Biographical Sketch of Lewis V. Fleming, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Lewis V. Fleming, well known in St. Joseph, is a native of Bucks
County, Pennsylvania, and was born April 13, 1817.  His father,
Benjamin, and his grandfather, Benjamin, were natives of that state.
His mother was Rachel Bowman, and her father, Henry Bowman, was an
officer in the Revolutionary War.  Lewis was raised in Morrisville,
Pennsylvania.  His father was a ship carpenter and died when our
subject was quite young.  After receiving the benefit of a limited
common school education he went to Philadelphia and learned the 
coach finishing trade, and in 1838, went to Cincinnati and worked
as journeyman, after which he took up his abode in Madison, Indiana
and there fitted up the first coach that ran on the Madison and
Indianapolis Railroad.  He was engaged for a time in conducting a
shop at Georgetown, Kentucky, after which he located in Worthsville,
Kentucky, where for nine years he was engaged in merchandising.  In
1855, he came to Missouri, locating in DeKalb County, and was engaged
in stock raising, until 1866, when he became a resident of this city.
He first commenced steamboating, purchasing the ferry, and acted in
that role until after the completion of the bridge.  There were but
few residents in Buchanan County, and in Doniphan County, Kansas but
what became acquainted with Captain Fleming.  He was married in
Madison, Indiana in 1840, to Miss Amelia Wallace, daughter of James
H. Wallace, an official on the Madison and Indiana Railroad.  By
this union they have had eight children: Ben W., Louis F., James W.,
Henry B., George, Edward and Charles S.; they lost one child, Robert.
Mr. Fleming is a member of the I.O.O.F., and was a charter member of
Washington Lodge No. 11, of Madison, Indiana.  During the nine years
stay at Worthsville, Kentucky, in connection with his business, he
held the position of Postmaster.  He was one of the prime movers and
directors of the St. Joseph and Denver Railroad.  His sons, Ben W. 
and George B., the hatters; are among the sterling business men of
St. Joseph.

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