My Family

Jemima LEWIS⁽¹⁴⁶⁾

John LEWIS was born in 1594 in Monmouthshire, England. "Kenmore and the Lewises" by Jane Taylor Duke He died on 21 Aug 1657 in Virginia. Granted 250 acres on Poropotank Creek in Gloucester County Va? for the transfer of five persons into the colony on July 1, 1653--John Lewis, Lidia Lewis, William Lewis, Edward Lewis and John Lewis, Jr.

Children were: William LEWIS, John LEWIS Jr.

John LEWIS Jr was born on 30 Nov 1699.⁽⁵⁸¹⁸⁾ He died on 14 Nov 1725 in Gloucester Co, Va. Parents: John LEWIS and Isabella.

Children were: Charles LEWIS, Robert LEWIS Colonel, John LEWIS Colonel III.

John LEWIS Colonel III was born in 1696. He died on 17 Jan 1754. Parents: John LEWIS Jr and Elizabeth WARNER.

He was married to Frances FIELDING in 1718. Children were: Warner LEWIS, John LEWIS , Charles LEWIS, Fielding LEWIS.

Children were: Robert CARTER, Elizabeth CARTER.

John LEWIS. Parents: John LEWIS Colonel III and Frances FIELDING.

John LEWIS. Parents: Fielding LEWIS and Catharine WASHINGTON.

John Edward LEWIS⁽¹³³³⁾. Parents: Howell LEWIS and Ellen Hackley POLLARD.

Johnsford L LEWIS (Private). Parents: Runsford LEWIS\LOUIS and Edna Blanche LEEBRICK.

Lawrence LEWIS was born on 4 Apr 1767 in Fredricksburg, Va.⁽²³⁰⁶⁾ He died on 20 Nov 1839.⁽⁵⁸¹⁹⁾ Parents: Fielding LEWIS and Betty WASHINGTON.

He was married to Eleanor Parke (Nellie) CUSTIS on 22 Feb 1799 in Mount Vernon, Va.

Lawrence LEWIS⁽¹³³³⁾ Parents: Howell LEWIS and Ellen Hackley POLLARD.

Lottie Edith LEWIS

She was married to Bernard Stanton DAVIS on 24 Dec 1913 in Eugene, Lane Co, Or. Children were: Barbara Jean DAVIS, Paul Lewis DAVIS, Ruth Ellen DAVIS, Bernadine Charlotte DAVIS, Margaret Elizabeth DAVIS, Oreta Janell DAVIS, Donald Arthur DAVIS, Harriet Iveda DAVIS.

Lynn M. LEWIS (Private). Parents: Robert Richard LEWIS and Beverly CAVANAUGH.

Mary Ball LEWIS⁽¹³³³⁾. Parents: Howell LEWIS and Ellen Hackley POLLARD.

Matilda Ann LEWIS was born on 7 Feb 1845 in Atchison county, Mo. She died in 1868.⁽¹¹²⁴⁾ Parents: William LEWIS and Susan (Susannah).

She was married to John WILLIAMS on 7 Feb 1859.⁽¹⁹²³⁾ Married by William A Long, Justice of the Peace. Children were: Willson W WILLIAMS.

Nellye Ethyl LEWIS was born on 21 Sep 1889 in Nebraska. She died on 5 Mar 1903 in Nebraska. Parents: Otis Clinton LEWIS and Harriet Eliza GORDON.

Otis Clinton LEWIS⁽⁵³⁵⁾⁽⁵⁸²⁰⁾⁽⁵⁸²¹⁾ was born on 16 Apr 1855 in Atchison county, Mo.⁽⁵⁸²²⁾ He appeared on the census on 8 Jul 1860 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸²³⁾ He appeared on the census on 18 Aug 1870 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸²⁴⁾ He appeared on the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸²⁵⁾ Laborer on the farm of John and Albert Allen. He appeared on the census in 1885 in Red Oak Twp, Montgomery Co, Ia.⁽⁵⁸²⁶⁾ Dwelling number 145, Family number 149, living on the SW quarter of the NW quarter of section 7, range 38, twp 72 in Red Oak Twp, Montgomery Co, Ia. He appeared on the census on 28 Apr 1910 in Deer Creek Twp, Wayne Co, NE.⁽⁵⁸²⁷⁾ He appeared on the census on 14 Jan 1920 in Wayne Co, Ne.⁽⁵⁸²⁸⁾ He died on 17 Nov 1923 in Wayne, Wayne co, Ne. Nebraska State Certificate of Death gives the cause of death as Labas? Pneumonia. The doctor had cared for him over since Nov 11. The contributory causes of death were listed as Prostatic and ???trophy of the bladder. It indicates he had surgery for the ailment in October 1923. Date of birth is confirmed as 16 April 1855 and age therefore being 68 years 7 months and 1 day. The informant was Otis's second wife Francis, who entered "don't know" to all the questions regarding Otis' parents. Place of burial is given as Greenwood Cemetery on 21 Nov 1923. He was buried on 21 Nov 1923 in Wayne, Wayne co, Ne. A picture of Otis Clinton (O. C.) Lewis is contained in "History of Wayne County Nebraska, Its Pioneers, Settlement, Growth and Development Together with a View of the Territory in 1938" by Dorothy Nuse Nyberg, page 233. His service as sheriff is listed in the following sequence: "1914, George T. Porter; 1918, O.C. Lewis; 1922, O.C. Lewis; 1923, A.E. Gildersleeve, appointed at the death of O.C. Lewis". Information provided on 4 Oct 1993 by LeRoy Janssen, Wayne County Sheriff.

