Saturday, May 10, 2008

Lewis, John

MARRIAGE: John Lewis married Betty Jane Henthorn on 26 Aug 1877. Family Bible in possession of Mildred (Lewis) Hunt. Information extracted by Wayne McMeins.

RESIDENCES: In 1877 John and Jane Lewis moved to a farm in Sugar Creek Township one and one-half miles west of Drexel, MO. His parents came with them and the family became active in the community and the Asbury Methodist Church.

Mabel Stitt made her home with them for a while, until she married Guy Towers.

When their son Herbie's wife died the two girls, Bernice and Mildred, came to live with them until they were grown.

RESIDENCES: John and Jane moved into their home on Walnut in Drexel in 1917. When the church decided to build a new Methodist Church, they gave the lot where the church now stands. They worked in the church as long as they were able. (Source: Helen Hinze in Drexel: The First 100 Years, 1989)

OBITUARY: John Lewis Dies

Mr. John Lewis, son of James and Emily Lewis, was born near Perry in Pike County, Illinois and passed away 3 June 1949 at the age of 94 years and 3 months.

Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Betty Jane Henthorn, 26 August 1877 in Illinois and the same year they came West and established their home on a farm in Sugar Creek, Miami county, Kansas where they reared their family. Two daughters Sarah and Minnie and five sons Fred, Alba, Herbie, Frank and Harry.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis lived on their farm 1 1/2 miles west of Drexel until about 30 years ago when they moved to their newly built residence in Drexel where Mrs. Lewis passed away 10 June 1941.

Mr. Lewis sold his home in Drexel about three years ago and went to live with his son Herbie in Kansas City. He has been in very poor health for about a year and the past two weeks just seemed to be slipping away from us.

Mr. Lewis gave his heart to God at a very early age and was always an active member in his church as long as his health would permit. He was a wonderful husband and father and set a wonderful example for us to follow.

He is survived by one daughter Sarah of Drexel, MO., four sons, Fred of Stockton, California, Herbie of Kansas City, MO., Frank of Olathe, Kansas, and Harry of Berkeley, California. One son Alba preceded his father in death and one daughter Minnie passed away in infancy. He leaves 14 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday at the Drexel Methodist Church at 3 p.m. The Rev. H. C. Green of Springfield, MO., a former pastor officiating. J. B. Hays funeral director and Mrs. Everett Stowe pianist. Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Rhea sang as quartette numbers "It is Well With My Soul," and "Old Rugged Cross". Casketbearers were: Col. W. S. Miller, John Cory, Roy Pasco, Everett Stowe, Wilson Hearson and Ernest Long.

Interment was made in Sharon Cemetery beside his departed wife, Mrs. Lewis.

RECOLLECTIONS: Grandpa and Grandma Lewis were silent givers. They did many good things. Grandpa was successful in his day as a farmer and his life spoke for itself. He said, "Money is not to hoard, but to make life better." (Quote from Helen Hinze)

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