Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK3B-JNR
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

1860 AGRICULTURE CENSUS

1860 Missouri 8th Agriculture Census ... Page Number 15 & 16

Schedule 4 --- Productions of Agriculture in Union Township in the County of Iron in the State of Missouri enumerated by me, on the 17th day of July 1860.

Post Office: Brunot Samuel A. Reyburn, Ass't Marshal.

I Name of Owner, Agent or Manager of the Farm --- Elizabeth Lewis
2 Acres of improved land --- 60
3 Acres of unimproved land --- 400
4 Cash value of Farm --- $2,000
5 Value of Farming Implements and Machinery --- $10
Live Stock, June 1, 1860
6 Horses --- 6
7 Asses and Mules --- 0
8 Milk Cows --- 4
9 Working Oxen --- 4
10 Other Cattle --- 8
11 Sheep --- 18
12 Swine --- 28
13 Value of Live Stock --- $500
Produce During the Year Ending June 1, 1860
14 Bushels of Wheat --- 60
16 Bushels of Indian Corn --- 1100
21 Pounds of Wool --- 35
23 Bushels of Irish Potatoes---40
27 Value of Orchard Products --- $10
30 Pounds of Butter --- 200
32 Tons of Hay--1
47 Value of Homemade Manufactures --- $30
48 Value of Animals Slaughtered-$140

1860 Census:

Patterson is Hugh Patterson Lewis, son of Jacob Lewis, a brother of George Lewis. He is helping work the farm.

Next door is John Lane and wife Hepsy and their family. Hepsey is Ellzabeth's sister.

Nerxt door on the other side is Elizabeth's daughter Martha Lewis Casteel and her family.

Name: Martha Casteel
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1838
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Union, Iron, Missouri
Post Office: Polks Spring
Dwelling Number: 1029
Family Number: 1005
Married Within Year: Yes
Cannot Read, Write: Y
Household Members Age
James Casteel 27
Martha Casteel 22
Elizabeth Casteel 18

Name:
[Elizabeth Lewis]
[Elizabeth Lewis]
Age: 60
Birth Year: abt 1800
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Union, Iron, Missouri
Post Office: Polks Spring
Dwelling Number: 1030
Family Number: 1006
Personal Estate Value: 300
Married Within Year: Yes
Cannot Read, Write: Y
Household Members Age
Elizabeth Lewis 60
Elizabeth Lewis 18
Andrew Lewis 15
James Lewis 13
Hepsey Lewis 11
Patterson Lewis 17

Name: John Lane
Age: 52
Birth Year: abt 1808
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Union, Iron, Missouri
Post Office: Polks Spring
Dwelling Number: 1031
Family Number: 1007
Real Estate Value: 1600
Personal Estate Value: 400
Married Within Year: Yes
Cannot Read, Write: Y
Household Members Age
John Lane 52
Hepsey Lane 40
Jasper Lane 17
Henry Lane 16
Martha Lane 13
Mary Lane 10
Elizabeth Lane 7

Died:
between Dec 1865 and before 1870 Census

Elizabeth married George Lewis before 1823 in , Cocke County, Tennessee, United States. George (son of Benjamin Lewis and Unknown) was born in 1802 in , , North Carolina, USA; died in Jan 1858 in Sabula, Iron County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Old Lewis Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: GKH8-RJV
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!OBITUARY

Mary Hale was born in Marion Co., Tennessee, 1823. After an illness of ten days died at the residence of her son-in-law, John Brewer, Cranepond, Saturday, March 24, 1888, aged 65 years. Deceased was the oldest daughter of George Lewis who died in 1858. Having lost her husband Jas. Hale, about the year 1862 she removed with her children, 3 in number, to Iron county, Mo., 1873, where she lived until the evening of the 24th when it pleased kind Providence to call her from earth away. Many sorrowing relativesand friends followed her to the family burying ground, near Sabula, where she was quietly laid to final rest beside her sleeping father.

The mother of 11 children, 6 of whom survive her, she was always an active Christian worker, leading a quiet and useful life. Although we deeply feel the loss, yet we will not grieve, knowing that our loss is her great gain. We will, therefore, bow in submission to the will of Him who does nothing wrong. The bereaved children and friends have the sympathy of the whole community in this sad, sad hour. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...April 5, 1888) (Xerox copy of obituary sent to Linda Lewis in November 1991 by Virgina Sutton Mitchell. The obituary was light and a little difficult to read. The date Mary came to Missouri may have been 1878 instead of 1873.)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Sources:
Title: Census 1850
Page: Van Buren Tennssee dist. 8 page 395
Note: FAM#389
James Hale 25 farmer TN
Mary 25 TN
Elizabeth 5 TN
Nancy 6/12 TN

Fam#390 includes Leander Hale who was living with James and Mary in 1860
Isham Hale 50 farmer TN
Nancy 49 TN
Scott 23 TN
Richard 21 TN
John 17 TN
Virginia 15 TN
Lavendar 13 TN
Harrison 11 TN
Burrell 9 TN
Date: 27 Sep 1850

Title: Census
Note: Van Buran County Spencer TN fam#111, 1 Jun 1860.
James Hale 35 farmer TN
Mary 40 TN
Nancy 14 TN
Martha J. 11 TN
Isham JR 6 TN
Mary 5 TN
Evaline 2 TN
Catherine 7/12
Levander 23 TN.

Census, White County Sparta, TN P.O. fam#62, 22 Jun 1870.
Hale Mary 48 TN
Nancy 20 TN
Isam 17 TN
Mary 15 TN
Evaline 12 TN
Caty 10 TN
Menerva 8 TN.

Note: Reynolds County Webb Missouri page 517B, 1880.
John Brewer 30 MO farmer MO MO
Evaline 22 KY MO MO
Hale Pollie Mother-in-law 52 MO MO MO

- courtesy Notha Stevens

Mary married James Hale about 1843 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA. James was born about 1825 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA; died about 1862 in , prob. White County, Tennessee, USA; was buried in , White County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• familyserch.org ID: KWJX-79J
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

1880 Census:

Name Catharine Griffith
Age 48
Birth Date Abt 1832
Birthplace Tennessee
Home in 1880 Marion, Ozark, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number 144
Race White
Gender Female
Relation to Head of House Self (Head)
Marital Status Widowed
Father's Birthplace Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace Tennessee
Occupation Keeping House
Cannot Read Yes
Cannot Write Yes
Neighbors View others on page
Household members
Name Age
Catharine Griffith. 48
Sintha Griffith 37
Catharine Griffith 18
Martha Griffith 14
Mandy Griffith 13
Robert S. Griffith 10
Evaline Griffith 7
John H. Griffith 6
Laura A. Griffith 4
George C. Griffith 1

http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/person.aspx?pid=-148470697&pgNum=1&tid=4628593

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/356007/person/372508564885/facts

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 21177731

Catherine married Robinson "Robert" Griffith about 1845 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA. Robinson (son of Samuel Patterson Griffith and Sarah Sallie Clemmons) was born on 11 Jan 1815 in , Marion County, Tennessee, USA; died in Jul 1895 in Longrun, Ozark County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Griffith Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• familyserch.org ID: LKYC-LCD
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

-from Civil War Soldiers of Madison County, Missouri, by Geraldine Sanders Smith. November 1997.

Benjamin Lewis

Born 1823, Tennessee, son of George and Elizabeth Lewis

Married: Naoma Huett

Enlisted: Confederacy – December 1862, Co. A, 15th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry.

Captured 25 Dec 1863 in Ripley County, Mo. at “battleground hollow” as part of the Major James Wilson massacre”.

Transferred 5 Jan 1864 from Pilot Knob to Gratiot Street Military Prison, St. Louis, Mo.

Died 30 Jan 1864 in prison of inflammation of the lungs, St. Louis, Mo.


1850 Federal Census - Madison County, MO:

Ben is listed as resident of Elihu Dunn household #489

Elihu Dunn - 28 - SC
Maria - 22 - TN
Mary - 6 - MO
Robert - 4 - MO
Adaline - 2 - MO
Biela - 11/12 - MO
Ben Lewis - 24 - TN


!CENSUS

1850 census ...Dist. No. 76, Reynolds County, Missouri ...Benjamin Lewis (age 24) cannot read or write. He was born in Tennessee and is a farmer. The head of the household is Issac W. Cotton (age 34) also a farmer from Tennessee. There are nine people in the household. One of the people is John C. Edwards (21) a school teacher also from Tennessee. (This is probably our Benjamin Lewis as his future wife, Naoma Hewit, was living in her father's household in Dist. No.16, Reynolds County, Missouri. Benjamin'sfather, George Lewis, was still on the 1850 Tennessee census. Ben's brother, Robert, and his family were already in Missouri.)

1860 census ...Liberty township, Iron County, Missouri ...Benj. Lewis (age 35) was a farmer with real estate valued at 1200 and his personal property valued at $400. Oma (age 33) and Ben were both born in Tennessee and neither of them could read or write.The six Lewis children were all born in Missouri: Elizabeth (age 8), Nancy (6), Daniel (5), Polly (3), Kesiah (female), and William (1 month old). Daniel, Nancy and Elizabeth attended school during the year.

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE.--Letters of Administration of the estate of Benjamin Lewis, deceased, were granted to the undersigned, on the 23rd day of September, 1867, by the Clerk of the County Court of Iron County, Missouri. All persons having claims againstsaid estate are required to exhibit them for allowance, to the administrator, within one year after the date of said letters, or they may be precluded from any benefit of such estate; and if such claims be not exhibited within two years from the date of said letters, they well be forever barred.

John F.T. Edward; Administrator.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County Missouri ...December 5,
1867)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
In the County Court of Iron County,

December ten, 1867.

(Estate of Benj. Lewis, deceased.]

John F. T. Edwards, Administrator of Benjamin Lewis, deceased, presents his petition to the court, praying for an order for the sale of so such of the real estate of said deceased as will pay and satisfy the remaining debts due by said estate, and yet unpaid for want of sufficient assets, accompanied by the accounts, lists, and inwentories, required by law in such case; on examination whereof it is ordered, that all persons interested in the estate of said deceased by notified that application as aforesaid has been made, and that unless the contrary be shown on or before the first day of the next term of this court to be held on Monday, the 2d day of March, next, an order will be made for the sale of the whole or so such of the real estate of said deceased as will be sufficient for the payment of said debts; and it is further ordered that this notice be published in some newspaper in this State for four weeks before the next term of this court.

A true copy. Attest:
feb6n31 JOS. Huff. Clerk

(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Iron Co., NO ...February 6, 1868)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
ADMINISTOR'S SALE

By virtue of an order of sale made at the March term, 1868, of the Iron County Court, I will offer for sale, and sell, at public auction, at the east front door of the court house in Iron County, on Monday, the 1st day of June, 1868, between the hours of 9 o'clock a.m. and 5 o'clock p.m. of that day, and during the sitting of said Court, the following described real estate, belonging to the estate of Benjamin Lewis, deceased, to wit:

Se 114 of sw 1/4 sec. 20, and ne 1/4 nw 1/4 sec. 29, town. 32 range 3 east, containing 80 acres, situate in Iron County, Missouri, on the following terms to wit:

20 per cent, cash in hand, and the balance on a credit of 6 months; the purchaser to give note with approved security for the payment thereof; and a deed to be executed on the complete payment of the purchase money.
Apr 9 n 40 John F.T. Edwards, Administrator.
[IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Iron Co., Missouri ...May 7, 18681

!NOTES

APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATION. STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY ...Mr. John F T Edwards Says that to the best of his knowledge and belief the names of the heirs of the said Benjamin Lewis deceased and their places of residence are respectfully as follows: NancyLewis, Daniel Lewis, William Lewis, Kizie Lewis, Mary Lewis Oma Lewis that the said Benjamin Lewis died without a will; that he will make a perfect inwentory of, and faithfully administer, all the estate of the deceased and pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct, and account for and pay all assets which shall come to his possession or knowledge.

John F.T. Edwards

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of November A.D. 1867.
By J. T. Ake, Dep

*****************************************************************************************************************
!NOTES

Now for my mother her name was Omay Lewis she was borned March 10 1861 I dont no grandma name but grandpa name was Ben Lewis he had lots of brothers and 2 Sisters: Andy, Bob, John, billie, jim, Elizabeth marrd tom jackson, Hepsie Lewis married will Ruble they are all gone

Ben had a family he died in Sivel War of pneaumonia they 2 boys
1) william-william was married twice had 2 familys
2) Daniel-married 2 time 4 children 2 boys 2 girls
3) Nancy-one time 6 children 2 girls 4 boys
4) Kizy-once ten children 6 boys 4 girls 2
5) polly-twice 2 familey first 1 boy 2 girls second 2 boys girl
6) omay-once 8 children 5 boys 3 girls
7) a baby

grandma died of child birth she was a hewitt she had several brothers but dont no of any girls. there harvey Esau these 2 I have hear my mother speak about (This information was written by Lucy May Abrams Cole, a daughter of Omay Lewis Abrams) (Bob Abrams sent a copy to Linda Lewis in 1990)

!NOTES

Ben Lewis kids was subpena to be at the Court, Centerville Mo for the May term 1894 circuit. I have not found out why. (Information in letter written to Linda Lewis by Loren Wayne Ruble)

!NOTES

It is thought that Oma Huett Lewis lived from around 1829 to 1863.

The above research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Benjamin and his brothers John and Andrew all enlisted 22 Dec 1862 in Pocahontas, AR. Another brother, William, enlisted 4 Oct 1862 in Pocahontas. AR. All were in Co. A, 15th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. A cousin, Robert R. Lewis (sone of John amd Emiline Dunn Lewis) enlisted

Enlisted: Confederacy - December 1862, Co. A, 15th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry.

Captured 25 Dec 1863 in Ripley County, Mo. at "battleground hollow" as part of the Major James Wilson massacre".

Transferred 5 Jan 1864 from Pilot Knob to Gratiot Street Military Prison, St. Louis, Mo.

Died 30 Jan 1864 in prison of inflammation of the lungs, St. Louis, Mo.
______________________
Benjamin Lewis enlisted during the Civil War in the Confederate Army . He joined Captain Timothy Reeves' Independent Company, Missouri Scouts in Pocahontas, Arkansas on December 22, 1862 for "3 years of this war". This company subsequently became company A, 15th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. Benjamin was 39 years of age when he enlisted as a private. Pvt. Lewis was captured on December 25, 1863, in Ripley County, Missouri at Battle ground Hollow as part of the Wilson Massacre. As a prisoner of war, he was transferred to the Gratiot Street Military Prison, St. Louis, MO from Pilot Knob, MO on January 5 , 1864. He died of "Inflamation Lungs" in the Gratiot Street Prison on January 30 , 1864.
Source: Information from Richard Abrams and published in the book, The Supreme Sacrifice.