A taped interview by Brenda Dollar Leebrick in December 1992 with Lucille Denny Leebrick uncovered the following additional information. Lucille went to kindergarten in Wayne, Nebr at the request of her grandfather, Otis Clinton Lewis. Remembers Mrs. Lewis (Harriett Gordon) as being a "a very quiet person". Another taped interview that month by Brenda with my dad confirms Otis' service as a sheriff.

The 1920 Census of Wayne County, Nebraska, Wayne city, Supervisor's District 93, Enumeration district 225, family #35, gives Otis' age as 63 and occupation as county sheriff. His wife's name is given as Francis, age as 50 and birthplace as Ohio. This person must be a second wife. This census shows that two teenage prisoners were living at their home.

His name does not appear in the 1900 Census in either Atchison county, Mo or Wayne county, Neb. It also does not appear in the 1910 Wayne county, Neb census.

The 1880 Census of Atchison County, Missouri, Buchanan township, page 388, family #4 shows that Otis and his young family was living with two brothers, John H. and Albert Allen who were farmers and stock raisers. Otis served as a hired hand (farm laborer) and his wife "Hattie" served as their housekeeper. At the time of this census, Otis and Hattie had two children, Etta age 3 and Araminta age 1. Hattie's birthplace is given as Ohio while the two children's birthplace is given as Iowa. This census further shows that two more farm laborers worked for the brothers, John H McKean and Albert Hamlin as well as a cook, Corrilla Ciroles (sp?) and her one year old daughter Florence. This Corrilla is probably one of Otis' sisters.

The 1870 Census of Atchison County, Missouri, Buchanan township, family #12, gives the names of Otis' six brothers and sisters as well as his parent's names. It also indicates that five farm laborers helped on their farm.

Otis is mentioned in his father's will as follows "I give and bequeath to my son Otis Lewis Twenty Two acres more or less of land lying west of Venables Mill which I own in Nemaha County in the State of Nebraska".

JeanAnn W. Carhart responded to a posting I made in the ROOTS-L Location list with the following information. First from the front page of "The Nebraska Democrat", published in Wayne, Wayne county, Nebraska (date unknown):
O.C. LEWIS, SHERIFF AND PIONEER OF COUNTY DIES. For a number of months past, Sheriff Lewis was in failing health, and for the past two months he was not able to attend the duties of his office, which had been unusually heavy, owing to inability of many to meet obligations as they came due; and to his ambition to give full service, is in measure the cause of his broken health. After he could no longer keep going, he went to Sioux City and under the care of a specialist, tried to stamp out disease and rebuild his wasted energies. The only hope lay in an operation; but he had not vitality sufficient to regain health, and was brought home six days before the end came, after it was known that all possible had been done.
Otis Clinton Lewis was born April 16, 1855 in Atkinson (sp) county, Misouri, where his boyhood days were spent. He died at his home in this city, Saturday, November 17, 1923 at the age of 68 years, 7 months and 1 day. He is survived by his wife, Francis Lewis, two daughters, Mrs. Etta May Jones of Gorman, South Dakota, and Mrs. Minta Leebrick of McDonald, Kansas; and one sister, Mrs. C. Leehan of San Leandro, California, and Master Wailan Jones, who has been given a home with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis since an infant.
The funeral services were held from the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, the Masons attending in a body and giving their ritual service at the Greenwood cemetery where he was placed in his family lot beside the body of the wife who passed away some six or seven years ago.
The funeral service was conducted by a former pastor, Rev. S.A. Drais, now of Wisner, a friend of the family, who was pastor of the Winside and Grace churches for four years when Mr. Lewis was a member of their church organization. A wealth of flowers from many sources attested the high esteem in which he was held by all.
Mr. Lewis moved to Wayne county in 1886 from near Afton, Iowa and has since been a citizen of the county, first owning and occupying a farm in Brenna precinct, and later selling it and buying a farm just east of Carroll. Fourteen years ago, he wold that land and moved to Wayne and has since made his home here. In additon to his church affiliations, he was a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows.
He served as sheriff of the county five years, having been elected for the second term at the last election. Among those from outside to attend the funeral were sheriffs from a number of adjoining counties.
Mrs. Lewis and the boy will soon leave for her former home in Ohio, where she has two brothers living, who need her services in the old home.
In the passing of O.C. Lewis this community sustains a great loss, for he was a good fellow, public spirited, and a willing helper in any and all enterprises that looked to the advancement of all good community uplift.

