Limestone Co. TX - George W. Lewis

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                              George W. Lewis
                                      
                                      
   MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
   
   Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties
   
   Containing a history of this important section of the great State of
   Texas, from the earliest
   periods of occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of
   its prospects; also,
   Biographical mention of many of the pioners and prominent Citizens of
   the present time,
   and full page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this
   section.
   
   CHICAGO
   
   The Lewis Publishing Company
   
   1893
   
   Geo. W. Lewis, a merchant, farmer and stock raiser of Limestone Co.,
   was born in Jones
   Co., Miss., Jan. 10, 1839; a son of Moses and Elizabeth (Elzey) Lewis,
   Natives of S.C. They
   moved with their parents to Miss. in an early day, and the country was
   then filled with Indians.
   The father was only 2 years of age when he left his native state; was
   a farmer and trader by
   occupation and in 1858 located in Polk Co., Tex., then a comparatively
   new county. He served
   in the state militia during the late war, and in 1867 removed to Wise
   Co., this state, where he
   died in 1875. His wife departed this life in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
   were the parents of
   9 children as follows: G.W., our subject; Mary, deceased, was the wife
   of Columbus Davis;
   Howell, of this county; Irvine, who was killed at the battle of
   Chicamauga in 1863; Warren,
   deceased, and his family reside in Grimes Co.; Coleman, deceased, and
   his family reside in
   Velasco; Barbara. deceased; Catherine, wife of J.O. Akins, of Grimes
   Co.; and John, a resident
   of Limestone Co. In 1861 Mr. Lewis married a second time to Miss Ann
   Cain, and they had 3
   children: Elizabeth, James and Nancy. The father was a member of the
   Masonic order.
   
   George W. Lewis removed with his father to [from] Miss., and remained
   at home until the
   beginning of the late war. In 1861 he joined Co. K, 5th Texas
   Infantry, served in the Army of
   Virginia, but on account of ill health, was discharged after 6 months.
   After remaining at home
   1 month he enlisted in Co. H, Elmours Regiment; was stationed at
   Galveston Island and served
   with his Command until the close of the war. After returning to Polk
   Co. our subject engaged
   in farming on rented land, and for the first few years was obliged to
   go a distance of 4 miles
   to a mill. After the close of the war he had left only 1 horse, which
   he sold for $20; and
   immediately paid the entire amount for corn. He rented land in Polk
   Co. for 2 years, then in
   Grimes Co. 2 years, and in 1870 purchased 240 acres of unimproved land
   for which he paid
   $800 cash. Mr. Lewis erected a good farm building, cultivated 150
   acres, and in 1875 sold
   his land for $2200. He then purchased town property at Bremond,
   Robertson Co., where he
   was engaged in merchandising and stock raising until 1878, and in that
   year moved to Kosse,
   Limestone Co. While there he was engaged in farming and stockraising
   on 70 acres of land.
   In 1888 Mr. Lewis came to his farm on Big Hill, where he owns a ranch
   of 450 acres, with
   250 under cultivation, also has another farm of 480 acres of which 400
   is cultivated. Two years
   after moving to his farm he located at Thornton, where he has a
   beautiful residence. In January,
   1892, he embarked in the mercantile business in this village, and now
   has a fine trade.
   
   Mr. Lewis was married in 1860, to Miss E.J. Raley, a native of Alabama
   and a daughter of
   Charles and Jane (Finn) Raley, natives also of that state. They came
   to Texas sometime in
   the 40's, where the father followed farming and stockraising. They
   reared a family of 6 children,
   Viz; Marion of Reynolds Co., Tex.; Eliza J., wife of our subject;
   William, also a resident of
   Reynolds Co.; Benjamin F., deceased; John, deceased; and Robert O., of
   Reynolds Co. Both
   Mr. and Mrs. Raley are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had 9
   children; James,
   deceased; Georgiana, wife of J.M. Bryant of Limestone Co.; Barbara,
   now Mrs. J.B. Hooper
   [Harper], of this county; Ada, deceased; John H., George W., Robert
   O., and Charles G. at
   home. [dau. Alice dec'd by 1892]. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the
   Missionary Baptist Church.
   Our subject is a pronounced Democrat of the old school, although he
   takes no great interest
   in politics. he has never aspired to public office, yet his influence
   is sought by local politicians.
   
   -----The above excerpted from "MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY" (of
   Texas),
   
   The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1893 -----