Benjamin and Naoma Lewis’s children were raised by two of his brothers and a sister:

From 1870 Census:

William Lewis and wife Abigail raised Nancy and William
Andrew Lewis and wife Angeline raised Martha Mary “Polly” (listed as Mary in 1870 Census) and Daniel

Elizabeth Lewis and her husband Thomas Jackson raised Naoma, (Omy)

It is not known who raised the other children:
(Neither in 1870 Census)

Elizabeth
Kesiah “Kizzy” Kizzy married Andrew Ruble in 1877


Brothers John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis enlisted on the same day in Pocahontas, AR Dec 22, 1862, their brother William had enlisted Oct 4 in Pocahontas, AR.

Christmas Day Massacre

http://dixieoutfitters.com/p/christmas-day-massacre?ol=no&pi=2662&ri=2649


A Christmas Day Massacre in the Southeast Missouri Ozarks
Friday, December 26, 2008
Clint E. Lacy

One of the most controversial pieces of work that late author and historian Jerry Ponder wrote was his account of the Wilson Massacre in Ripley County, Missouri; which occurred on December 25th 1863. On December 23rd, 1863, members of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA, attacked and captured nearly 100 Union prisoners at Centerville in Reynolds County, Missouri; burning the courthouse down before they left. Ponder wrote that:

"An unusual group assembled at the Pulliam farm in southwestern Ripley County, Missouri for Christmas in 1863. Nearly 150 officers and men of the Missouri State Guard’s 15th Cavalry Regiment (Confederate); at least sixty civilians, many of them women and children; and 102 prisoners, officers and men of Company C, Missouri State Militia (Union).

The civilians were family members, friends, and neighbors. Confederate "hosts" and Union "guests" were all Missourians; but they were divided by perhaps the bitterest of all enmities-those of civil war.

The day’s activity was to begin with religious services conducted by the Reverend Colonel Timothy Reeves, commanding officer of the 15th Cavalry and a Baptist preacher of Ripley County. Then would follow Christmas dinner in the afternoon. The group at Pulliam’ s farm numbered above three hundred at the very least, if the figures on the record are to be believed. It was too many for a mere religious service and holiday dinner. Pulliam’s was one of Reeves’s regimental camps.

What began as a festive occasion ended in horror and tragedy. As the celebrants sat at dinner, their arms (rifles) stacked, they were surprised by two companies of the Union Missouri State Militia, more than 200 mounted cavalrymen. Only those guarding theprisoners, about 35 men, were armed. The Militia attacked without warning, shooting into the crowd, attacking with sabers, and killing at least thirty of the Confederate men instantly and mortally wounding several more. According to local tradition, many-perhaps most-of the civilians were killed or wounded as well.

The immediate cause of the Wilson Massacre was a series of events at Centerville, Reynolds County. Centerville Courthouse was some sixty miles north of Doniphan and twenty-five southwest of Pilot Knob. Late in 1863, Centerville was captured by the Union 3rd Cavalry from Pilot Knob. Company C was left as garrison. On December 21, while engaged in building stables on the courthouse grounds, they were surprised and surrounded by Company N of Reeves’s 15th Missouri Cavalry, under command of Captain Jesse Pratt, before the war the Baptist minister of Centerville. Company N was composed of farmers and merchants of Reynolds County. Probably Pratt and the Reeves brothers, also Baptist preachers, were long-time acquaintances. That Pratt was accorded the honor of recapturing his hometown was not accidental.

Captured were 102 Union men with their horses. Pratt took them south to Ripley County with a small group, leaving most of his men to garrison Centerville. He presented the prisoners to Reeves at Pulliam’s on Christmas morning, and joined his fellows of the regiment for the day’s festivities. One Union soldier had been allowed to escape at Centerville, doubtless to carry news of the event back to Pilot Knob. Reaction there was swift. Colonel R.G. Woodson, commander of the 3rd Missouri, ordered two mounted cavalry companies under Major James Wilson to pursue Pratt. They left Pilot Knob mid-morning on the twenty-third.

Wilson’s force rode swiftly, rising in the darkness of the twenty-fifth to be on the road at 3:00 AM. They passed through Doniphan that morning, and continued west toward Ponder, capturing pickets as they went, and descended on Colonel Reeve’s group and prisoners just as they were eating Christmas dinner" (1)

Mr. Ponder’s research on this subject can be found in his book: "History of Ripley County Missouri" , "A History of the 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, CSA: 1862-1865″ , in an article published in Ozark Watch magazine (Vol.IV, No.4, Spring 1991) entitled,"Between Missourians: The Civil War in Ripley County", as well as "The Civil War in Ripley County Missouri" (published by the Doniphan-Prospect News in 1992) His research was also convincing enough that author Paulette Jiles used it in her novel "Enemy Women".

It was during this time, that the controversy arose concerning Ponder’s research. Most of the criticism appears to have come from Ripley County Historian Ray Burson.

Mr. Burson contacted me several times and tried to convince me not to believe Mr. Ponder. He even sent me a packet of info that he has created to dissuade those who dare use Ponder’s research in their writings. Among the papers that Mr. Burson included inhis "packet" were pieces (that he put together) entitled: "Jerry Ponder’s Sources for the Wilson Massacre and Other Tales" and "Jerry Ponder On Providing His Sources".

Mr. Burson has also seemingly convinced historian and author Kirby Ross that Ponder’s account of the Wilson Massacre is fictitious. However, Ponder, shortly before his death in 2005 sent me two documents,

The two papers are:

"The Time of the War" By: Lindzy Dudley written in 1918. Dudley appears to have fought under Colonel Reeves. His name does not appear on the official records, however this is not uncommon. Many men "took to the brush" in order to defend their families from Yankee invasion. It is also my understanding that Confederate "Partisans" were not afforded the same pensions later in life as Union and regular Confederate troops were, therefore no pension records would exist to verify their service. In this piece Lindzy Dudley states (of the Wilson Massacre):

"Reeves was a Baptist preacher. He backed up every sermon with his pistol. Reeves men were mean. No quarter was given or asked. He had commanded a company till the end of 1863.

Colonel Righter was captured with General Thompson and Reeves was put in command of the 15th. In November a field hospital was attacked by colored cavalry and about 100 of Reeves’ men were killed. Reeves collected revenge but he never got over the loss ofsick and wounded not able to fight back. Just shot in their beds. He talked about that until he died. On Christmas, a month later, several companies were at the Pulliam farm for a service and feed with their families. This was on the old Tom Pulliam place northwest of Johnston’s Chapel and close to Oregon County and the Arkansas line. There was a big spring there on the Mill Branch where folks in that part had picnics. Reeves did a sermon and the group was ready to eat. The well known Major Wilson, the Yankee from Pilot Knob called "The Murderer", surrounded and attacked. The killed and the wounded were all over the field. Soldiers, their families, nearby families. All were killed. Those that could get across the creek and up the bluff on the so

It is interesting that Ray Burson of the Ripley County Historical Society, would question Dudley’s credibility in his account of the Wilson Massacre, yet in the book "History and Families of Ripley County Missouri" the historical society (who along with the publisher holds the copyright to the book) finds Dudley credible enough to relate who the first European settler of Ripley County was:

"In an interview with historian HUME in 1900, Lindzy DUDLEY reported that the first European resident was a "Wees RILEY" who arrived in 1802 with a Delaware Indian wife who soon died in childbirth" (3)

The other document was entitled: "Doniphan- No Man’s Land During the Civil War" By: T. L. Wright Jr. and was written in March ,1929. The paper appears to be one written for a High school assignment by T. L. Wright Jr.. On the copy that Mr. Ponder sent me "DONIPHAN PUBLIC LIBRARY" is stamped on the upper left hand corner of the page.

I was able to talk to Jerry Ponder over the phone, while he was in Texas (a few months before he died) and he told me that he found the documents after they had been discarded. During the time that he found the documents (1990-1991) the Doniphan Public Library and the Ripley County library were being consolidated.

In addition I contacted the Ripley County Library’s Doniphan Missouri location on Friday July 29, 2006 and talked to two separate librarians, Mr. Allen Rife and Mrs. Rebecca Wilcox. Both told me it was possible that the documents could have been discardedduring the consolidation. During a second phone interview conducted on August 7th, 2006 I talked to a third librarian Mrs. Patricia Robison, who told me that though she did not work at the library at the time of the consolidation, she is a life long resident of Ripley County it was "entirely possible" that documents were discarded during the consolidation of the two libraries in the early 1990’s.

As a side note, I was also able to check out a book from the Doniphan-Ripley County Library entitled "Doniphan and Ripley County History". There is no copyright date, but the earliest entries appear to be from the early 1900’s and the last entry appears to be in the early 1970’s and upon examination of the library stamp on this book, and the document that Jerry Ponder sent me, they are the same and one can clearly ascertain that the library stamp on the document Jerry Ponder sent me is valid.

T. L. Wright Jr.’s 1929 paper also gives long time residents accounts of the Wilson Massacre. Given the fact that this paper was written in 1929, it is possible that the accounts could have been eyewitness accounts. Certainly they could be accounts written by citizens who were living during the time of the "Wilson Massacre".

"On Christmas Day, 1863, Major James Wilson, later captured and executed by firing squad at Pilot Knob, and 200 Union troops from Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob, passed through Doniphan, traveling on a southeast course to Pulliam’s Farm, 17 miles from Doniphan where Colonel Reeves and his cavalry were encamped. A vicious, surprise attack ensued and 35 rebels were killed and 112 taken prisoner when the fighting had ended. But worse, families and neighbors were present and, in the heat of battle, Wilson’s soldiers killed over 50 civilians. Mrs. Betty Towell, Tom Pulliam and Ed Cline, long-time residents of the neighborhood, tell that the civilians killed, in camp for a Christmas visit, included women and children who were shot down the same as the rebel soldiers of Reeves’ Regiment. That action attests to the cruelty of the war." (4)

According to historian Kirby Ross, T.L. Wright Jr. was born in 1912. That would have made T.L. Wright Jr. 17 years of age at the time he wrote this document (which appears to be a high school paper). One of the criticisms that Mr. Ross has made in his attempt to discredit Jerry Ponder was posted on an online forum on August 14th, 2005. In it Mr. Ross states (in reference to the document written by T.L.Wright Jr. in 1929) that:

"…do you realize that this version of the T.L. Wright article has a four year old boy conducting complex historical interviews?" (5)

Ross continues by stating:

"Now as to Mr. Ponder’s fantabulous precocious four year old interviewer/historian, T. L. Wright, I refer you to Mr. Lacy’s posting that says:

"A major set-back was experienced by the Confederate Army on August 24, 1863, when General Jeff Thompson, Colonel William Righter and most of their staffs were captured at the hotel in Pocahontas while holding a planning meeting. General Thompson was taken to a military prison in Ohio and held there for over a year before he was released. Colonel Righter was taken to St. Louis by a circuitous route around Ripley County. He agreed to sign an alliance to the Union and put up $1,000.00 bond as assurance thathe would not fight again. The Colonel told me."

That last sentence bears repeating: "The Colonel told me."

Ponder is offering this to show that T.L. Wright personally interviewed Col. William H. Righter. This passage is so ridiculously bad that it is laugh out loud funny and begs to be repeated, for you see, T.L. Wright was born Feb. 15, 1912 and William Harmon Righter passed away on November 26, 1916." (6)

This criticism by Ross bears examination. First of all, as stated before, T.L. Wright Jr. was 17 years of age when he wrote his 1st version of "Doniphan: No Man’s Land in the Civil War" in 1929 and the words "The Colonel told me" seems to be more of a recollection of a story that William Harmon Righter told him when he was a young boy. Nowhere has Jerry Ponder ever wrote that T.L.Wright Jr. was conducting "complex interviews" at 4 years of age. It is also important to note that T. L. Wright Jr.’s 1929 version of "Doniphan: No Man’s Land During the Civil War", matches Lindzy Dudley’s 1918 version of what occurred at Pulliam’s Farm on December 25, 1863.

On the same online forum posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31st, 2005, Ross states:

"And with this published account of the document in question, if Jerry Ponder’s version of "the Wilson Massacre" is to be accepted, one must also accept that Wright participated in part of the massive cover-up of the massacre that Jo Shelby and Jeff Thompson would have also been a part of." (7)

There is no way that Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson of the Missouri State guard could be involved in the Wilson Massacre or have known about it because he was captured on August 22, 1863. The Wilson Massacre occurred on December 25, 1863. General M.Jeff Thompson was in a Yankee prison in the North at the time that the "Wilson Massacre" occurred. (7)

It is possible that after General Thompson’s release in 1864, that he had no doubt heard about the atrocities being committed in Ripley County and the surrounding areas, after he made his way back to Missouri just in time to participate in General Price’s1864 Missouri Expedition.

On the same August 31’st, 2005 online forum post Kirby Ross offers another version of T.L. Wright Jr.’s "Doniphan: No Man’s Land in the Civil War" which he claims is the "real" T.L. Wright Jr. document and was published in Doniphan Prospect-News Doniphan,Missouri Thursday, April 2, 1970. Ross states:

"By the way, note that Wright doesn’t refer to William H. Righter as being one of his sources in this article, or of having interviewed him when he was four years old." (8)

This is true, T.L. Wright Jr. does not make mention of Colonel William H. Righter as one of his sources in the 1970 Prospect-News newspaper article. However one must remember that there is a 51 year difference between the article written in 1970 , and theone written in 1929.Mr. Ross claims that the 1970 Doniphan Prospect News article is the "real" T.L. Wright Jr. article. Yet there is a third version of the T.L. Wright Jr. article that appeared in the Ripley County Library book, "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War", there is no date on this piece, but it appears to be written around the same time period as the 1970 article. Like the 1970 article there is no mention of civilians killed or Colonel Righter. But there are areas in which the T.L. Wright Jr. article found in the book "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War" differ from the version published in the Doniphan – Prospect news in 1970. Is it not legitimate as well?

It appears that in later years T.L. Wright Jr. decided to cite more official sources for his revised work, "Doniphan: No Man’s Land in the Civil War" and his version of the Wilson Massacre seems to follow other versions in the "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War" book found in the Ripley County Library. This does not make his original version any less valid. Remember the 1929 version quoted long time residents of Ripley County who lived in the area.

No one knows why T.L. Wright Jr chose not to include these sources in the two other versions of his paper in later years.

Mr. Burson’s criticism seems to be centered around Colonel William H. Righter himself and whether or not he was a real Colonel. In a personal letter sent to me by Ray Burson entitled: "Jerry Ponder’s Sources for the Wilson Massacre and other Tales" Bursonwrites:

"The tale: That William Harmon Righter was the founder and Colonel of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA , captured at Pocahontas , AR with Gen. Jeff Thompson and then sat out the rest of the war in St. Louis. Righter is a prominent figure in Ponder’s books on the 15th Missouri Cavalry, The Battle of Chalk Bluff and Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke.

Historians have not found any record of Righter’s service in the CSA and there is not mention of it in his biographic sketches and three obituaries. He is not mentioned in the OR with the Capture of Thompson or elsewhere. He was merely a Southern sympathizer. Ponder got the VA {Veterans Administration} to provide a headstone which he had placed in the Doniphan City cemetery for Righter without providing Righter’s service record" (9)

A "Post It" note was attached to the letter which reads:

"Mr. Lacy , Here’s the real scope of Ponder’s mischief. See IV- what does creating fake colonels add to the story of Southern valor during the Civil War? Regards, Ray Burson"

The fact that Burson has stated that no service record of Righter in the CSA has been found doesn’t mean that Righter did not serve in some capacity. As stated at the beginning of this article, this was not uncommon, many men "took to the brush" and fought as informal companies of partisans. It is extremely doubtful that the Veterans Administration would have provide a headstone for Colonel Righter, free of charge, without some kind of documentation that Righter served in some capacity during the war.