Also from Ms. Carhart, comes a note from "The Wayne Herald" of Thursday November 22, 1923 entitled "A. E. Gildersleeve is Appointed Co. Sheriff".
Named by Co. Board to Fill Vacancy Caused by Death of O.C. Lewis. At a special meeting of the county commissioners this morning, A. E. Gildersleeve, living south of town was appointed county sheriff to fill the vacancy caused by the death of O.C. Lewis.
The following citizens filed as applicants for the place: J.S. Liver..., W.C. Martin, Charles. A. ..., A. W. Stephens, P.G. James, Chas. E. Classon. A.E. Gildersleeve, Gen. T. Porter and A.A. Chance.

"The Wayne Republican" November 23, 1895 (Vol 2, No. 40) lists O.C. Lewis among those presenting bills before the Commissioners. Otis's bill was $78 for road work. In the Feb 5, 1896 issue of the same paper (Vol 2 No 51), Otis was appointed to overseer of District No. 19 and his bond was approved by the Commissioners. At the same meeting, Otis presented a bill for $29.50, which was paid. In the June 17, 1896 issue of the same paper (Vol 3, No. 18) District 19 was appropriated a budget of $70 for road repairs. O.C.Lewis is listed as overseer. In the same issue of the paper, it is reported that O.C. Lewis was elected a delegate from Winside precinct to the county convention. In the October 21, 1896 issue of the same paper (Vol 3, No. 36), O.C. Lewis was elected a judge in Brenna Precinct. In the November18, 1896 issue of the same paper (Vol 3, No. 40), O.C. Lewis was reimbursed $4.00 by the county commissioners for duties performed on the board of election. At the same meeting, O.C. was reimbursed $52.00 for road work. In the March 3, 1897 issue of the same paper (Vol 4, No. 3), Otis's name was among those drawn to serve as jurors in the April term of the court. These extracts are all contained in Maureen M. Lee's book "Wayne County, Nebraska Newspapr Abstracts 1876-1899" by Heritage Books.

Otis may have briefly attended Shenandoah College in Shenandoah, Iowa.

In his teens, Otis was one of the cowboys who drove cattle on the Chisholm Trail from Texas to Kansas City, the nearest railroad for shipment. In 1879 or 1880, they were living in Hamburg, Iowa on the Missouri River. Otis owned a team and wagon and was doing jobs like trucking. There was a huge flood that year, which flooded much of the town of Hamburg. Our family did not have a great deal of furniture for Father was always finding a better place to live or work. In 1880 or 1882, we were near Red Oak, Iowa, on a farm abour a mile out of town. While we lived there, Father broke wild ponies that were sold at the auction. In 1885 we went to Nebraska by team and a spring buggy, with a colt following. Father was the foreman of a big ranch and Mother cooked. We were living on this ranch when the blizzard of 1888 swept over the plains. In the morning, Father had taken a load of straw to the small town of Carroll, Nebraska, to use as beddeing in the stock cars they used to ship out cattle. He had to stay in the general store with others who were caught there. The next morning the sun was bright, the air clear, but the snow was drifting from ground wind. Father came home that morning with the team. He had left the wagon in town. In the spring of 1889 we moved to a farm seven or eight miles from the county seat of Wayne County which was the town of Wayne, Nebraska. Here we had neighbors and the school was near. At first, they lived in a sod house, but soon Father built a new house. There was a country church near there and a Methodist minister came out from the town of Carroll. Now we were going to school in earnest and we did try to get somewhere. Father had a sale and rented the foarm for two years. We were now living in Wayne Neb. Source - Etta Jones.
Parents: William LEWIS and Susan (Susannah).

He was married to Harriet Eliza GORDON on 30 Dec 1874 in Birmingham, Van Buren county, Ia. Ancestral File CD gives date as 30 Dec 1875. Children were: Etta Mae LEWIS, Araminta "Minta" LEWIS, (SON) LEWIS, Nellye Ethyl LEWIS.

Patricia Sue LEWIS (Private). Parents: Joseph Lewis BLIZNIAK and Geraldine Iris WILLIAMS.

She was married to Michael MACDONALD Grant after 1951. She was divorced from Michael MACDONALD Grant. Children were: Michael MACDONALD, Deborah MACDONALD, Scott MACDONALD, Dale MACDONALD, Christopher MACDONALD, Susan MACDONALD.

Robert LEWIS Colonel Parents: John LEWIS Jr and Elizabeth WARNER.

Robert LEWIS was born in 1769. He died on 17 Jan 1829 in Fredricksburg, Va. Parents: Fielding LEWIS and Betty WASHINGTON.

