Our subject was named in honor of his grandfather, Daniel Lewis, whose father and grandfather were named respectively Richard and James. The family is an old Revolutionary stock, and came originally from Wales, in the early part of the eighteenth century. Among the distinguished members of the family of which our subject is a descendant was Francis Lewis, an American Revolutionary statesman, born in Llandaff, Glamorganshire, Wales in March 1713. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to New York, and there engaged in commercial pursuits. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was elected to the Continental Congress, and in May 1776, he took his seat in that body as one of the delegates from New York. He was an intrepid and daring, and at the surrender of Ft. Oswego was taken prisoner, and narrowly escaped death by the savage Indians. He survived the perils of the war, and signed the Declaration of Independence, and with the exception of one short interval continued to be a member of Congress until April, 1779.
Some of the ancestors of Mr. Lewis were numbered among the early settlers of Philadelphia and the surrounding country, but his father, now deceased, was born in the neighboring State of Ohio, and was a native of Xenia. His birth occurred in 1809, and he remained the greater portion of his life in his native State. After arriving at years of maturity, he married, and had a family of three daughters, Melinda, Catherine and Cynthia. William Lewis removed to Montgomery County, Ind., in 1851, and in 1855 married a second wife, by whom he had five children, two of whom only lived to mature age. These two were his sons, William and Daniel, our subject. The father and mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Larsh, were highly respected by all who knew them, and in the death of Mr. Lewis the county lost a valued citizen.
Born in Montgomery County in 1862, Daniel Lewis received an excellent education in the public schools, and early in life engaged in business. In 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ditamore, and attractive and most estimable lady. Their bright little daughter, Mamie H., is their only child, and the sunshine of their pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are both deeply interested in public and local affairs of the day, and are active in social and benevolent enterprises, always aiding to the extent of their ability in all good work which presents itself to their ready attention. Mr. Lewis is fraternally associated with the Free Masons, and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a worthy member of the respective lodges located in Darlington. Our subject is naturally a very busy man, his manifold duties requiring much time and attention, but the energy and ability with which he conducts his daily business have made him an important factor in the best interests of the county. Mr. Lewis, though in the early prime of manhood, has well improved his opportunities in life, is now an honored citizen, and will not fail in coming years to serve in any position of public trust as faithfully as did his revered ancestors so many years ago.
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net