In Jean Ponder’s story "Doniphan During the Civil War", she states that:

"There is an amusing anecdote told about a group of southern sympathizers who lived in Doniphan. Living in the town at that time was a man by the name of W.H. Ryder, who claimed he was from Virginia. – ‘A gentleman from Virginia – drunk or sober.’ One dayall of these southern sympathizers were gathered in the town. Suddenly, without any warning, a division of the Union Army marched into town. Caught unprepared, the Southerns had to ‘take to the bushes’ for their lives. As Ryder was the fastest runner of them all and got to safety first, the rest of them immediately made him their colonel." (10)

If these men were ordinary citizens, then why were they afraid, why did they run? If they were nothing more than ordinary citizens, then why were they gathered in town? What was the intention of the gathering?

The fact that obituaries about Righter did not mention any military service is not proof positive that he did not fight. After all Colonel Timothy Reeves, after the war, was reluctant to discuss his war time experiences, stating that "he wished to be remembered as a good preacher, not a civil war hero", obituaries about him made no mention of his military experience. (11)

Jerry Ponder said in his research that Righter’s commission came from Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson. Ponder’s critics state that Thompson made no record of this. Is it possible that this could have happened? It is entirely possible. In his book "Thisis the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson himself writes that:

"About the 1st of July 1861, Cyrus Black and Miles Ponder of Ripley County, Missouri came down to Pocohontas {Arkansas} to inform me that the citizens of Ripley and Carter counties were meeting at Martins-burg to organize a Battalion and desired me to come up and take command" (12)

Thompson further states that he was elected to command the battalion and that Aden Lowe was not a candidate because of the strict discipline that he enforced before Thompson’s arrival. One of Jeff Thompson’s first acts as commander of the Ripley County Battalion, was to, start enlisting men as Partisan rangers. Thompson writes:

"I saw at this time the necessity of mounted troops even for my small command, and I authorized James F. White to raise as many men to act as Partizans and Flankers , as he could find with good horses: (13)

Sam Hildebrand, who later became known as a Missouri Bushwhacker, is another partisan that was given a commission by General M. Jeff Thompson. In his autobiography Hildebrand wrote:

"As soon as I could gain admission to the General’s headquarters I did so, and he received me very kindly. He listened very attentively to me as I proceeded to state my case to him – how my brother had been murdered, how I had barely escaped the same fate, and how I had finally been driven from the country.

General THOMPSON reflected a few moments, then seizing a pen he rapidly wrote off a few lines and handing it to me he said, "here, I give you a Major’s commission; go where you please, take what men you can pick up, fight on your own hook, and report to me every six months." (14)

Even though Hildebrand received a Major’s commission from Thompson, the act is not mentioned in "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson". Nor is it mentioned in "General M. Jeff Thompson’s Letter Book July 1861-June1862″, written by Jim McGhee, therefore the fact that there is no record of Righter’s commission, doesn’t mean that he was not given one by Thompson.

Yet there is another possibility in this story. If there was a record of Colonel Righter’s or Sam Hildebrand’s commissions given by M. Jeff Thompson, the records might have very well been destroyed at the time of M. Jeff Thompson’s capture in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on August 22, 1863. In the book, "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson writes:

"Kay spread out my maps to examine them and by -the -way I had the best set of maps that I saw during the war, for I had all kinds of military information on them, and the name and status of nearly every man in Southeast Missouri. I sat down in my shirt sleeves to copy some drawings, about 4 P.M. We heard horses running. I did not look up, but Kay did and shouted ; "By George , here’s the Feds." I sprang to my feet, and sure enough they were within forty yards, with a string of them as far as the eye could reach, all coming at full speed. I gasped as if my heart would jump out of my mouth, but instantly sat down again, and said:, Kay, burn those maps." (15)

The only flaw in the Linzy Dudley, T.L Wright Jr.’s 1929 document, and Ponder’s writings that I could find is the fact that Righter was not captured directly with Thompson. Again quoting "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson" Thompson writes of being brought to Doniphan , Missouri in route to Pilot Knob, Missouri that:

"There were only five military prisoners, being Kay, Train, McDonald , Miller and myself, but there were a large number of people , men and boys, brought into camp to prevent them from carrying the news". (16)

Righter could have very well have been in the latter group. Perhaps this is the reason that Lindzy Dudley told Charles Booker in 1918 that:

"Colonel Righter was captured with General Thompson" (17)

In the book "The Civil War in Ripley County , Missouri" it states that Colonel W.H. Righter following his capture was:

"…was taken to Gratiot Prison in St. Louis. There he agreed not to further take up arms and was paroled. He remained in St. Louis the remainder of the war, reading law. His wife, Anna Wright Righter, died there in February 1864. When the war ended, Colonel Righter returned to Ripley County and, in 1866, was elected as the state representative from Ripley County. Because of his Confederate service, the General Assembly refused to seat him and appointed a "stand -in" to represent the county…In 1867 Colonel Righter went to Mississippi and raised cotton, but he returned to Ripley County the same year and built the Bay City Mils on Current River" and that, "As soon as the Missouri constitution permitted former Confederates to practice law in the state Righter leased the mills and opened a law office in Doniphan. He was considered an excellent lawyer and had a large practice. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Ripley County in 1876″ (18)

The Thursday Sept. 2d, 1909 issue of "Twice a Month Magazine" confirms that Righter:

"returned to St. Louis October 1863, planted cotton in Mississippi in 1866-67 and returned to Ripley County in 1868″ (19)

"Twice a Month Magazine" also stated that :

"Colonel Righter is a typical Southern gentleman possessing nearly all their strongest characteristics. During the Reconstruction days of the late 60’s and early 70’s he had many "warm skirmishes" with the "carpet baggers" his county contained about 300 Democratic voters who were "slow to come under the ban". Leaving it in the hands of about 12 Republicans to handle its affairs". (20)

Righter was elected to the State Legislature in 1882, after Reconstruction, when former Confederates were once again allowed to hold office. (21)

Even without the discussion of what role Colonel William Harmon Righter played in the War Between the States, there is plenty of other evidence that proves the "Wilson Massacre" could have happened. Yankee atrocities happened throughout the Missouri Ozarks during the war and fighting between warring factions was both personal and brutal.

On a U.S. Forestry Service website entitled, "History of the Irish Wilderness", a detailed description of Union policy toward Missouri Southerners living in the Southeast Missouri Ozarks is given.

The website cites the War of the Rebellions: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, one entry in particular shows proof that the women of the area were looked down upon and treated badly by the occupying Union soldiers. Captain Robert McElroy of the 3rd Missouri State Militia (Union) wrote that:

"I am of the opinion that the women in that region are even more daring and treacherous, and in fact, worse than the men, as we found in their possession a number of newly made rebel uniforms, etc. (22)

Jerry Ponder’s critics cite eye-witness accounts of Union soldiers who were present at the Wilson Massacre and stated that all of the prisoners were well cared for. But reading through the U.S. Forestry Service’s "The History of the Irish Wilderness" , which cites the official records of the War of the Rebellions, one will find that anyone who was even "suspected" of being a "Bushwhacker" was taken prisoner. In Captain Boyd’s (who was a Union Scout) report he states that:

"…found fresh trail of horses, followed them on Jack’s Fork to the residence of Miles Stephens and brother, Jack Stephens, whom’ I’m satisfied were Bushwhackers. Burned the house." (23)

Anyone "suspected" of harboring or aiding a Bushwhacker had their property burned, furthermore, in Captain John Boyd’s report of the 6th Provisional Regiment EMM (Union) one will find between November 4 – 9 , 1863 ,there were over 23 houses burned , and 10 men killed, by these Union troops, the majority of which were prisoners who "tried to escape" and were shot. (24)

All of this occurred little over a month before the "Wilson Massacre" and we are supposed to believe that the Union militia treated Reeves men and local civilians any better on December 25, 1863?

There are other pieces of evidence that suggest that the "Wilson Massacre" did happen. At the Stoddard County Civil War Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, there are monuments erected in honor of Southern soldiers and civilians who were killed during the War Between the States. The monuments are unique due to the fact that they have detailed information about the individual on the front of the monument, name, rank unit, etc. and on the back of the monument a detailed description of where and how the individual died.

One states on the front of the monument: "PVT. , Thomas McKinney, Co. A, 15th Mo. Reg. Cav. CSA. July 16, 1845 – Dec. 25, 1863." The back of the monument reads: "Killed in Action, Ripley County, Mo".

Another monument is more specific. The front reads: "In memory of , PVT. , Jacob Foster, Co. A, 15th Mo. Cav. , April 18, 1830- December 25, 1863."

The back of the monument reads: "Died of Wounds, Received At, Christmas Dinner, Doniphan Mo., "Wilson Massacre" (25)

If one looks at the events following the "Wilson Massacre" a clear picture begins to develop that something "very significant" happened on December 25, 1863 in Ripley County , Missouri. An event so drastic, that the effects of it would be felt throughout the rest of the War Between the States in Missouri, and even after the war had ended.

First of all something must have been weighing very heavily upon Major Wilson’s mind for in March of 1864 he told his nephew, while he was on furlough:

"If you ever hear of me being taken prisoner by the guerilla Tim Reeves you may count me as dead. I know I shall never get away from him alive. I have broken up his recruiting operations three times." (26)

Was Wilson worried about his life because he had broken up Reeves’ recruiting operations? Or did he fear retribution for something much worse, that he did not want his family to know about?

One must not discount the fact that that during the General Sterling Price’s Missouri Expedition of 1864, at the Battle of Pilot Knob, Missouri:

"Maj. James Wilson, Third Cavalry Missouri State Militia, after being wounded was captured on Pilot Knob, and subsequently with six of his gallant men was brutally murdered by order of a rebel field officer of the day." (27)

In an article entitled: "No Heroes On Either Side" written by Ponder critic Ray Burson and published in the Prospect-News (Doniphan Missouri’s local newspaper) and dated Wednesday, July 16,2003 , another Ponder critic Kirby Ross attributes Major Wilson’sdeath to the burning of Doniphan, Missouri.

"Ross , whose article on the burning of Doniphan will be in an upcoming issue of North – South magazine, linked Wilson’s death to the destruction of Doniphan "which had taken place earlier, two weeks to the day." (28)

However, in the "Report of Confederate General J.O. Shelby C. S. Army, Commanding Division. AUGUST 29-DECEMBER 2, 1864. Price’s Missouri Expedition."

It appears that General Shelby administered justice to the perpetrators who were responsible for the of burning Doniphan, almost as quickly as the act was committed. Shelby wrote that:

"On the 12th of September I moved camp from Sulphur Rock, Ark., toward Pocahontas in anticipation of the arrival of the army, and on the 19th, after having received my instructions, started for Missouri, and encamped in Doniphan. Before arriving there, however, couriers from Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of Marmaduke’s command, brought information that 100 Federals were in the town and pressing him back. I immediately started forward sufficient re-enforcements, but the enemy fled before reaching them, burning the helpless and ill-fated town. That night I dispatched 150 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson to pursue the vandals. They came upon them early the next morning [20th], attacked, scattered, and killed many of them. I pushed on then rapidly for Patterson, destroying on the way the bloody rendezvous of the notorious Leeper, and on the morning of the 22d I surrounded and charged in upon the town. Its garrison, hearing of my advance, retreated hastily, but not before many were captured and killed,

Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson offered another reason for the execution of Major James Wilson. As mentioned earlier in this article, Thompson was in a Union prison at the time of the "Wilson Massacre", but he was exchanged in time to make his way back to Missouri to join Confederate General Sterling Price’s 1864 Missouri Expedition.

In May of 1865 Thompson surrendered 10,000 men at Jacksonport , Arkansas. Out of those 10,000 men, only one was not paroled. Confederate Colonel, Timothy Reeves, Commander of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA. Thompson wrote that:

" In a few days we finished all the paroles , except that of Timothy C. Reeves, whom Col. Davis would not agree to parole , considering him outlawed for the shooting of Major Williams { Major Wilson, this was a misprint} and five men on the Price Raid; but I must state for Col. Reeves, that he was as good a man and soldier as any in the command , and his shooting of that party was entirely justifiable; only that it should have been by such an order and form that retaliation would have been avoided.

I solicited to have this party turned over to me, that I might have them shot in due form, and Reeves men refrained from killing them for three days in hopes that I would get them; but responsibilities of this kind were not to our commanders liking , and they were turned over to Reeves to guard, with a pretty full knowledge that they would be shot.

I knew Reeves men , nearly everyone of them, and the provocation was bitter, for I had seen the blackened ruins and lonely graves in Ripley county with my own eyes." (30)

Thomas Lowry in his book, "Confederate Heroines" confirms that the burning of Doniphan was only one of the reasons for Reeves’ execution of Wilson. In fact according to Lowry, Wilson’s burning of Doniphan was a reprisal for how quickly Reeves reformed hiscommand in the wake of the massacre. Lowry writes:

"At Christmas, 1863,Reves-officially Captain Reves,15th Missouri Cavalry (Confederate)-was holding a large conclave at Pulliam Spring, just south of Doniphan, Missouri. The gathering contained both men from his command and other units, together with theirwives and children and a number of Union prisoners, as dinner cooked, no less than 5 preachers exhorted the crowd to their Christian duties. Foremost among them was the Reverend Captain Reeves who preached to his Yankee prisoners, "all afternoon".

As the preaching proceeded and the dinner cooked, Major James S. Wilson of the Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry (Union), who had been tracking Reves for days, surrounded the camp meeting. Just as Christmas Dinner was served, the Yankees attacked. In addition to the 30 Confederate soldiers killed and 112 captured, 60 civilians, many of them unarmed women and children, were killed and wounded. This outrage so inflamed Southern sympathizers that the influx of new volunteers into Reves’ unit outweighed the Rebel loss. With his new recruits, Reves raised such havoc, burning Union farms and killing Union men, that Wilson returned a few months later and burned the entire town of Doniphan to the ground.

This set the final stage for Wilson and Reves. Wilson was captured in late September, 1864, at the Battle of Pilot Knob. A few days later, Reves took Wilson and six of his men to a little clearing and shot them dead" (31)

The 2002 publication of Lonnie Speer’s "War of Vengeance" carries the testimony of testimony of several Union captives who were present when Reeves caught up to the captives as Price’s army was moving west after the battle. The eye witness accounts suggest that Reeve’s was very selective about who was to be executed when he arrived in Franklin County, Missouri, Speer’s writes:

"As their journey continued, Wilson and the other prisoners remained silent. Each of their faces reflected some degree of indifference, resignation or deep thought. Many were consumed with thoughts of their families or loved ones back home while others were consumed with what loomed ahead. The only sounds heard were the rustle of clothing, the squeak of saddle leather and the occasional bark of demands as the procession moved down the road. It wasn’t long, though, before their quite thoughts were rudely interrupted.

