citizens of Clayton County, and has always been ready to assist in any movement to advance her interests. In politics he is independent. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 842-845 |