He was married to Judith Carter BROWNE in 1791.

Robert M LEWIS⁽⁵³⁵⁾⁽⁵⁸²⁹⁾ was born on 15 May 1852 in Mo.⁽⁵⁸³⁰⁾ LDS IGI Index, Missouri He appeared on the census on 8 Jul 1860 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo. He appeared on the census on 18 Aug 1870 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸³¹⁾ Eva Gayler located a marriage record for Robert Lewis and Mary Carmen, giving their marriage date as 20 March 1863, having been married by Thomas M. Rash, Justice of the Peace. Doesn't seem like an 11-year old would have been getting married yet....

Robert was mentioned in his father's will as follows "it is my will and desire that my son Robert M. Lewis share said home place with his mother during her lifetime." Parents: William LEWIS and Susan (Susannah).

Robert Pollard LEWIS Parents: Howell LEWIS and Ellen Hackley POLLARD.

Robert Richard LEWIS was born on 2 Dec 1928 in Detroit, MI. He died on 17 Jun 1994 in Samaritan Hosp, Troy, NY. He was buried on 21 Jun 1994 in St. Mary's Cem, Troy, New York. Parents: Joseph Lewis BLIZNIAK and Geraldine Iris WILLIAMS.

He was married to Beverly CAVANAUGH in May 1961 in Troy, Rensselaer Co, NY. Children were: Cheryl A. LEWIS, Jean LEWIS , Lynn M. LEWIS.

Ruth Joan LEWIS (Private). Parents: Joseph Lewis BLIZNIAK and Geraldine Iris WILLIAMS.

She was married to Gordon JONES about 1950. Children were: Terri Ann JONES, Karen Denise JONES, Laura Jean JONES.

Sandra Lea LEWIS (Private). Parents: Joseph Lewis BLIZNIAK and Geraldine Iris WILLIAMS.

She was married to Donald Steven BATES M.S. on 21 Aug 1965 in St. Pauls, Troy, New York. Children were: Cynthia Christine BATES, Donald Stephen BATES Steve, Matthew Kenwood BATES.

Verna Elizabeth LEWIS (Private). Parents: William Henry LEWIS and Jennie BATDORF.

She was married to Vernon Ray DAVIS on 20 Sep 1919 in Kerman, Ca. Children were: Iola Helen DAVIS, Elvin Keith DAVIS, Duane Leland DAVIS, Wilman Alfreda DAVIS, Ethel Lee DAVIS, Clifford V DAVIS.

Virginia LEWIS⁽¹³³³⁾ Parents: Howell LEWIS and Ellen Hackley POLLARD.

Virginia B LEWIS (Private). Parents: Runsford LEWIS\LOUIS and Edna Blanche LEEBRICK.

Warner LEWIS Parents: John LEWIS Colonel III and Frances FIELDING.

Warner LEWIS was born on 24 Jun 1755. He died in Dec 1756. Parents: Fielding LEWIS and Betty WASHINGTON.

William LEWIS⁽⁵⁸³²⁾⁽⁵⁸³³⁾⁽⁵⁸³⁴⁾ was born in 1815 in Delaware.⁽⁵⁸³⁵⁾⁽⁵⁸³⁶⁾ He appeared on the census on 8 Jul 1860 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸³⁷⁾ He appeared on the census on 18 Aug 1870 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸³⁸⁾ He died on 31 Oct 1874 in Atchison county, Mo.⁽⁵⁸³⁹⁾⁽⁵⁴⁰⁾⁽⁵³⁵⁾⁽⁵⁸⁴⁰⁾ The name of William Lewis appears in the July 16, 1881 issue of the Atchison County Journal, Rockport, Missouri as an entry in the fall term docket of the Probate Court. The "Administrator or Guardian" listed were A. B. Durfee and John Dopf. His death therefore was sometime before this. The FHC Ancestral CD file gives the date reported here.

DEATH OF WILLIAM LEWIS (Hamburg IA Times 1874)