"Halt!" commanded Lt. Col. John T. Crisp, the Confederate officer in charge of the prisoners, as he road along the right flank of the procession. By this time the group was about ten miles south of Union, Missouri in Franklin County.

As the captives stood on the road, facing north, they could hear the pounding of horses’ hooves approaching from the south, a short distance behind them. Within moments a small band of riders rode up to the procession and quickly reigned to a halt stirring up a cloud of dust. Slowly the lead rider rode past the prisoners and slowly drew up close to Crisp; they began to talk quietly. Some of the prisoners recognized this new arrival as Col. Timothy Reves {Reeves} a guerrilla leader attached to Fagan’s division. Crisp and Reves reigned their horses to one side and rode a few yards away from the group to continue their conversation in low voices.

"Line up single file!" Crisp ordered as he rode slowly back toward the group.

The prisoners reluctantly fell prisoners as he passed. Upon arriving at the end of the line , he turned his horse and into line along the center of the road as Reves road up and down the column looking over rode past the prisoners again,glaring into theireyes and looking over their uniforms one by one.

"Soldier, what’s your name?" Reves demanded upon noticing the shoulder strap insignias on the major’s jacket.

"James Wilson" came the reply.

"What regiment?" Reves shot back.

Proudly and defiantly Wilson replied:" The {3’rd} Missouri Cavalry State Militia".

"Step forward!" Reves demanded.

Wilson took two steps forward as Reves continued riding down the line.

"What’s your regiment?" Reves demanded of another

"Third Missouri State Militia", answered Cpl William Gourley.

"Step forward!", Reves again demanded and continued down the line."

Although no one seemed to know much about Reves , he appeared to be in his mid to late-thirties and, with his thick black beard ,dark piercing eyes and large build, he was an imposing and intimidating figure as he sat on his horseback nearly six feet above the prisoners, glaring down on them.

Upon reaching the middle of the line, Reves again turned his horse and halted, facing the prisoners. Slowly and deliberetly he leaned forward and his saddle and , resting his arms across the pommel, ordered the prisoners to call out their regiments in succession.

As they did, each prisoner giving the "{3rd} Missouri State Militia" was ordered to step forward. These included William Grotts, William Skaggs, John Shew and John Holabaugh. One prisoner a man of eighteen to nineteen years of age wearing the insignia ofan artillery bugler and believing members of the Third Regiment were possibly being singled out for parole lied and claimed to be a member of "Company H {3rd} Missouri State Militia." To this day his true identity is unknown. He too, was told to step forward

As they continued down the line each prisoner called out his regiment, Hiram Berry and Oscar Gilber near the center hastily agreed to give a different command.

"Seventh Illinois Cavalry" each of them said as their turn came.

Upon hearing this William Axford, farther down the line began to panic. "I don’t like this" he muttered to the prisoner on his right. "They’re singling out members {of the 3’rd}! What should I do?"

"Give the same regiment and company I do" the prisoner whispered out the side of his mouth as he continued facing forward.


"Company B {14th} Iowa Infantry" the prisoner answered as his turn came.

"Company B {14th} Iowa Infantry" Axford repeated and was relieved when Reves gave no response.

Upon hearing some of his troops give different regiments began to sense what might be happening and was concerned about those who hadn’t.

"It’s me you want" Wilson called out at his looked down the line at Reves. "Have the others step back in line."

"I will do no such thing Major!" Reves blurted as he glared back at Wilson. " Now stand there and shut up!" Turning toward one of his troops, Reves ordered, "Put a double guard on that damned Major!"

After the last prisoner in line called out his regiment, Reves men directed their horses to the lead and flanking position around the seven who had been separated from the others, doubling up around Wilson.

Crisp then rode up to the remaining prisoners and released them on parole after they took an oath to never bear arms against the Confederacy again and after they promised to leave on a northerly route out of the area. After signing a roll, the parolees quickly departed.

"Lead ’em off!" Reves called out when the other prisoners were out of sight and Crisp had begun to lead his men out of the area in another direction.

As the Major and six additional prisoners passed by , being led off in a southwest direction , Reves glared at Wilson and pulled his horse in behind the group, taking up the rear position to follow them out across the flat land toward a small ridge…

As the prisoners crossed over the ridge and approached a stand of trees boarding a small stream, prisoners Gourley, Grotts, Skaggs, Shew and Holabaugh probably couldn’t help but think about their families at home. Perhaps they were wishing to be back on their farms or wondering how long it would be before they got to see their families again. Whatever they were thinking, their thoughts were quickly interrupted.

"Halt!" Reves ordered.

As the prisoners stood their, next to a ravine that led down toward the creek, they could hear their rider-escort dismounting.

"About face!" Reves called out.

As the prisoners turned, for just one split second they probably saw the gaping ends of the gun barrels. Whatever they saw, in that instant after they turned around it was over. As the gunshots echoed down through the timber and across the creek, seven bodies crumpled like rag dolls and collapsed in a heap across the ground. One soldier ran over and shot Wilson’s prone body twice more in the head.

Calmly, the soldiers climbed back onto their horses and rode off over the ridge out of sight"

Is it possible that Jerry Ponder made some mistakes in his research? Yes. Everyone makes mistakes. But Jerry Ponder was a retired military intelligence officer, and far from inept.

Is it possible that his two greatest critics Ray Burson and Kirby Ross are biased in their research?

In an online webpage entitled, "The Military Record of Major James Wilson", author Willard S. Bacon writes that:

"Mr. Kirby Ross who had many relatives, who served in the 3rd MSM, provided immeasurable help, in finding obscure sources and documents, from many repositories." (33)

(Major Wilson, was the commander of the 3rd Missouri State Militia, which attacked Pulliam’s Farm on December 25, 1863)

Friends of Jerry Ponder have also told me that Ray Burson, was not originally from Ripley County, Missouri, but from a Northern state, and that it is rumored his wife is a descendant of one of the 14 families in Ripley, County Missouri that were pro-Union during the war. I have attempted to contact Burson in the hopes that he could shed some light on this subject. But as of yet he has not provided any answers to this question.

Perhaps Jerry Ponder said it best when he said that:

"Some questions will probably never be satisfactorily explained" (34)

That being said, there are numerous accounts of the events that happened at Pulliam’s Spring, on Christmas Day, 1863, some official, some unofficial. Much time has passed and it is like trying to piece a puzzle together.

While we might not have all of the pieces to complete the puzzle (at this time) there are enough pieces to give us a clear picture about what happened. The testimony revealed in Speer’s book, "War of Vengeance" of captured Union soldiers that were turned over to Colonel Reeves, gives us perhaps the best perspective.

If Reeves was retaliating against the burning of Doniphan, Missouri, then why did he simply parole Union prisoners who were not in {or pretended not to be part of} the Third Missouri State Militia?

Reeves, "glared" at Wilson, he singled out members of the Third Missouri State Militia. Months before, Wilson gave his watch to his nephew with the grim message that if he were ever caught by Reeves, he would be killed.

Even after the members of the Third Missouri State Militia were executed, for good measure, one of Reeves men shot Wilson two more times in the head.

There was a hatred for Wilson that went beyond burnt buildings and farmsteads. Reeves was a Baptist preacher, and no doubt Wilson and the other men who were executed were done so by the code of Biblical justice, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Clint E. Lacy-is a Southern author and activist, a Historian for the John T. Coffee Camp, Missouri Sons of Confederate Veterans and currently serves as an alderman for the City of Marble Hill, resides in the Ozark Foothills of Southeast Missouri.

Sources:

1. "Between Missourians: Ripley County in the Civil War" , Ponder, Ozark Watch Magazine , Vol. IV, No. 4, Spring 1991 a.Linzy Dudley: The Time of the War pgs. 1,15 1918

2. "Doniphan: No Man’s Land During the Civil War" T.L. Wright Jr. ,1929, Doniphan High School

3. Article entitled "First Settlers of Ripley County" found in the book "History and Families of Ripley County Missouri", Ripley County Historical Society

4. Kirby Ross post made August 14th ,2005 on the Missouri in the Civil War message board.

5. Ibid.

6. posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31’st, 2005, Missouri in the Civil War message board.

7. M. Jeff Thompson"This is the Story of the War Experiences of Brig. General M. Jeff Thompson", pg.103, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University

8. posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31’st, 2005, Missouri in the Civil War message board.

9. Personal correspondence from Ray Burson, Ripley County Historical Society entitled, "Jerry Ponder’s Sources for the Wilson Massacre And Other Tales"

10. Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War, Ripley County Library, Doniphan, Missouri

11. "War Hero Timothy Reeves wanted to be remembered as ‘good preecher’,Daily American Republic Newspaper

12. "This is the War Experiences of Brig. General M. Jeff Thompson", M. Jeff Thompson, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University, pgs. 21-22

13. Ibid

14. "The Legend of St. Francois County: Sam Hildebrand’s Confession", Chapter 6, Reprinted from the County Advertiser by Farmington News Printing Company September 26, 1979

15. "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University, pg.103

16. "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University, pg.104

17. "The Time of the War" by: Linzy Dudley as told to Charles Booker, 1918, pgs. 1,15 (document sent to me by Jerry Ponder shortly before his death)

18. "The Civil War in Ripley County Missouri", The Prospect News, pgs.27-28

19. "Twice a Month" magazine, Sept. 2’cd,1909 pgs. 27-28

20. Ibid.

21. Missouri State Legislators 1820-2000, information obtained from the Missouri Secretary of State office.

22. Information obtained from the U.S. Forestry Service Website entitled, "The History of the Irish Wilderness" found at the following internet web address in pdf format: Irish Wilderness Country.pdf also found in the War of the Rebellions, Official Records, Volumes XXII, Part 1. Page 744

23. Information obtained from the U.S. Forestry Service Website entitled, "The History of the Irish Wilderness" found at the following internet web address in pdf format: Irish Wilderness Country.pdf also found in the War of the Rebellions, Official Records, Volumes XXII, Part 1. Pages 746-747

24. Ibid.

25. Research conducted by author at the Stoddard County Civil War Cemetery, Bloomfield, Missouri

26. "The Military Record of Major James Wilson", compiled Willard S. Bacon, and found at the following internet web address: http://www.rootsweb.com/~molincol/misc/ms-military-record-wilson.htm and from Dr. Joseph Mudd’s notes for the publication , "The History of Lincoln County", Powell Memorial Library, Troy , Mo.

27. "Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas Ewing, jr., U. S. Army, Commanding District of Saint Louis. AUGUST 29-DECEMBER 2, 1864 Price’s Missouri Expedition.", Official Records, War of the Rebellions.

28. "No Heroes On Either Side", Ray Burson, The Prospect – News, Doniphan , Missouri, Wednesday, July 16, 2003

29. Report of Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby, C. S. Army, Commanding Division. AUGUST 29-DECEMBER 2, 1864. Price’s Missouri Expedition.

30. "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", M. Jeff Thompson, Kent State Library, Southeast Missouri State University, Pg. 155

31. "Confederate Heroines:120 Southern Women Convicted by Union Military Justice", Thomas Lowry, LSU Press, 2006 pgs. 7-8

32. "War of Vengeance: Acts of Retaliation Against Civil War POWs", Lonnie Speer, Stackpole Books, 2006 pgs. 1-8

33. "The Military Record of Major James Wilson", compiled Willard S. Bacon, and found at the following internet web address: http://www.rootsweb.com/~molincol/misc/ms-military-record-wilson.htm

34. The Ponder-Bradbury-Flanders Correspondence, Ozark Watch Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 4, Spring 1991/Vol. V, No.1, Summer 1991, Pg. 4.

© 2008 Southeast Missourian

On The Web: http://www.semissourian.com/article/20081226/BLOGS0142/812269977

Civil War in Ripley County:

http://sites.google.com/site/rcmacw/official-records/1863/1863-dec-23-25-pulliams


Wilson Massacre:

http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow404i.htm
http://sites.google.com/site/rcmacw/pulliam-springs-incident

Gratiot Street Prison

http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/gratiot/gratiot.htm - list of prisioners does not include Benjamin Lewis. None of the prisoners listed were captured 25 Dec 1863 in Ripley County.

All of the Lewises are on the roster for Price's Raid.

About Price's Raid: http://bobcivilwarhistory.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-margins-of-war-prices-raid.html


Enrolled in Confederate Army:

John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis enlisted on the same day in Pocahontas, AR Dec 22, 1862, William had enlisted Oct 4 in Pocahontas, AR.

From the Official Record of the War of Rebellion

Christmas 1863 , Pulliam's Farm, Ripley County, Missouri

The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 22 (Part II), pages 749-750
PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 23, 1863. General Fisk: GENERAL: It is reported to me today that Centreville was attacked and captured yesterday by Reves, 200 strong, and that he immediately retreated south. I have a battalion on his trail today.

R. G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post. **** SAINT Louis, Mo., December 23, 1863. Col. R. G. WOODSON: I cannot see how Reves could get at Centreville without the knowledge of Captain Leeper. I can’t credit the report. You will at once organize an expedition that will go in search of Reves, and follow him. It seems to me that with proper vigor he might be exterminated or driven out of Southeastern Missouri. You have sufficient force to enable you to keep after him until he will trouble us no more.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier General. **** Note.The expedition is already on the road. H. G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding. **** PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 23, 1863.

Lient. W. T. CLARKE, Aide-de.Camp: In answer to yours of this date, I have to state that at present I am unable to give many particulars. My information of the catastrophe at Centreville comes from a citizen living near. He states that Reves (estimated atfrom 200 to 400) came into Centreville yesterday about 2 o’clock, completely surprising the garrison, taking them all prisoners, and again immediately moved on to the south.

H G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post.* *** PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 24, 1863.

General FISK: Major Wilson, with all the effective force of the Third, is after Reves, about 200. My instructions are to follow him to hell, and get the prisoners back, at least. A few of them have come in. It is even so Company C is captured, excepting a few men. I hardly believed it when I telegraphed you yesterday. They were surprised, building stables. No light, a few scattering shots, and a few wounded; none killed. A boy, just reported says he was shot at; returned the fire with small shot, wounding a rebel; he escaped on foot. I have sent a reconnoitering party to Centreville to report the state of affairs there. I will know this evening. Had not I better go this evening?

H G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post. **** HEADQUARTERS SAINT LOUIS DISTRICT, Saint Louis, Mo., December 24, 1863.

Col. H. G. Woodson, Pilot Knob:

I am greatly mortified with the Centreville affair. Where were Captain [S. A. C.] Bartlett’s pickets? I fear that the most criminal neglect has allowed this disaster to come upon us. I trust that there will be no failure in wiping out the apparent disgrace. Take hold of the pursuit and extermination yourself.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier General. ****

The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 22 (Part I ) Page 783-784

DECEMBER 23-25, 1863. Attack on Centreville, Mo., and pursuit of the Confederates, including skirmish (25th) at Pulliams.

REPORTS. No. 1. Maj. Oliver ID. Greene, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army. No. 2.Maj. James Wilson, Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry.

