The father was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, and removed to Pike county, Illinois, when about eighteen years od age. The mother's birth occurred in the Empire state, and she came with per parents to Pike county at an early day, when deer were frequently seen in large numbers, when wolves made the nights hideous with their howling, and when the Indians were still frequent visitors to this locality. John W. Lewis and Caroline Ward were married in this county, and with one exception their children were all born here. In 1846 they went to Texas, where they remained until March, 1847, and it was on their return journey that their youngest child, Abelleno D., was born in the Indian Territory. The other members of the family were: William H., of this review; Ardelia, the widow of Green Baston, and a resident of Oklahoma; Addison B., who resides in Macon City, Missouri; and Mary F., deceased. The youngest member of the family, Abelleno D., is now a resident of California. From the time of his arrival in Pike county in the early ‘20s, John W. Lewis was a farmer in Pleasant Vale township, securing a wild tract of land, which he transformed into richly cultivated fields, carefully conducting his farming interests in accordance with the most progressive methods of his day. In politics he was a democrat, and his first presidential ballot was cast for Andrew Jackson. For some time he served as constable in this county, and in all matters of citizenship he manifested a public spirit and devotion to the general good which was above question. His death occurred in this county when he was sixty-four years of age, while his wife passed away in 1855, at the age of thirty-six years. Her brother, Hiram, carried the mail from Quincy to Atlas when there was only one house on all that road. Mrs. Frances (Smith) Ward, the maternal grandmother of our subject, came to Pike county with the Ross family in 1817. She was born in Saratoga county, New York, in 1796, and died when ninety-six years of age. Her father came to this county in 1816. It will thus be seen that Mr. Lewis is descended from early and worthy pioneer residents of this part of the state, and the representatives of the family have taken an active and helpful part in the development of a frontier region. In the primitive log schoolhouse of early days William H. Lewis pursued his education, but his privileges in that direction were very meagre, as it was necessary that he provide for his own support from early youth. He was a lad of but twelve years when he began working out by the month as a farm hand. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a time, and then resumed agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm in 1883 and is now the owner of two hundred acres of very rich land, of which one hundred and forty acres are under cultivation. His home is pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile north of New Canton, and here he carries on general agricultural pursuits and stockraising. The farm is well improved with good buildings, is well fenced and is equipped with modern accessories, and the latest improved farm machinery. He is practical in all that he does and systematic in his work, and moreover, his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his life record. On the 14th of February, 1858, Mr.  Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Gard, who was born two miles southwest of Barry, February 28, 1842, her parents being Cyrenius and Nancy (Kidwell) Gard. Both were natives of Ohio, and at an early day they came to Pike county, settling in Barry township, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, owned and improved two hundred and forty acres of land, being recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his community. In his family were twelve children: Daniel, deceased; Charles, who is living in Pleasant Vale township; Mrs. Lewis; Jasper and Martha both deceased; Mary, a twin sister of Martha, and now a resident of New London, Missouri; Joel, who is living near Mexico, Missouri; Paulina, deceased; Paulina, the second of the name, now residing in Nebraska; Jane, who has passed away; Henry, living in Pleasant Vale township; and Nancy, who has departed this life. The father died June 24, 1875, and the mother's death occurred on the 28th of January, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have lost their only child, Alice, who was born March 8, 1860, and died in August, 1865. Mr. Lewis manifested his loyalty to his coun-