"Last Saturday morning closed the earthly career of one of our most prominent men and, in many respects, the most noted character on the Missouri slope. We refer to William Lewis, who died at seven O'clock, October 31st, after an illness of several weeks; and although in looking back over his past life and recalling the amount of labor he has performed, the dangers he has encountered, and the hardships he has borne during three score years and ten, we are compelled to wonder that the end did not come more quickly, still the first brief announcement of his death cast a gloom over the entire community.
"Being one of the first white men who dared to invade this almost unexplored region, he has been closely identified with its interests during a third of a century, and his name is a familiar household word in half the families on the Missouri slope. His eventful career through all the varied phases of a pioneer life would seem more like fiction than reality, were it not for the thousands of acres which his hands have transformed from a trackless prairie into beautiful farms, which are the pride and glory of our western country, and will prove a lasting monument to his memory.
"Mr. Lewis was a peculiar man. Ignorant of every thing pertaining to books, his early education being confined to the rifle, axe and plow, yet, his natural good sense and sound judgment were more useful to him here, than would the diplomas from a half dozen colleges. Brave as the bravest, he was not the man to flee from any danger, and he was never known to ask a quarter from any living man. He would not allow himself to think for a moment that anyone could possibly whip him in a fight or swindle him in a bargain. Bur generous to a fault he never struck a fallen enemy, or rejoiced over the misfortunes which overtook any who had injured him.
"At the commencement of the war, when it was dangerous for any man to walk these streets until he had taken the oath of allegiance to the Confederate Government, Uncle Bill took a bold and decided stand for the old Union, and risked, not only his property, but his life in defense of those principles which he deemed right and just. Uncle Bill was genial and sociable, in his disposition, and even the terrible energy which he carried into every conflict was toned and softened down by his love for the humorous, which no anger could suppress, and no danger could obliterate. A story which was published in Harper's Magazine in 1863 illustrates Uncle Bill as he appeared when hailing a Missouri Steamer, which bore the stars and bars. His orders to 'round to', were ignored and it was only when Old Bill's stentorian voice ordered the boys behind the masked battery to 'blow the old shell out of the water,' said order being backed by the black and frowning muzzle of a twelve ponder, which poked its nose through the branches, that the valiant Captain gave the order to round to. Imagine his surprise when he found the battery to consist of a piece of rusty stovepipe mounted on two wheels, and 'manned' by a couple of ten year old boys.
"But he is now gone, and the record of his life shows what may be accomplished by a man unaided, except by his own industry, energy and manhood. Of him it may truthfully be said, that he died as he had lived, beloved by his friends and respected by his enemies".
His family appears in 1870 Atcheson county, Missouri census, Buchanan township, family #12. His age is given as 55, occupation as farmer, value of real estate as $24000 and personal property of $5000. His birthplace is listed as Delaware. In addition to seven children, five farm laborers are listed as living at his residence.

His family also appears in the 1860 census for the same location, but does not appear in the 1850 census or the 1880 census.

Atchison county, Missouri is in the extreme northwest corner of the state. This makes it easier to undertand how some of the children might be born in Iowa and how it could have been that Otis was able to meet Minta in Fremont county, Iowa.

Possibly helpful references:
"Back to Missouri" by Marilyn Moore 977.8 D2mm
"Early Times of Atchison County, Missouri" by Audrey Van Leuven 977.8113
Note: According to a letter dated 21 Jan 1994 from Phyllis Heath of the
"Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society, William and Susan are
not listed in this book.

--From Eva M Gayler, PO Box 25, Rockport, Mo 64482 comes copies of two pages from "History of Atchison County", pages 873-874. Those pages include the following comments: 'In 1850, came William Lewis from the State of Ohio. He settled in the neighborhood of Scramento City, near the Narrows, and during the war of the rebellion, was a noted character, engaging in acts of lawlessness to which reference will be found in the criminal record.'
The description of Sacramento City is as follows. 'It was, for the period and locality, a noted business center and an important steamboat landing. It, at one time, contained about a dozen houses. The Rev. J. F. Duncan, who laid out the town, was the first to sell goods in the place. Some time after, J. T. Davis, afterwards a prominent business man and banker of the city of Hamburg, Iowa, sold goods there. Mike Toulan kept the first saloon in the place. some time after Charles Zachariah sold whisky there. Sacramento City never had a blacksmith shop nor a post office. A large two story warehouse, which was built by Jacob McKissock, at El Paso Landing, was afterwards moved to Hamburg, Iowa. Sacramento afforded, for some time, a steamboat landing, both for Sidney Iowa and for Linden, Missouri.
The change in the channel of the Missouri put an end to the imnportance of both localities, and the laying out of the city of Hamburg by Augustus Borchers in 1857 completed their destruction as business points.
About 1872 the town of El Paso was vacated by act of the county court and the town site reverted to the farm owned by the widow of Major John Worlen, now Mrs. Pritchard. Sacramento about the same period was also vacated and all the buildings worth moving were taken to Hamburg.

Note that the date given in this account for the Lewis arrival in Mo does not square with the birthplaces of some of the Lewis children given in the 1860 Census, ie. Columbia Lewis could not have been both 16 years old and born in Missouri. The fact that there is no entry for William and Susan Lewis in the 1850 Mo census supports the book's assertion that the Lewises did not arrive in Atchison county until later in 1850.

Mrs Gayler also reports that William Lewis did have a will and it is archived at the Atchison county court house. She has no information about their burial places.

---From History of Atchison County, pages 1018-1020. This contains information about William Lewis' son-in-law, Captain Samuel A. Hunter.