No. 1. Report of Maj. Oliver D. Greene, Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, December 28, 1863.

GENERAL: An entire company of the Third Missouri State Militia was captured at Centreville, Reynolds County, by guerrillas, under Reves, on the 23d instant. Major Wilson, of the Third Missouri State Militia, followed the party, and, at 3 p. m. Christmas day, he overtook and attacked; killed and wounded 35, captured 150 prisoners (13 officers), all equipage and ammunition, and 125 horses; recaptured all prisoners. Our loss, 1 killed and 8 wounded.

OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General SCHOFIELD, West Point, N. Y No. 2. Report of Maj. James Wilson, Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry. HDQRS: THIRD MISSOURI STATE MILITIA CAVALRY, Pilot Knob, Mo., December 30, 1863.

SIR: In compliance with your orders of the 23d instant, I left Pilot Knob, in command of 200 men, about 10 a. in. December~23, 1863, arriving at Patterson at 9 p. m. Left there at daylight on the 24th, and encamped at Long’s at 9 p. m., having traveled 35miles. Marched again at 3 a. m. 25th instant; passed through Doniphan, taking a southwesterly direction toward the Arkansas line. Eight miles from Doniphan, I captured 2 pickets; 2 miles farther I captured one other post, and still 2 miles farther on came upon a rolling picket or patrol, and run them off of the road, capturing 1 and compelling him to lead us to the camp of Reves.* Arriving at the camp, I divided my men into two columns, and charged upon them with my whole force. The enemy fired, turned, and threw down their arms and fled, with the exception of 30 or 35, and they were riddled with bullets or .pierced through with the saber almost instantly. The enemy lost in killed about 30; wounded mortally, 3; slightly, 2; total killed and wounded

James Wilson, Commanding Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
Col. H. G. Woodson, Commanding Post, Pilot Knob, Mo.

At Pulliams, 17 miles southwest of Doniphan.



HEAD QUARTERS POST,
Pilot Knob, Mo, Jan 1st, 1864 Gen. C.B. Fisk, Comdg. St. Louis District
Sir,
I will enclose Capt Leeper’s comments on some of the prisoners, sent here.
For your information, and will also have Lt. Macklind send a copy of the same to the Pro. Mar. Gen. for such action as you and he think necessary.

I prefer sending them to St. Louis to keeping them here, for further inquiry, for several reasons, 1st as they know every foot of ground from here to Central Arkansas. Escape would be much easier from this point. My guard house is so open and facilities for warming it so poor, I cannot keep them here during such severe weather, without extreme suffering, and possibly Capt. L. carries his personal feelings of animosity towards his potential enemies a little too far, but still as he has personal knowledge of nearly all these men, I think his information entitled to considerable weight. You will find his comments confined to two companies that of Reeves and Cunningham, who are mostly Missourians, the others from Arkansas, Israel or Hardens, he says he knows but little about, Some others have violated their oath and several were wearing Federal uniforms.

Most Respectfully, ( )
Col 3rd Cav. Comg. Post


Iron County Missouri Deed

transcribed by
Notha Stevens


Iron County, Missouri Deeds

This indenture made and entered into this thirtieth day of March in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight by and between Benjamin Lewis and Maoma his wife of the County of Iron and State of Missouri of the first part and Joseph Bollinger of the County of Madison and State of Missouri aforesaid of the second part witnesseth: that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Forty nine Dollars and twelve cents to them fully paid by the said party of the second part the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained sold and conveyed and by these present do grant bargain Sell and convey unto the said party of the second part the following tracts or parcels of land situate lying and being insaid County of Iron to wit: the South half of the North west quarter, the East half of the South west quarter and the west half of the South East quarter of Section twenty nine on Township thirty two north of Range three East containing two hundred
forever and we the said party of the first part hereby convenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns that ____ warrant and forever defend the title to the said Lands and appurtenances against the claim or claims of all persons -
Benjamin X Lewis (seal)
Maoma X Lewis (seal)

State of Missouri
County of Iron
Be it Remembered that Benjamin Lewis and Naoma his wife who are personally known to the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within the aforesaid County to be the persons whose names are Subscribed to the foregoing Deed as parties hereto this day appearedbefore me and acknowledged that they executed and delivered the same as their voluntary act and Deed for the uses and purposes therein contained and the said Maoma being by me made acquainted with the contents of said Deed acknowledged and relinquished her Dower in the Real Estate therein mentioned freely and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband.
Given under my hand this 30th day of March 1858
Wm. Suits Justice of the Peace
Filed for Record may the 18th 1858 recorded may the 28th A.D. 1858
John Edwards Clerk


By J. Huff, D C

Jerry Ponder's book: A History of the 15th Missouri Calvary Regiment, C.S.A.

He has lists of:

Those captured at Wilson's Massacre - includes Benjamin Lewis

Unit Roster of the 15th Cav. showing - note - author states that this is an all encompassing list...names may be listed in more than one company, but as need arose men were moved, often promoted:

• Benjamin, John, William Lewis. Andrew Louis - all in Company A. William Chitwood and Sampson Lewis in Co. B.
• Co. C: John Lewis - 2nd Lieutenent, D. Lewis, William Lewis
• Co. M: Andrew Lewis

Muster Roll Reeves' Company - Missouri independent Scouts, CSA Aug 1 - 30, 1863

• 57. Lewis, Benjamin - Pvt. - age 39 - no status
• 58. Lewis, Andrew - Pvt - age 21 - detailed to hospital, Little Rock
• 59. Lewis, John - Pvt - age 33 - Detailed with Capt. Cunninham
• 60. Lewis, William - Pvt - age 30 - Left sick at Little Rock August 9

Muster Roll Reeves' Company - Missouri independent Scouts, CSA Dec 31, 1863 - Feb 29, 1864, 1863

• Lewis, Benjamin - no longer listed
• 32. Lewis, Andrew - Pvt - with Captain Reeves recruiting
• 33. Lewis, John - Pvt - with Captain Reeves recruiting
• 34. Lewis, William - Pvt - with Captain Reeves recruiting


Ozarks Watch Vol. IV, No. 4, Spring 1991 / Vol. V, No. 1, Summer 1991


Between Missourians Civil War in Ripley County
Based on Jerry Ponder, "The Wilson Massacre," and "The Burning of Doniphan," previously unpublished articles submitted to OzarksWatch.


Part I: The Wilson Massacre

An unusual group assembled at the Pulliam farm in southwestern Ripley County, Missouri for Christ-mas in 1863. Nearly 150 officers and men of the Missouri State Guard's 15th Cavalry Regiment (Con-federate); at least sixty civilians, many of them women andchildren; and 102 prisoners, officers and men of Company C, Missouri State Militia (Union).

The civilians were family members, friends, and neighbors. Confederate "hosts" and Union "guests" were all Missourians; but they were divided by perhaps the bitterest of all enmities--those of civil war.

The day's activity was to begin with religious services conducted by the Reverend Colonel Timothy Reeves, commanding officer of the 15th Cavalry and a Baptist preacher of Ripley County. Then would follow Christmas dinner in the afternoon. The group at Pulliam' s farm numbered above three hundred at the very least, if the figures on the record are to be believed. It was too many for a mere religious service and holiday dinner. Pulliam's was one of Reeves's regimental camps.1

What began as a festive occasion ended in horror and tragedy. As the celebrants sat at dinner, their arms stacked, they were surprised by two companies of the Union Missouri State Militia, more than 200 mounted cavalrymen. Only those guarding the prisoners, about 35 men, were armed. The Militia attacked without warning, shooting into the crowd, attacking with sabers, and killing at least thirty of the Confederate men instantly and mortally wounding several more. According to local tradition, many--perhapsmost---of the civilians were killed or wounded as well.2

The Union force had no casualties, suggesting the possibility that the Confederates may not have fired a shot. The survivors--some 112 officers and men, with their horses, arms, and equipment--were captured and taken out of the War for good, some to die in prison. Colonel Reeves, however, escaped.3

The official report of the Union Commander, Major James Wilson, confirms the quick, bloody character of the event: "I divided my men into two columns and charged upon them with my whole force. The enemy fired, turned, and threw down their arms and fled, with the exception of 30 or 35 and they were riddled with bullets or pierced through with the saber almost instantly." Wilson's account did not explain why, if the enemy fired, no bullet shot at point-blank range found its mark; nor, if the rest "fled," why they were all captured. Neither did Wilson mention the presence of civilians, nor harm done to them.4

The Union force was a quick-moving raiding party, sent out on December 23 from the Union stronghold at Pilot Knob in Iron County, some eighty miles to the north. Their purpose: recapture of the Union prisoners. They retired the next morning taking the freed personnel of Company C, MSM, and the new Confederate captives of the 15th Cavalry, MSG.

The stunned survivors were left to bury the dead and reflect on the carnage. About half of those killed, both soldiers and civilians, were taken to Doniphan and buried in the Old Doniphan Cemetery south of the courthouse. Tradition is that the graves were dug by a few Negro men, and the bodies were wrapped for burial by town women. Other bodies were buried near where they fell in the Ponder and Union Grove Cemeteries .5

In Ripley County, well seasoned to the war, the incident was no doubt taken in stride. But it was not forgotten, and not forgiven. It remains in the collective memory as the Wilson Massacre, memorializing in infamy the commanding officer of the Union force. It became part of the vengeful guerrilla warfare in the eastern Ozarks.

The Wilson Massacre exemplifies the fact that the Civil War in Missouri was often a war between Missourians themselves. Major James Wilson was from Lincoln County on the Mississippi River just above St. Louis. The Union State Militia and the Confederate State Guard were both Missouri forces drawn from and fighting in behalf of the divided populous. The events leading up to the Wilson Massacre provide insight into that internal war.

Union sentiment was strong in St. Louis, especially among Germans and Irish. It was also strong in the river counties where Germans were numerous, and across much of the Missouri Ozarks. Confederate sentiment was strong in the Arkansas Ozarks; and Missouri counties close to the state line tended to have more Confederate sentiment than those farther north. Especially was this true in the southeast Missouri Ozarks.

Ripley County was on the Arkansas border, and its historic trade and travel routes ran south to Arkansas and the lower Mississippi Valley. Ripley County was a Confederate place. The Pulliam farm was but a few miles from the state line.

[14]

Union control of St. Louis and of Jefferson Barracks had been crucial at the outset of the war, in part because two Ozarks railroads radiated from there. The one to the southwest terminated a hundred miles out near Rolla. The one to the south, the Iron Mountain Road, terminated some eighty miles out at Pilot Knob in Iron County. The Federals established strong points at the ends of those lines, and their spheres of military influence radiated from them. The Wilson Massacre was one of many events in the continuing struggle between those Union strongholds and the Confederate-sympathizing countryside.

The unusual, and unusually brutal, characteristic of that war was not just that military lines were ill-defined to non-existent but that the citizens themselves, the local residents, were peculiarly involved. The case of Ripley County illustrates the point.

In the summer of 1861 practically every man in Ripley and neighboring Missouri counties answered the call of Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson and joined the Missouri State Guard. Jackson was a secessionist and the State Guard was considered the legitimate state force by those who supported secession and the Confederate cause. One of the principal Ripley officers was the famous Timothy Reeves, whose story follows.

After their six months enlistments expired, those of the State Guard interested in extended soldiering join, joined the regular Confederate army and left for other battle areas, especially those east of the Mississippi. Some units manned defensive positions in southeast Missouri for a time on a line New Madrid-Bloomfield-Doniphan-Greenville-Alton. In Ripley County, they built and manned a fortified position, Fort Currentview, at the state line near the strategic Current River.

By 1862 the demand for manpower elsewhere had drained these Confederate positions. Ripley and adjacent counties were left without adequate defense. In this situation local militia began to organize. They considered themselves primarily defenders of their homes and families. But by the North they were termed irregulars or guerrillas, outlaw units .6

In Ripley County two such units were formed. The Reverend Timothy Reeves, Baptist minister in the county seat of Doniphan, raised Reeves's Independent Company of Missouri Scouts, which was attached to the command of Confederate General John Sappington Marmaduke, a Missourian from Saline County. Men joined from Stoddard County on the east to Oregon County on the west, and north toward the Union fort at Pilot Knob. Reeves was able to keep Marmaduke apprised of practically all Union troop movements in the region. His command were also charged with helping maintain civil order, a job he took with extreme seriousness.7

The second unit in Ripley was raised by Reeve's neighbor, William Righter. Righter, concerned that Reeves was often absent, raised a company whose express purpose was defending local citizens against Union raids or outlaw activity. Righter soon found himself with a much larger job. What began as one company grew to several from Ripley County and one or more from each county in the region. Righter' s troops were strictly citizen soldiers who refused to be sent to service elsewhere. They would fight only to defend their home area.8

Righter's commission came from Missouri State Guard Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson. Thompson had failed to receive a regular CSA commission, despite repeated attempts. Consequently, Righter denied in later years that he was ever a Confederate colonel,and had been only a Missouri colonel, because Thompson had the power only to issue a Missouri commission.9

Righter and Reeves did a creditable job of maintaining local order. When large Northern units raided, they of necessity adopted guerrilla tactics of fight and retreat, returning after the Yankees were gone. Usually they retreated to Confederate strongholds in Arkansas; but they also had some safe havens locally or in the swamps of the nearby Bootheel lowland.

Righter was not safe on one occasion in Arkansas, however. He was captured along with Jeff Thompson during a Union raid on Pocohontas, some thirty miles down Current River from Doniphan, in July 1863. He went to Gratiot Prison in St. Louis, was paroled, and spent the rest of the war in the city reading law. He consequently missed the fateful Christmas massacre. 10



[15]

After the Thompson-Righter capture, the Reverend Reeves combined his Independent Scouts with Righter's cavalry, and took command of a united 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment. Together with remnants of Missouri units that had fought in Arkansas (Battle of Helena, July 1863) and many new recruits, Reeves's new regiment had as many as twenty full companies--actually a brigade-strength command. Colonel Reeves's brother William, from neighboring Butler County and also a Baptist minister, was his adjutant. 11

The county-based companies under Reeves were widely spread; no doubt command was difficult. Mostly farmers and merchants, the men were mobilized only when necessary for defense of the region. However, permanent posts were maintained: at Doniphan, the fords of Current River, Fort Currentview, along main roads, and elsewhere.12

The immediate cause of the Wilson Massacre was a series of events at Centerville, Reynolds County. Centerville Courthouse was some sixty miles north of Doniphan and twenty-five southwest of Pilot Knob. Late in 1863, Centerville was captured by the Union 3rd Cavalry from Pilot Knob. Company C was left as garrison. On December 21, while engaged in building stables on the courthouse grounds, they were surprised and surrounded by Company N of Reeves's 15th Missouri Cavalry, under command of Captain Jesse Pratt, before the war the Baptist minister of Centerville. Company N was composed of farmers and merchants of Reynolds County. Probably Pratt and the Reeves brothers, also Baptist preachers, were long-time acquaintances. That Pratt was accorded the honor of recapturing his hometown was not accidental.

