McDonough ILGenWeb

LEWIS, Alexander. — Among the most favorably known and substantial citizens of Good Hope. McDonough County, Ill., is the subject of this sketch, who has successfully followed general farming and stock feeding and shipping in Walnut Grove Township, for about fifteen years. Mr. Lewis is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Clark County of that State in 1844, the son of James and Marguerite (Baker) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Maryland. James Lewis was a farmer by occupation, and went in early manhood from Maryland to Ohio, where he carried on farming during the remainder of his life.

In boyhood. Alexander Lewis utilized the opportunities afforded by the common schools of his native State, and made himself serviceable on the paternal farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. In 1871, he moved to Illinois, locating in Macomb Township. McDonough County, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1892. In that year he moved to Good Hope. McDonough County, buying seventy acres of land of H. Allison, in Section 30, Walnut Grove Township, on the edge of the village, and there carried on farming. Of late years he has been engaged in buying and shipping stock, and his transactions have extended over the entire county. At present, he devotes his attention solely to the business of stock shipping. During the Civil War Mr. Lewis was a member of the Forty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in which he served three years.

In 1867 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Rebecca Hamilton, a native of Ohio, who died in 1871. In 1876 he was again married, wedding for his second wife Clara Spangler, of Macomb Township, McDonough County, who departed this life in 1892. To the first union, one child was born, who died in infancy. Four children resulted from the second marriage, as follows: Lulu (Mrs. Pugh); Becky; Allie May, who died in 1884; and Beatrice, who died in 1905.

Mr. Lewis served acceptably as Township Assessor for one term and, for a like period, discharged the duties of Road Commissioner of Walnut Grove Township. He is regarded as a capable business man, and bears the reputation of a well-informed and public-spirited citizen.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 938-939, extracted 15 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass.