Nelson LEWIS from the "Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa"

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NELSON LEWIS, of Lewis Township, is a native of Monroe, Michigan, born 
December 25, 1838, the son of Silas and Lydia Lewis.  He was the ninth 
in a family of ten children.  He was reared to farm life in his native 
State, and received his education in the public schools.  When he was 
fifteen years of age he commenced working for himself, and in his 
seventeenth year cam to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he has since 
made his home.  He was engaged in various pursuits during his younger 
days, and in 1856 he made a trip to Texas, where he remained during 
the winter.  He then returned to Pottawattamie County, and during the 
years 1861-&#146;62 was engaged in freighting across the plains from 
Council Bluffs to Denver, and in 1863 he freighted from Council Bluffs 
to Fort Randall.  April 12, 1864, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Emily 
Jane Musser, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 26, 1846, the 
daughter of John and Caroline A. (Souls) Musser.  The parents were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio previous to their marriage.  
From that State they came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa , and 
purchased a farm in what is now Garner Township, where they made their 
home until the death of Mr. Musser, which occurred October 21, 1868.  
The father was a cabinet-maker and house-joiner by occupation.  They 
had a family of nine children, viz.:  William A., of Indianapolis, 
Indiana; Charles O., of Nebraska; Frances L., wife of Henry Palmer, 
residing in Council Bluffs; Emily J., wife of the subject of this 
sketch; Hester A., wife of Samuel Underwood, of Garner Township; Mary 
E., wife of Charles Green, residing in Neola Township; Martha E., wife 
of John Flemming, of Dakota; Abbie M., wife of George W. Ballinger, of 
Dawson County, Nebraska; Julia A., wife of William Ballinger, of 
Omaha.  Mrs. Musser is still a resident of Garner Township.

Nelson Lewis, our subject, purchased a farm shortly after his 
marriage, in Lewis Township, consisting of eighty acres on section 16, 
where he commenced making improvements.  He erected a good frame 
residence, 24 x 32 feet, and also barns for stock and grain; he has 
the finest stock barn in this part of the county, which is 56 x 104 
feet, and contains a steam mill for grinding mean and feed.  He has 
fine groves and eight acres of orchard.  Mr. Lewis has added to his 
first purchase until he now possesses 280 acres, on section 16 and 21, 
Lewis Township, and forty acres in Mills County.  His home and 
surroundings denote thrift and prosperity.  In April, 1884, he engaged 
in the dairy business, and now he has one of the most extensive 
dairies in the county, keeping 150 cows, and milking daily about 175 
gallons.  He is a live, energetic man, who has by his honesty and 
integrity won a large circle of friends.  In his political views he is 
a Prohibitionist, and has represented his township in most of its 
various offices.  He was also instrumental in organizing Lewis 
Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of twelve children, viz.:  Lydia 
May, Charles W., Edwin J., Frank N., Jessie A., Eva E., Harry B., and 
Walter S. (deceased), Freddie O., Bertie A., Vernon S. and an infant 
son.

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If you would like more information about anyone mentioned in this
biography, please write to the Pottawattamie County Genealogical
Society at:

PO Box 394
Council Bluffs, IA 51502-0394

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