Captured were 102 Union men with their horses. Pratt took them south to Ripley County with a small group, leaving most of his men to garrison Centerville. He presented the prisoners to Reeves at Pulliam's on Christmas morning, and joined his fellows of the regiment for the day's festivities.13

One Union soldier had been allowed to escape at Centerville, doubtless to carry news of the event back to Pilot Knob. Reaction there was swift. Colonel R.G. Woodson, commander of the 3rd Missouri, ordered two mounted cavalry companies under Major James Wilson to pursue Pratt. They left Pilot Knob mid-morning on the twenty-third.

Wilson's force rode swiftly, rising in the darkness of the twenty-fifth to be on the road at 3:00 AM. They passed through Doniphan that morning, and continued west toward Ponder, capturing pickets as they went, and descended on Colonel Reeves's group and prisoners just as they were eating Christmas dinner.14

Wilson probably was able to follow the tracks of the captured Union Company C and their guard. One hundred and fifty horses would leave a trail in December mud. However he accomplished it, he went to Reeves like an arrow to its target. His report said, "...eight miles from Doniphan, I captured 2 pickets; 2 miles farther (and only some five miles from Reeves) I captured another post, and still 2 miles farther we came upon a rolling picket on patrol and ran them off the road, capturing 1 and compelling him to lead us to the camp of Reeves." The "rolling picket" who escaped obviously was unable to bring a warning to Reeves in time. 15

During the Battle of Pilot Knob the following month, Major James Wilson was captured by elements of General Shelby's command. Shelby ordered an immediate military court for Wilson and two others captured with him. Major Wilson and the two soldiers were found guilty of murder for the Christmas Day, 1863, massacre and were ordered to be shot to death. No record has been found to prove who shot Wilson and his men, but the consensus is that members of the 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment made up the firing squad. No doubt there were plenty of volunteers for the job. After the war ended Colonel Reeves was charged with the act, but later released. 16

The massacre site has gone by many names since: Battle Hollow, Battleground Hollow, and Battlefield Hollow. It is no longer listed on maps, but residents of southwest Ripley County know the location and story. The action has become known as The Wilson Massacre. It was the bloodiest day of the war for Ripley County.

Part II: The Burning of Doniphan

On September 19, 1864, some one hundred mounted Union Cavalry burned the town of Doniphan. It was an action associated with the beginnings of Price's Raid, which culminated in the Battle of Pilot Knob the following month. But the torching of Doniphan was primarily an act of vengeance, without military significance, and was in effect an afterclap of the Wilson Massacre ten months earlier. It was a measure of the hatred the Yankees had for Timothy Reeves and his "guerrilla band," as the 15th Cavalry Regiment was known.

Later Union accounts of events in Ripley County that September focused on the bloody skirmishes connected with Price's invasion of Missouri. They ignored or covered up the burning. Only 39 years later, when a Union veteran participant, William Nevin, wrote a more complete account, did the Northern written record show what Ripley Countians had known all along. 17

By mid 1864 the war was going badly for the Confederacy in Missouri and Arkansas. Southern commanders decided upon a bold stroke: an invasion from Arkansas of eastern Missouri, aimed at St. Louis. It would also rally support for the Southern cause and recruit new troops, by then desperately needed. Major General Sterling Price, CSA, from Chariton County, Missouri, would command a three-division strike force. The intrepid Brigadier General Jo Shelby, CSA, of Lafayette County, Missouri, would command one ofthem. Independent units like Reeves's regiment would be attached to Price's force for the operation.

[16]

But the burning of Doniphan had other causes. In late August or early September of 1864 a party of a half dozen Union soldiers, Illinoisans paroled in Arkansas, were making their way from Little Rock to St. Louis. They were on foot, having given their "parole" (i.e. their word) not to fight again until officially exchanged. They were hot, ragged, tired, and hungry. When they reached Doniphan they went to the hotel and asked for a meal and lodging.

The hotel keeper was one Lemuel Kittrel, a Confederate veteran forced to return home because of wounds. His brother-in-law was Confederate Colonel Willis Ponder. Kittrel was a successful businessman and merchant, an ardent Confederate, and, like most Ripley Countians, still enraged by the Christmas massacre.

Kittrel turned the Union men out unfed and unhoused. They slept that night in a field north of Doniphan, doubtless nursing their grudge against rebel Missourians.18 They were to receive the same treatment as they continued north; and by the time they reached the Federal garrison at Patterson, some fifty miles away in Wayne County, they were barefoot, almost naked, and nearly starved. The officer of the group, a Colonel G.W. Mitchell, is reported to have requested of the 3rd Cavalry at Pilot Knob that theybum the town of Doniphan if they ever had the opportunity. 19

Mitchell and other informants apprised the Union command of Price's impending invasion, including the fact that Jo Shelby's division planned to head north on a line through Ripley County. On September 18, a Lieutenant Eric Pape was sent south from Pilot Knob with a hundred mounted men to determine Shelby's location and strength. According to the 1903 Nevin account, he also had been ordered by Major James Wilson to bum Doniphan. Pape's company arrived in the town about five o'clock the morning of September19.20

A company of Reeves's 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, all Ripley men, were deployed over the county as an advance party of Price's army. (The 15th Cavalry Regiment was by now attached to Price's command and integrated into his plans for the invasion.) About 40 of them were in Doniphan that morning. Pape attacked the little force three times, after which they retreated south on the road to Kittrel's Mill, burning the bridge over Quick Creek behind them. Pape's company crossed Current River at the Doniphan ford and rode south to the Arkansas border, the Confederates retreating in front of them. Pape then returned to Doniphan about noon.

William Nevin, who was a soldier in Pape's company, went to the home of a widow Lowe, and asked for a noon meal. (His companion was Sergeant Steakly, one of the diarists of the action.) Though the widow's husband, Colonel Aden Lowe, had been killed at Fredericktown, Madison County, in 1861, she agreed to feed them. Just as dinner was ready, she looked out the window and saw the town ablaze. She sensed instantly what was happening and turned to her guests, beseeching them to intercede to have her house spared. Of all the buildings in Doniphan, only the Lowe house and the Methodist Church (ironically built in 1847 by Lemuel Kittrel) escaped the flames that day. Nevin also reported that the smaller Confederate force returned and attacked the Yankees while they were firing the town, but were driven off by the superior Union numbers and the Federal repeating rifles.21

[17]

Jerry Ponder at the site of old road down which Wilson's cavalry charged into Reeves's encampment, background. Behind fringe of trees is Mill Branch of Fourche Creek. Steep wooded hillside beyond might have been escape route for survivors. OzarksWatch photo.
Pape's Yankees withdrew east and north toward Butler County, stopping to burn every house and outbuilding along the road. (Nevin, however, wrote that no houses were destroyed outside of Doniphan.)22

General Jo Shelby, leading the westernmost of Price's three divisions just south of Ripley, doubtless heard of the burning and hastened to Doniphan with a force of cavalry, arriving at the town in the afternoon. He was furious. He had friends and relatives there, and had recruited in the vicinity several times with good results. He dispatched 150 men under Lieutenant Colonel Hector Johnson to run down Pape's company. They were able to follow the line of destruction.

Price, traveling farther east with the central division of his command, was perhaps as close to Pape as Shelby. Upon hearing of the burning, he, too dispatched a force to chase the Yankees. His adjutant' s report later described witnessing women and children going through the still smoking ashes of their houses and barns, searching for food.23

Johnson's pursuing force from Shelby's division found Pape's company in the dark of night on the ridge back of Ponder' s Mill, near present Fairdealing. Nevin wrote that Pape' s men could hear the Confederates getting into position in the darkness; bur Pape, doubtless dead tired, did not take it to be a serious threat.

It was serious. At daybreak, Johnson attacked. The repeating rifles held him off for a time; but when the force from Price's central division arrived, the Yankees were overwhelmed. Forty-seven of the original hundred were killed; the rest fled into the woods.24

Ripley County spent the remainder of the war without significant intervention from Union troops. Doniphan, an important town before the war, rebuilt when the war ended. But it was well over twenty years before it reached its pre-war size and never again was the regional center of importance it had been. After the war a small group of Union soldiers under the command of Captain W.A. Naylor was sent to Doniphan to govern the county and appoint officials to act as county commissioners. Naylor became a leading citizen of Ripley; the present town of Naylor is named for him.

Many former Northern troops moved to Ripley County after the War, and while trouble continued through the 1870s between the two factions, by the mid-1880s little trace remained of the war. It was many, many years however, before a Republican would be elected to office in Ripley County. As far as can be learned, not one of the survivors of

Lieutenant Pape's command that burned Doniphan was ever in Ripley County again.

Notes for "Between Missourians"

1 Compiled service record of Major James Wilson, Record Group 94, National Archives, Washington, D.C.M. Jeff Thompson, The Civil War Reminiscences of General M. Jeff Thompson, ed. by Donal J. Stan-ton, Goodwin F. Berquist, and Paul C. Bowers (Dayton, Ohio: Momingside, 1988), 16-17, 65-68. Jerry Ponder, The History of Ripley County, Missouri (Doniphan Missouri: Ponder Books, 1987), 27, 58. War Department correspondence file for 1863, National Archives microfilm publication M1064. T.L. Wright, Jr.,"Doniphan--No Man' s Land During the Civil War," 1929, Doniphan Public Library, Doniphan, Missouri.

2 ponder, History of Ripley County, p. 52.

3 One of the captives was Lieutenant Amos T. Ponder who had served in the 9th Missouri Infantry Regiment, but had resigned due to illness. Though a civilian at the time, he was treated as a military captive. Another, Elijah Dalton, was home on leave from the 9th Missouri. He subsequently died in the Federal prison at Alton, Illinois. Compiled service record of First Lieutenant Amos F. Ponder, Sr., Record Group 94, National Archives; St. Louis Prison records, National Archives microfilm publication M598-0072. Compiled service record of Private Elijah Dalton, Record Group 94, National Archives; Alton, Illinois Prison records, National Archives microfilm publication M598-0014.

4 Report of Major James Wilson to Colonel Richard G. Woodson, December 30, 1863, in United States War Department, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (130 vols., Washington DC, 1880-1902), Series 1, XXXIV, Pt. l, 784. Hereafter cited as OR., All citations are from Series 1.

5 Interview with Mrs. Wash Harris by Dr. John Hume, 1889; Jean Ponder, "Doniphan During the Civil War," 1950, Doniphan Public Library.

6 M. Jeff Thompson, Civil War Reminiscences, 16-17, 65-68.

7 Letters of Captain Timothy Reeves to Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke, November 14, 1862 and June 11,1863, Library of Congress, Washington DC; reports of Captain Timothy Reeves to Colonel John Q. Burbridge, May 31, 1863, and to "Colonel Commanding" at Batesville, Arkansas, August 22, 1863, in "Loose Military Records," National Archives.

8 Address of Captain W.C.S. Lackey to a meeting of Ripley County Confederate veterans in 1901, a newspaper clipping in the Doniphan Public Library, Doniphan, Missouri.

9 W. R. Ponder, "Colonel William H. Righter," Twice-A-Month Magazine, (St. Louis), September 2, 1909, pp. 5, 6, 16.

[18]
10 Thompson, Reminiscences of M. Jeff Thompson, 202-210; Ponder, "Colonel William H. Righter;" St. Louis prison records, National Archives microfilm publication M598-0072.

11 Confederate Organizations--Missouri, a microfilm publication of the United States Army Historical Unit, Washington, DC. Letter of Francis Tate to Jerry Ponder, 1987; report of Captain Abijah Johns to Colonel Richard G. Woodson, February 28, 1864, OR, Pt. 1, 154. By these events, Reeves seems to have advanced in rank from captain to colonel.

12 One battalion-sized unit withdrew to Coon Island in the lowlands of eastern Butler County. Them, surrounded by swamps, they carried on almost a normal life even during the war, and returned home after it ended. Their commander, George Thannisch, was killed from ambush January 1864, the month after the Christmas Massacre, by troops of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment from Pilot Knob. Their report of "Captain Thannisch and two soldiers" was subsequently changed to read "three bushwhackers." Personal communication from Francis Tate to Jerry Ponder regarding Captain George Thannisch, 1987.

13 personal communication from James E. Bell to Jerry Ponder, 1987; historical information at the Reynolds County Courthouse, Centerville, Missouri.

14 Report of Major James Wilson to Colonel Richard G. Woodson, December 30, 1864, OR, XXII, Pt. 1,784; interview with Mrs. Wash Harris by Dr. John Hume, October 1889, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.

15 Colonel R.G. Woodson wrote his superior, General Fish, as follows: "Official dispatches from Major Wilson inform me that he attacked Reeves seventeen miles southwest of Doniphan, Ripley County, Missouri, about three o'clock Christmas Day; killed and wounded 35 of the enemy, captured 115 prisoners, including 13 Commissioned Officers, with all their equipment, ammunition and campage and 125 horses; also recaptured every man of Company C, captured at Centerville with their arms and campage. Wilson says that the 3rd behaved splendidly, officers and men." Daily Missouri Democrat, St. Louis, December 29, 1863.

Wilson's report to Woodson is.as follows: "Pilot Knob, Missouri, December 30, 1863, To: Colonel R.G. Woodson, Commanding Post Pilot Knob, Missouri. Sir: In compliance with your orders of the 23rd instant, I left Pilot Knob, in command of 200 men, about 10:00 AM December 23, 1863, arriving at Patterson at 9:00 PM. Left there at daylight on the 24th and encamped at Long's at 9:00 PM, having traveled 35 miles. Marched again at 3:00 AM 25th instant; passed through Doniphan, taking a southwesterly direction towards the Arkansas line. Eight miles from Doniphan, I captured 2 pickets; 2 miles further I captured one other post, and still 2 miles further we came upon a rolling picket on patrol and ran them off the road, capturing 1 and compel

ling him to lead us to the camp of Reeves. Arriving at the Camp, I divided my men into two columns and charged upon them with my whole force. The enemy fired, turned, and threw down their arms and fled, with the exception of 30 or 35 and they were riddledwith bullets or pierced with the saber almost instantly. The enemy lost and killed about 30; wounded mortally 3, slightly 2, total killed and wounded 35. Prisoners captured 112; horses, besides those of Company C, 75; also their arms, ammunition and campequipage. On morning of 26th, I started for Pilot Knob, arriving here about 4:00 PM on the 29th of December, 1863. I cannot speak in too high terms of praise of the officers and men under my Command. There was no loss on our side in killed or wounded. James Wilson. Commanding, Third State Militia, Major James Wilson to Colonel Richard G. Woodson, December 30, 1863, OR, XXII, 784.

16 Cyrus A. Peterson, "The Capture and Murder of Major James Wilson," January 26, 1906, Pike County Historical Society, Bowling Green, Missouri.

17 Sergeant James C. Steakley, "The Story of Price's Raid," Thomas Ewing, Jr., papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Letter from William Nevin to Cyrus A. Peterson, 1903, Ewing papers. Official reports are lacking and few participant accounts agreeon factual details regarding the military action at the town and the burning. Two Union sergeants later published a"diary" which obstinately provided only a biased account, failing to mention the burning. Most writings were based on those accounts until publication of the 1903 Nevins letter.