Murder of Captain S. A. Hunter

Under head of "Another Murder,", the Atchison County Journal, of March 31, 1866, thus refers to the deed: "On Thursday last, the 22d, Captain S. A. Hunter, late of the Ninth Missouri Cavalry, was brutally murdered near the Missouri River, in Buchanan Township, by William R. Robertson. The immediate cause of this sad affair we learn from rumor, was a quarrel between the parties respecting the sale of some cord wood. Captain Hunter had purchased a lot of wood from Robertson, who afterwards sold the same to a boat passing up the river. Hunter went to see him, and an altercation was the result. Hunter started off as if going home. robertson thereupon used some abusive language, which caused Hunter to return. He took Robertson by the collar and gave him a shake. Robertson then drew his revolver and shot him. Hunter turned round and Robertson shot him a second time. Hunter died almost immediately. Robertson at once took to flight, and has not yet been captured, though pursuit has been kept up, and the friends are offering large rewards for his capture. Captain Hunter is well and favorable known in Northwest Missouir, and his loss in the community will be deeply felt. Robertson does not enjoy a very good reputation in the neighborhood in which he lived, which fact will go hard with him if taken.
This is the third murder that has been committed in this county since the commencement of the present year, and the fact that no one of the murderers has yet suffered the penalty of their crime, goes far towards making these affrays so numerous. Let the grand jury at once find bills against these parties, and one or all suffer as the law directs, and there will be less violence and bloodshed. In the days of the rebellion, even, such outrages in our community were not so common, and this, in a measure, results from the fact that honest and upright citizens have long since ceased to carry weapons of defense, those who retain them being mostly of a class that need watching."
The same journal in its issue of April 7, 1866, says: "From Sheriff Wyatt we learn that William Robertson, who murdered Captain Hunter on the 22d of March last, was arrested in Linn County, Missouri, a few days ago and taken to Iowa, where the officer who captured him will receive the reward offered for him, and that Sheriff Wyatt will start at once for him and take him to Oregon, Holt County, for confinement until his trial. Thus must another convict render an account of his inhuman acts. We hope that law and justice will attend to his case well, and if he be found guilty to make an example of him. It is high time that a stop should be put to this nefarious work, and it only remains with our civil courts to do this thing."
The Journal of the 14th of April of the same year contains the following account of another bold murder in the county: "Roberson Hung By A Mob. As we stated in our last issue, William Robertson was captured and on Friday last brought to this place in custody of Sheriff Wyatt. saturday morning he was taken to Buchanan Township for examination, as we learn, at his own request. 'Squire Cellers being absent from home and not returning till late in the day, the trial was not over until late in the afternoon. Robertson waived an examination and was committed. The sheriff and his posse were stopping at the house of Captain Woolsey, half a mile below the site of the old town of El Paso, and directly after dark the house was suddenly surrounded and entered by a band of armed men who took Robertson away and doubtless hung him, as he was found the next day hanging from a tree in the neighborhood.
The sheriff and his posse did all in their power to save their prisoner from his impending doom, but resistance was useless with a band of persons, perhaps one hundred armed and determined men, and it is fortunate that further bloodshed was not the result of these men taking the law into their own hands.
We regret that any portion of the people of Atchison County should so far lose confidence in the ability of the law to punish the guilty as to undertake its enforcement, in violation of law. And now that four lives have been lost and many others made unhappy for life, and society been disturbed and disorganized, we hope to see our officers renew their vigilance and show a determination that the guilty shall no go unwhipt of justice. To the bad management of the first murder (that of the murder of Johnson) may be traced the origin of this affair, or the origin of the facts which caused these men to think and act as they did."
The mob is believed to have been headed by the notorious Bill Lewis, a noted character in that day, and though endowed with some good traits of character, turbulent and overbearing in his demeanor. He was arrested, with others, on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Robertson. He managed as did others concerned in the outrage, to have his trial moved from place to place, at great cost to himself, until finally the matter was worn out, and he escaped justice.
Bill Lewis
Many stories are told of Bill Lewis as a practical joker. Many of these jokes, it appears, savored as much of malice as of fun. On one occasion, it is related that he offered the captain of a boat on which he happened to be traveling, ten dollars for the privilege of ringing the bell. This diversion he kept up, to the annoyance of the passengers, till the captain was glad to return to him the money and pay him, besides, a bonus to induce him to forgo his contract. In another of his drunken moods, he is said to have mounted the drum of a large stove on the fore wheels of a wagon, in the semblance of a cannon. With this planted on the river bank, at the Sacramento landing, he hailed and ordered a passing boat to round to and land--a command with which the captain of the craft, apprehensive of being blown out of the water, promptly complied, when he discovered, to his infinite disgust, the nature of the formidable fieldpiece, and recognized one of Bill Lewis' practical jokes.