18 "Lemuel Kittrell," Genealogical Society of Butler County, Missouri, Area Footprints (August-November 1990), 91; Jerry Ponder and Eldon Dow Vandiver, The Family of Abner Ponder (Doniphan, Missouri: Ponder Books, 1989), 82, 96, 176, 305. One report had it that Kittrell had earlier poisoned the food of Union men eating in his hotel.

19 Same Rowe, "My Recollection of the Events Leading Up to, During and Following the Battle of Pilot Knob," n.d., Ewing papers; letter from William Nevin to Cyrus A. Peterson, 1903, Ewing papers.

20 Ibid.; an undated newspaper clipping from The Prospect (Doniphan, Missouri), Doniphan Public Library. Nevin to Peterson, 1903 Ewing papers. Papes men were drawn from companies O, I, and K, 3rd MSM, and Company JA, 47th Missouri Infantry Regiment. All were mounted.

21 M. Jeff Thompson, Reminiscences; Wright, "Doniphan--No Man's Land"; letter of William Nevin to Cyrus Peterson, 1903, Ewing papers. Most descriptions of this action are confused. Sergeant James Steakley's account in the Ewing papers mentions a bridge across the Current River which was allegedly destroyed by Confederate troops, but no bridge existed at this location until 1899. Not even a ferry operated there until 1867. William Nevin states that the bridge was on the road to Kittrell's Mill, which indicates that a small bridge spanned Quick Creek on the south edge of Doniphan. The road passed Kittrell's Mill about one mile south of Doniphan and continued down the east side of the Current River to Indian Ford, which was the location where General Sterling Price and General James B. Fagan's division crossed the river and encamped on the night of September 19, 1864. Price and Fagan marched from Indian Ford to Martinsburg by a secondary road. The Butterfield Stage used the Kittrell's Mill route and Indi

[19]

22 Letter of William Nevin to Cyrus A. Peterson, 1903, Ewing papers; Benjamin LaBree, The Confederate Soldier in the Civil War (Louisville, Kentucky: Courier-Journal Job Printing Co., 95), 286.

23 L.A. MacLean, "Price's Army Daily Journal," September 20, 1864, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

24 Steakiey, "The Story of Price's Raid," Simon U. Branstetter diary, and letter of William Nevin to Cyrus A. Peterson, all in the Ewing papers; Major James Wilson to Brigadier General Thomas Ewing, Jr., September 20, 1864, OR, XLI, Pt. 1,454; Morning Reports, Various Missouri Posts and Units, Microfilm Series 617, Reel 180, Numbers 1040, 1066, 1077, and 1531, United States Army Historical Unit, Washington DC; War Department correspondence file for 1864, National Archives microfilm publication M 1064; Genealogical Society of Butler County, Butler County, Missouri II (Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Taylor Publishing Co., 1988), 8-9.

Two of the Confederates were killed and four were wounded. The dead were buried at the site, the Yankees in a mass grave on the west side of the Military Road, and the Confederates in individual graves on the east side. The Confederate site became a cemetery which was used well into the present century, known as The Military Cemetery.

Editor's Post Script

Writers in addition to Ponder have noted the final Reeves-Wilson encounter. Excerpts from three of them follow. All appear to be authoritatively documented:

--From Joseph Conan Thompson, "The Great-Little Battle of Pilot Knob. (Part II)," Missouri Historical Quarterly, April, 1989,283 n:

After their capture [at Pilot Knob], Major Wilson, Captain Dinger and the others were led to [nearby] Ironton. There they assembled with the other prisoners. After being stripped to the waist and forced to relinquish their boots, the prisoners marched barefooted behind General Fagan's column to a farm located 10 miles west of Union and 15 miles southwest of Washington [in Franklin County, some 70 miles north of Ironton]. While on the farm, Confederate Colonel Tim Reeves singled out Major Wilson and five other men, chosen at random, and had them executed by firing squad. All of the others were paroled. No explanation for the major's murder has ever been offered.

--From Michael Fellman, Inside War: The Guerrilla Conflict in Missouri During the American Civil War (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989), p. 182:

Union Major Wilson died a good death at the hands of Reeves' guerrilla band....Two southern men on their way back...to their homes [perhaps among those paroled in Franklin County?] stopped off at Mr. Alexander's house in Greenville [Wayne County] and reported Major Wilson's honorable death. At the execution Reeves said to Wilson, "'Major, you are a brave man--but you never showed my men quarter.' At the execution Major Wilson himself commanded: 'ready, aim, fire!' Those two men," Alexander wrote, "though [Wilson's enemies], praised his bravery."

Fellman proposes that a"central metaphor of war [is] the great hunt," which could be stretched to include war by stealth-----common in guerrilla warfare: There were few opportunities for courageous and manly engagement with an enemy who was almost always unseen, who rarely came out to fight in the serried ranks of storybook wars. In such a nasty war [as guerrilla war in Missouri], it was unusual to look the enemy in the face, to discover in him the manly foe truly worthy of your honorable battle. Still, if you did capture the enemy, you would execute him and want him to die nobly; and if you were captured, you would be shot and would want to die an honorable death. That was the fit end of the great hunt.

Thus Fellman' s characterization of Wilson' s end as a"good death," and an"honorable death," and his context for the witnesses' report to Mr. Alexander of Reeves's chivalrous salute to Wilson and the condemned man's command of the firing squad.

--From Andy Collins, "To the Victor Belong the Spoils," Missouri Historical Quarterly, January, 1986, pp. 191,192:

As a result of the Battle of Pilot Knob, Colonel Tim Reves [sic] acquired the eternal hatred of the Union forces in Southeast Missouri. According to witnesses, Major James Wilson and six of his men...had allegedly been turned over to Tim Reves, who...had them shot. On October 24 (1864), the bodies...were found by a farmer near Washington, Missouri.

[20]

Collins writes that at the close of the war 7454 Confederate regulars and irregulars surrendered at Wittsburg and Jacksonport, Arkansas. "Of this number,'' he writes, "the Union forces refused to parole only one man. This man was Colonel Timothy Reves." But he was soon able to return home nevertheless.

In 1867, [Reeves] was back in Ripley County, when...he performed two marriage ceremonies in his capacity as a minister. The rest of his life seems to have been that of a semi-itinerant minister. In October, 1867, he married a Carter County widow and...officiated at marriages [there] from 1867-1869. Marriage books from Butler County show Reeves as a minister there in 1877....His short obituary in the Doniphan Prospect News (1885) did not even mention his Civil War exploits. (pages 194, 195)

Jerry Ponder is a retired military intelligence officer, a Ripley County native, and author of writings on the history of that area. His ancestors were participants in the events described in this article.

[Editor's note: Mr. Ponder and OzarksWatch are grateful for the advice and assistance of Mr. John Bradbury, Western Historical Manuscripts Collection, Rolla, in the preparation of the following article.]



THE WILSON MASSACRE
“The Story of Union Brutality in the Southeast Missouri Ozarks” By: Clint E. Lacy

One of the most controversial pieces of work that late author and historian Jerry Ponder wrote was his account of the Wilson Massacre in Ripley County, Missouri; which occurred on December 25th 1863. On December 23rd, 1863, members of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA, attacked and captured nearly 100 Union prisoners at Centerville in Reynolds County, Missouri; burning the courthouse down before they left. Ponder wrote that:

"An unusual group assembled at the Pulliam farm in southwestern Ripley County, Missouri for Christmas in 1863. Nearly 150 officers and men of the Missouri State Guard's 15th Cavalry Regiment (Confederate); at least sixty civilians, many of them women and children; and 102 prisoners, officers and men of Company C, Missouri State Militia (Union).

The civilians were family members, friends, and neighbors. Confederate "hosts" and Union "guests" were all Missourians; but they were divided by perhaps the bitterest of all enmities--those of civil war.

The day's activity was to begin with religious services conducted by the Reverend Colonel Timothy Reeves, commanding officer of the 15th Cavalry and a Baptist preacher of Ripley County. Then would follow Christmas dinner in the afternoon. The group at Pulliam' s farm numbered above three hundred at the very least, if the figures on the record are to be believed. It was too many for a mere religious service and holiday dinner. Pulliam's was one of Reeves's regimental camps.

What began as a festive occasion ended in horror and tragedy. As the celebrants sat at dinner, their arms stacked, they were surprised by two companies of the Union Missouri State Militia, more than 200 mounted cavalrymen. Only those guarding the prisoners, about 35 men, were armed. The Militia attacked without warning, shooting into the crowd, attacking with sabers, and killing at least thirty of the Confederate men instantly and mortally wounding several more. According to local tradition, many--perhapsmost---of the civilians were killed or wounded as well.

The immediate cause of the Wilson Massacre was a series of events at Centerville, Reynolds County. Centerville Courthouse was some sixty miles north of Doniphan and twenty-five southwest of Pilot Knob. Late in 1863, Centerville was captured by the Union 3rd Cavalry from Pilot Knob. Company C was left as garrison. On December 21, while engaged in building stables on the courthouse grounds, they were surprised and surrounded by Company N of Reeves's 15th Missouri Cavalry, under command of Captain Jesse Pratt, before the war the Baptist minister of Centerville. Company N was composed of farmers and merchants of Reynolds County. Probably Pratt and the Reeves brothers, also Baptist preachers, were long-time acquaintances. That Pratt was accorded the honor of recapturing his hometown was not accidental.

Captured were 102 Union men with their horses. Pratt took them south to Ripley County with a small group, leaving most of his men to garrison Centerville. He presented the prisoners to Reeves at Pulliam's on Christmas morning, and joined his fellows of the regiment for the day's festivities. One Union soldier had been allowed to escape at Centerville, doubtless to carry news of the event back to Pilot Knob. Reaction there was swift. Colonel R.G. Woodson, commander of the 3rd Missouri, ordered two mounted cavalry companies under Major James Wilson to pursue Pratt. They left Pilot Knob mid-morning on the twenty-third.

Wilson's force rode swiftly, rising in the darkness of the twenty-fifth to be on the road at 3:00 AM. They passed through Doniphan that morning, and continued west toward Ponder, capturing pickets as they went, and descended on Colonel Reeve’s group and prisoners just as they were eating Christmas dinner" (1)

Mr. Ponder's research on this subject can be found in his book: "History of Ripley County Missouri" , "A History of the 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, CSA: 1862-1865" , in an article published in Ozark Watch magazine (Vol.IV, No.4, Spring 1991) entitled,"Between Missourians: The Civil War in Ripley County", as well as "The Civil War in Ripley County Missouri" (published by the Doniphan-Prospect News in 1992) His research was also convincing enough that author Paulette Jiles used it in her novel "Enemy Women".

It was during this time, that the controversy arose concerning Ponder's research. Most of the criticism appears to have come from Ripley County Historian Ray Burson.

Mr. Burson contacted me several times and tried to convince me not to believe Mr. Ponder. He even sent me a packet of info that he has created to dissuade those who dare use Ponder's research in their writings. Among the papers that Mr. Burson included inhis "packet" were pieces (that he put together) entitled: "Jerry Ponder's Sources for the Wilson Massacre and Other Tales" and "Jerry Ponder On Providing His Sources".

Mr. Burson has also seemingly convinced historian and author Kirby Ross that Ponder's account of the Wilson Massacre is fictitious. However, Ponder, shortly before his death in 2005 sent me two documents,

The two papers are:

“The Time of the War" By: Lindzy Dudley written in 1918. Dudley appears to have fought under Colonel Reeves. His name does not appear on the official records, however this is not uncommon. Many men "took to the brush" in order to defend their families from Yankee invasion. It is also my understanding that Confederate "Partisans" were not afforded the same pensions later in life as Union and regular Confederate troops were, therefore no pension records would exist to verify their service. In this piece Lindzy Dudley states (of the Wilson Massacre):

“Reeves was a Baptist preacher. He backed up every sermon with his pistol. Reeves men were mean. No quarter was given or asked. He had commanded a company till the end of 1863.

Colonel Righter was captured with General Thompson and Reeves was put in command of the 15th. In November a field hospital was attacked by colored cavalry and about 100 of Reeves’ men were killed. Reeves collected revenge but he never got over the loss ofsick and wounded not able to fight back. Just shot in their beds. He talked about that until he died. On Christmas, a month later, several companies were at the Pulliam farm for a service and feed with their families. This was on the old Tom Pulliam place northwest of Johnston’s Chapel and close to Oregon County and the Arkansas line. There was a big spring there on the Mill Branch where folks in that part had picnics. Reeves did a sermon and the group was ready to eat. The well known Major Wilson, the Yankee from Pilot Knob called “The Murderer”, surrounded and attacked. The killed and the wounded were all over the field. Soldiers, their families, nearby families. All were killed. Those that could get across the creek and up the bluff on th

It is interesting that Ray Burson of the Ripley County Historical Society, would question Dudley's credibility in his account of the Wilson Massacre, yet in the book "History and Families of Ripley County Missouri" the historical society (who along with the publisher holds the copyright to the book) finds Dudley credible enough to relate who the first European settler of Ripley County was:

"In an interview with historian HUME in 1900, Lindzy DUDLEY reported that the first European resident was a "Wees RILEY" who arrived in 1802 with a Delaware Indian wife who soon died in childbirth" (3)

The other document was entitled: "Doniphan- No Man's Land During the Civil War" By: T. L. Wright Jr. and was written in March ,1929. The paper appears to be one written for a High school assignment by T. L. Wright Jr.. On the copy that Mr. Ponder sent me "DONIPHAN PUBLIC LIBRARY" is stamped on the upper left hand corner of the page.

I was able to talk to Jerry Ponder over the phone, while he was in Texas (a few months before he died) and he told me that he found the documents after they had been discarded. During the time that he found the documents (1990-1991) the Doniphan Public Library and the Ripley County library were being consolidated.

In addition I contacted the Ripley County Library's Doniphan Missouri location on Friday July 29, 2006 and talked to two separate librarians, Mr. Allen Rife and Mrs. Rebecca Wilcox. Both told me it was possible that the documents could have been discardedduring the consolidation. During a second phone interview conducted on August 7th, 2006 I talked to a third librarian Mrs. Patricia Robison, who told me that though she did not work at the library at the time of the consolidation, she is a life long resident of Ripley County it was "entirely possible" that documents were discarded during the consolidation of the two libraries in the early 1990's.

As a side note, I was also able to check out a book from the Doniphan-Ripley County Library entitled "Doniphan and Ripley County History". There is no copyright date, but the earliest entries appear to be from the early 1900's and the last entry appears to be in the early 1970's and upon examination of the library stamp on this book, and the document that Jerry Ponder sent me, they are the same and one can clearly ascertain that the library stamp on the document Jerry Ponder sent me is valid.

T. L. Wright Jr.'s 1929 paper also gives long time residents accounts of the Wilson Massacre. Given the fact that this paper was written in 1929, it is possible that the accounts could have been eyewitness accounts. Certainly they could be accounts written by citizens who were living during the time of the "Wilson Massacre".