Through the courtesy of Cathryn G. Lewis, Associate Circuit Deputy Clerk in the Circuit Court of Atchison county, Missouri, I obtained a copy of William's will. The text reads as follows:

I, William Lewis, of the County of Atchison in the State of Missouri, do make and publish this my last will and testament.
After the payment of my just debtrs, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Susannah Lewis, the home place on which I now live for and during her natural Life besides her interest in the personal property as my widow.
It is my will and desire that my son Robert M. Lewis share said home place with his mother during her lifetime.
It is my will and I give and bequeath to my daughter Phedelia Millard one hundred and sixty acres of Land being a part of the William Movesey farm and being the place on which whe together with husband Phillip Millard now lives.
I give and bequeath to my two grandsons William Hunter and Albert Hunter all of what is known as the Hunter farm and formerly owned by their Father Samuel A. Hunter.
I give and bequeath to my son Otis Lewis Twenty Two acres more or less of land lying west of Venables Mill which I own in Nemaha County in the State of Nebraska.
I give and bequeath to my son William Henry Lewis Forty acres of Land lying east of Venables Mill in Nemaha County in Nebraska.
It is my special will and desire that all of my real estate that ___ fall to my Daughter Corrilla Cowles. Shall only be a life estate for her and at her decease shall descend to the heirs of her Body if any survive her if not then it shall revert to my heirs.
After payment of my debts and the above special Bequest, the remainder of my estate both personal and Real shall be divided equally among my heirs, my two grandsons William and Albert Hunter taking a child's part and my gradnson Willson W. Williams to take a child's part.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of April, 1874. Wm Lewis

Signed Published and declared by the said William Lewis as and for his last Will and testament, in presence of us, who at his request have Signed, as witnesses to the same, in his presence and in the presence of each other.
Adam C. Mann, George Thompson

William's signature on the will appears firm but uneven, suggesting to me that the will was written by someone else and Mr Lewis only signed it. I also received from the same source, the Certificate of Admission to Probate, the Certificate of Probate and a third document which recertifies that the witnesses actually did witness William Lewis sign the will. Date on all three of these documents is 3 November 1875.

He was married to Susan (Susannah) . The Ohio Genealogical Society reported in January 1995 that they had no record of a William Lewis married to a Susan. Children were: Columbia Frances LEWIS, Matilda Ann LEWIS, Elizabeth Phedelia LEWIS, Henry L LEWIS, William Henry LEWIS, Robert M LEWIS, Eliza A LEWIS, Otis Clinton LEWIS, Corilla B. LEWIS.

William LEWIS Parents: John LEWIS and Isabella.

William Henry LEWIS

Children were: Verna Elizabeth LEWIS .

William Henry LEWIS⁽⁵³⁵⁾ was born on 28 Jul 1849 in Atchison county, Mo.⁽⁵⁸⁴¹⁾ LDS IGI index, Missouri He appeared on the census on 8 Jul 1860 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸⁴²⁾ He appeared on the census on 8 Jul 1860 in Buchanan Twp, Atchison Co, Mo.⁽⁵⁸⁴³⁾ Name only appears in LDS IGI index, Missouri. Probably was out on his own by the 1870 census.

William was mentioned in his father's will as follows "I give and bequeath to my son William Henry Lewis forty acres of land lying east of Venables Mill in Nemaha county in Nebraska." This land probably adjoined that given to William's brother Otis Clinton. Parents: William LEWIS and Susan (Susannah).

He was married to Ida "Lotta" Etta MCKISSICK on 5 Sep 1880 in Atchison county, Mo. Married by Stephen South, Justice of the Peace

Runsford LEWIS\LOUIS⁽⁵⁸⁴⁴⁾ appeared on the census on 10 Jan 1920 in Elkton, Rockingham Co, Va.⁽⁵⁸⁴⁵⁾ Living with mother and father in law. Age appears to be 88 years, but this cannot be correct if he is their son-in-law. He was born in Va.⁽⁵⁸⁴⁶⁾

Children were: Ellen Margarite LEWIS, Virginia B LEWIS, Johnsford L LEWIS.

Emily "Emma" L LEWMAN was born in 1865 in KY.⁽⁵⁸⁴⁷⁾ She appeared on the census on 28 Jan 1920 in Wallingford, Fleming Co, Ky.⁽⁵⁸⁴⁸⁾

Children were: Lois GARDNER.

Felicia H. LIBBY.

She was married to Fred W. LEE in 1878. Children were: Merrill T. LEE, Robert E. LEE, Olive H. LEE, Winifred S. LEE.

Nancy (Nannie) Drown LIBBY⁽⁵⁰³⁾ was born on 17 Oct 1869 in Elm Point, Bond Co, Il. She appeared on the census on 22 Jun 1900 in Bellville Twp, Chautauqua Co, Ks.⁽⁵⁸⁴⁹⁾ She appeared on the census on 4 May 1910 in Peru, Chautauqua Co, Ks.⁽⁵⁸⁵⁰⁾ She died on 15 Apr 1935 in Peru, Chautauqua Co, Ks.

She was married to Daniel Clarence RENGLER on 27 Nov 1890 in Peru, Chautauqua Co, Ks.⁽⁵⁰³⁾ Children were: Rosco E RENGLER , Gerald Phil RENGLER.

LIBERICH ⁽⁵⁸⁵¹⁾⁽⁵⁸⁵²⁾ was born about 1150. An old "knight of the mansion" or noble of Worms.

Children were: Conrad LIBERICH .

Conrad LIBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁵³⁾⁽⁵⁸⁵⁴⁾⁽⁵⁸⁵⁵⁾ was born about 1180. He died after 1215. A knightly "lord of the mansion" of Worms.. A knight and land lord in Worms; vassal of the lord high steward Werner III. Of Boland (1218 trustee of King Henry VII), testifies in 1215 in Worms for Werner III of Bolander in a court document. Werner III acted as the administrator of the cloister Marienthal near Donnersberg. Parents: LIBERICH.

Children were: Werner LIBERICH .

Ruker LIBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁵⁶⁾⁽⁵⁸⁵⁷⁾ was born about 1245.⁽⁵⁸⁵⁸⁾ He died after 1302.⁽⁵⁸⁵⁹⁾ Of Quenenbach. In 1302, sold a plot of land in Lich to the Kloister Urnsburg in return for an annual pension. After his death this pension was to be cancelled in favor of his soul/ He was knight of the castle in Lich. Parents: Werner LIBERICH.

Werner LIBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁶⁰⁾⁽⁵⁸⁶¹⁾ was born about 1210. He died after 1271.⁽⁵⁸⁶²⁾ of Quenenbach, Oberquembach near Wetzlar. He lived in 1271 in a house in the royal city Wetzlar. Presumably vassel of the lord high stewards of Boland-Falkenstein-Münzenberg. Parents: Conrad LIBERICH.

Children were: Billwin LUBERICH , Ruker LIBERICH.

Mary (Ann) (Marion) McCray LIC was born in May 1852.⁽¹¹²⁴⁾⁽²⁷⁹⁹⁾ She appeared on the census on 18 Jun 1880 in Crane twp, Paulding Co, Oh.⁽⁵⁸⁶³⁾ She died in 1917.⁽¹¹²⁴⁾

She was married to William A GORDON in 1874.⁽²⁷⁹⁸⁾ Children were: Lettie L GORDON, Edward W GORDON, George Clinton GORDON, George GORDON.

Albrecht LICHELE⁽⁵⁸⁶⁴⁾

Children were: Regina (Rachel) LICHELE.

Regina (Rachel) LICHELE⁽⁵⁸⁶⁵⁾. Parents: Albrecht LICHELE and Eva Elizabeth.

She was married to Johannes OEHRLY on 10 Mar 1756. Children were: John EARLY, John William EARLY, Thomas EARLY, Katrina EARLY, Anna Margaretha EARLY.

LIEBERICH ⁽⁵⁸⁶⁶⁾ was born in 1622 in Eberstadt.⁽⁵⁸⁶⁷⁾ Parents: Gebhard LIEBERICH.

Adam LIEBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁶⁸⁾ was born on 14 Jun 1635 in Lich, Wetterau, Germany. Parents: Gebhard LIEBERICH.

Baltzer LIEBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁶⁹⁾ was born about 1545 in Wetzlar, Germany. He died in 1588 in Wetzlar, Germany. Parents: Philipp LIEBRICH and Anna.

He was married to Sarah on 14 Feb 1577 in Wetzlar, Germany.⁽⁵⁸⁷⁰⁾ Children were: Velten (Valentine) LÖBERICH, Barbara LIEBERICH, Elizabeth LIEBERICH.

Barbara LIEBERICH⁽⁷³⁾ was born on 16 Sep 1580 in Wetzlar, Germany. Parents: Baltzer LIEBERICH and Sarah.

Elizabeth LIEBERICH⁽⁷³⁾ was born on 9 Mar 1585 in Wetzlar, Germany. She died on 14 Mar 1585 in Wetzlar, Germany. Parents: Baltzer LIEBERICH and Sarah.

Gebhard LIEBERICH⁽⁵⁸⁷¹⁾⁽⁵⁸⁷²⁾ was born between 1597 and 1599 in Eberstadt. He died on 10 Dec 1640 in Lich, Wetterau, Germany.⁽⁵⁸⁷³⁾⁽⁷³⁾ He was a charity nurse in Eberstadt. In the years 1625-1631 he embezzled funds and was therefore imposed a fine by the count of Soms, for whichhe had to take up a loan to pay, even his later widow had to pay down this loan. Parents: Emrich LIEBRICH.

Children were: LIEBERICH, Adam LIEBERICH, Marg LIEBERICH.

Prior Back to previous 50 names.

Next Go to next 50 names.

Home Return to Table of Contents