"On Christmas Day, 1863, Major James Wilson, later captured and executed by firing squad at Pilot Knob, and 200 Union troops from Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob, passed through Doniphan, traveling on a southeast course to Pulliam’s Farm, 17 miles from Doniphan where Colonel Reeves and his cavalry were encamped. A vicious, surprise attack ensued and 35 rebels were killed and 112 taken prisoner when the fighting had ended. But worse, families and neighbors were present and, in the heat of battle, Wilson’s soldiers killed over 50 civilians. Mrs. Betty Towell, Tom Pulliam and Ed Cline, long-time residents of the neighborhood, tell that the civilians killed, in camp for a Christmas visit, included women and children who were shot down the same as the rebel soldiers of Reeves’ Regiment. That action attests to the cruelty of the war." (4)

According to historian Kirby Ross, T.L. Wright Jr. was born in 1912. That would have made T.L. Wright Jr. 17 years of age at the time he wrote this document (which appears to be a high school paper). One of the criticisms that Mr. Ross has made in his attempt to discredit Jerry Ponder was posted on an online forum on August 14th, 2005. In it Mr. Ross states (in reference to the document written by T.L.Wright Jr. in 1929) that:

"…do you realize that this version of the T.L. Wright article has a four year old boy conducting complex historical interviews?” (5)

Ross continues by stating:

"Now as to Mr. Ponder's fantabulous precocious four year old interviewer/historian, T. L. Wright, I refer you to Mr. Lacy's posting that says:

"A major set-back was experienced by the Confederate Army on August 24, 1863, when General Jeff Thompson, Colonel William Righter and most of their staffs were captured at the hotel in Pocahontas while holding a planning meeting. General Thompson was taken to a military prison in Ohio and held there for over a year before he was released. Colonel Righter was taken to St. Louis by a circuitous route around Ripley County. He agreed to sign an alliance to the Union and put up $1,000.00 bond as assurance thathe would not fight again. The Colonel told me."

That last sentence bears repeating: "The Colonel told me."

Ponder is offering this to show that T.L. Wright personally interviewed Col. William H. Righter. This passage is so ridiculously bad that it is laugh out loud funny and begs to be repeated, for you see, T.L. Wright was born Feb. 15, 1912 and William Harmon Righter passed away on November 26, 1916." (6)

This criticism by Ross bears examination. First of all, as stated before, T.L. Wright Jr. was 17 years of age when he wrote his 1st version of "Doniphan: No Man's Land in the Civil War" in 1929 and the words "The Colonel told me" seems to be more of a recollection of a story that William Harmon Righter told him when he was a young boy. Nowhere has Jerry Ponder ever wrote that T.L.Wright Jr. was conducting "complex interviews" at 4 years of age. It is also important to note that T. L. Wright Jr.'s 1929 version of "Doniphan: No Man's Land During the Civil War", matches Lindzy Dudley's 1918 version of what occurred at Pulliam's Farm on December 25, 1863.

On the same online forum posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31st, 2005, Ross states:

"And with this published account of the document in question, if Jerry Ponder’s version of “the Wilson Massacre” is to be accepted, one must also accept that Wright participated in part of the massive cover-up of the massacre that Jo Shelby and Jeff Thompson would have also been a part of." (7)

There is no way that Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson of the Missouri State guard could be involved in the Wilson Massacre or have known about it because he was captured on August 22, 1863. The Wilson Massacre occurred on December 25, 1863. General M.Jeff Thompson was in a Yankee prison in the North at the time that the "Wilson Massacre" occurred. (7)

It is possible that after General Thompson's release in 1864, that he had no doubt heard about the atrocities being committed in Ripley County and the surrounding areas, after he made his way back to Missouri just in time to participate in General Price’s1864 Missouri Expedition.

On the same August 31'st, 2005 online forum post Kirby Ross offers another version of T.L. Wright Jr.'s "Doniphan: No Man's Land in the Civil War" which he claims is the "real" T.L. Wright Jr. document and was published in Doniphan Prospect-News Doniphan,Missouri Thursday, April 2, 1970. Ross states:

"By the way, note that Wright doesn’t refer to William H. Righter as being one of his sources in this article, or of having interviewed him when he was four years old." (8)

This is true, T.L. Wright Jr. does not make mention of Colonel William H. Righter as one of his sources in the 1970 Prospect-News newspaper article. However one must remember that there is a 31 year difference between the article written in 1970 , when T.L. Wright Jr. was 58 years of age and the one written in 1929 when he was 17 years of age. Mr. Ross claims that the 1970 Doniphan Prospect News article is the "real" T.L. Wright Jr. article. Yet there is a third version of the T.L. Wright Jr. article thatappeared in the Ripley County Library book, "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War", there is no date on this piece, but it appears to be written around the same time period as the 1970 article. Like the 1970 article there is no mention of civilians killed or Colonel Righter. But there are areas in which the T.L. Wright Jr. article found in the book "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War" differ from the version published in the Doniphan - Prospect news in 1970. Is it not legitimate as wel

It appears that in later years T.L. Wright Jr. decided to cite more official sources for his revised work, "Doniphan: No Man's Land in the Civil War" and his version of the Wilson Massacre seems to follow other versions in the "Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War" book found in the Ripley County Library. This does not make his original version any less valid. Remember the 1929 version quoted long time residents of Ripley County who lived in the area.

No one knows why T.L. Wright Jr chose not to include these sources in the two other versions of his paper in later years.

Mr. Burson's criticism seems to be centered around Colonel William H. Righter himself and whether or not he was a real Colonel. In a personal letter sent to me by Ray Burson entitled: "Jerry Ponder's Sources for the Wilson Massacre and other Tales" Bursonwrites:

"The tale: That William Harmon Righter was the founder and Colonel of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA , captured at Pocahontas , AR with Gen. Jeff Thompson and then sat out the rest of the war in St. Louis. Righter is a prominent figure in Ponder's books on the 15th Missouri Cavalry, The Battle of Chalk Bluff and Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke.

Historians have not found any record of Righter's service in the CSA and there is not mention of it in his biographic sketches and three obituaries. He is not mentioned in the OR with the Capture of Thompson or elsewhere. He was merely a Southern sympathizer. Ponder got the VA {Veterans Administration} to provide a headstone which he had placed in the Doniphan City cemetery for Righter without providing Righter's service record" (9)

A “Post It” note was attached to the letter which reads:

"Mr. Lacy , Here's the real scope of Ponder's mischief. See IV- what does creating fake colonels add to the story of Southern valor during the Civil War? Regards, Ray Burson"

The fact that Burson has stated that no service record of Righter in the CSA has been found doesn't mean that Righter did not serve in some capacity. As stated at the beginning of this article, this was not uncommon, many men "took to the brush" and fought as informal companies of partisans. It is extremely doubtful that the Veterans Administration would have provide a headstone for Colonel Righter, free of charge, without some kind of documentation that Righter served in some capacity during the war.

In Jean Ponder's story "Doniphan During the Civil War", she states that:

"There is an amusing anecdote told about a group of southern sympathizers who lived in Doniphan. Living in the town at that time was a man by the name of W.H. Ryder, who claimed he was from Virginia. -- 'A gentleman from Virginia - drunk or sober.' One day all of these southern sympathizers were gathered in the town. Suddenly, without any warning, a division of the Union Army marched into town. Caught unprepared, the Southerns had to 'take to the bushes' for their lives. As Ryder was the fastest runner of them all and got to safety first, the rest of them immediately made him their colonel." (10)

If these men were ordinary citizens, then why were they afraid, why did they run? If they were nothing more than ordinary citizens, then why were they gathered in town? What was the intention of the gathering?

The fact that obituaries about Righter did not mention any military service is not proof positive that he did not fight. After all Colonel Timothy Reeves, after the war, was reluctant to discuss his war time experiences, stating that "he wished to be remembered as a good preacher, not a civil war hero", obituaries about him made no mention of his military experience. (11)

Jerry Ponder said in his research that Righter's commission came from Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson. Ponder's critics state that Thompson made no record of this. Is it possible that this could have happened? It is entirely possible. In his book "Thisis the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson himself writes that:

"About the 1st of July 1861, Cyrus Black and Miles Ponder of Ripley County, Missouri came down to Pocohontas {Arkansas} to inform me that the citizens of Ripley and Carter counties were meeting at Martins-burg to organize a Battalion and desired me to come up and take command" (12)

Thompson further states that he was elected to command the battalion and that Aden Lowe was not a candidate because of the strict discipline that he enforced before Thompson's arrival. One of Jeff Thompson's first acts as commander of the Ripley County Battalion, was to, start enlisting men as Partisan rangers. Thompson writes:

"I saw at this time the necessity of mounted troops even for my small command, and I authorized James F. White to raise as many men to act as Partizans and Flankers , as he could find with good horses: (13)

Sam Hildebrand, who later became known as a Missouri Bushwhacker, is another partisan that was given a commission by General M. Jeff Thompson. In his autobiography Hildebrand wrote:

"As soon as I could gain admission to the General’s headquarters I did so, and he received me very kindly. He listened very attentively to me as I proceeded to state my case to him - how my brother had been murdered, how I had barely escaped the same fate, and how I had finally been driven from the country.

General THOMPSON reflected a few moments, then seizing a pen he rapidly wrote off a few lines and handing it to me he said, “here, I give you a Major’s commission; go where you please, take what men you can pick up, fight on your own hook, and report to me every six months.” (14)

Even though Hildebrand received a Major's commission from Thompson, the act is not mentioned in "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson". Nor is it mentioned in "General M. Jeff Thompson's Letter Book July 1861-June1862", written by Jim McGhee, therefore the fact that there is no record of Righter's commission, doesn't mean that he was not given one by Thompson.

Yet there is another possibility in this story. If there was a record of Colonel Righter's or Sam Hildebrand's commissions given by M. Jeff Thompson, the records might have very well been destroyed at the time of M. Jeff Thompson's capture in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on August 22, 1863. In the book, "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson", Thompson writes:

"Kay spread out my maps to examine them and by -the -way I had the best set of maps that I saw during the war, for I had all kinds of military information on them, and the name and status of nearly every man in Southeast Missouri. I sat down in my shirt sleeves to copy some drawings, about 4 P.M. We heard horses running. I did not look up, but Kay did and shouted ; "By George , here's the Feds." I sprang to my feet, and sure enough they were within forty yards, with a string of them as far as the eye could reach, all coming at full speed. I gasped as if my heart would jump out of my mouth, but instantly sat down again, and said:, Kay, burn those maps." (15)

The only flaw in the Linzy Dudley, T.L Wright Jr.'s 1929 document, and Ponder's writings that I could find is the fact that Righter was not captured directly with Thompson. Again quoting "This is the War Experiences of Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson" Thompson writes of being brought to Doniphan , Missouri in route to Pilot Knob, Missouri that:

"There were only five military prisoners, being Kay, Train, McDonald , Miller and myself, but there were a large number of people , men and boys, brought into camp to prevent them from carrying the news". (16)

Righter could have very well have been in the latter group. Perhaps this is the reason that Lindzy Dudley told Charles Booker in 1918 that:

"Colonel Righter was captured with General Thompson" (17)

In the book "The Civil War in Ripley County , Missouri" it states that Colonel W.H. Righter following his capture was:

"…was taken to Gratiot Prison in St. Louis. There he agreed not to further take up arms and was paroled. He remained in St. Louis the remainder of the war, reading law. His wife, Anna Wright Righter, died there in February 1864. When the war ended, Colonel Righter returned to Ripley County and, in 1866, was elected as the state representative from Ripley County. Because of his Confederate service, the General Assembly refused to seat him and appointed a "stand -in" to represent the county...In 1867 Colonel Righter went to Mississippi and raised cotton, but he returned to Ripley County the same year and built the Bay City Mils on Current River" and that, "As soon as the Missouri constitution permitted former Confederates to practice law in the state Righter leased the mills and opened a law office in Doniphan. He was considered an excellent lawyer and had a large practice. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Ripley County in 1876" (18)

The Thursday Sept. 2d, 1909 issue of "Twice a Month Magazine" confirms that Righter:

"returned to St. Louis October 1863, planted cotton in Mississippi in 1866-67 and returned to Ripley County in 1868" (19)

"Twice a Month Magazine" also stated that :

"Colonel Righter is a typical Southern gentleman possessing nearly all their strongest characteristics. During the Reconstruction days of the late 60's and early 70's he had many "warm skirmishes" with the "carpet baggers" his county contained about 300 Democratic voters who were "slow to come under the ban". Leaving it in the hands of about 12 Republicans to handle its affairs". (20)

Righter was elected to the State Legislature in 1882, after Reconstruction, when former Confederates were once again allowed to hold office. (21)

Even without the discussion of what role Colonel William Harmon Righter played in the War Between the States, there is plenty of other evidence that proves the "Wilson Massacre" could have happened. Yankee atrocities happened throughout the Missouri Ozarks during the war and fighting between warring factions was both personal and brutal.

On a U.S. Forestry Service website entitled, "History of the Irish Wilderness", a detailed description of Union policy toward Missouri Southerners living in the Southeast Missouri Ozarks is given.

The website cites the War of the Rebellions: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, one entry in particular shows proof that the women of the area were looked down upon and treated badly by the occupying Union soldiers. Captain Robert McElroy of the 3rd Missouri State Militia (Union) wrote that:

"I am of the opinion that the women in that region are even more daring and treacherous, and in fact, worse than the men, as we found in their possession a number of newly made rebel uniforms, etc. (22)

Jerry Ponder's critics cite eye-witness accounts of Union soldiers who were present at the Wilson Massacre and stated that all of the prisoners were well cared for. But reading through the U.S. Forestry Service's "The History of the Irish Wilderness" , which cites the official records of the War of the Rebellions, one will find that anyone who was even "suspected" of being a "Bushwhacker" was taken prisoner. In Captain Boyd's (who was a Union Scout) report he states that:

"…found fresh trail of horses, followed them on Jack's Fork to the residence of Miles Stephens and brother, Jack Stephens, whom' I'm satisfied were Bushwhackers. Burned the house." (23)

Anyone "suspected" of harboring or aiding a Bushwhacker had their property burned, furthermore, in Captain John Boyd's report of the 6th Provisional Regiment EMM (Union) one will find between November 4 - 9 , 1863 ,there were over 23 houses burned , and 10 men killed, by these Union troops, the majority of which were prisoners who "tried to escape" and were shot. (24)

All of this occurred little over a month before the "Wilson Massacre" and we are supposed to believe that the Union militia treated Reeves men and local civilians any better on December 25, 1863?

There are other pieces of evidence that suggest that the "Wilson Massacre" did happen. At the Stoddard County Civil War Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, there are monuments erected in honor of Southern soldiers and civilians who were killed during the War Between the States. The monuments are unique due to the fact that they have detailed information about the individual on the front of the monument, name, rank unit, etc. and on the back of the monument a detailed description of where and how the individual died.

One states on the front of the monument: "PVT. , Thomas McKinney, Co. A, 15th Mo. Reg. Cav. CSA. July 16, 1845 - Dec. 25, 1863." The back of the monument reads: "Killed in Action, Ripley County, Mo".

Another monument is more specific. The front reads: "In memory of , PVT. , Jacob Foster, Co. A, 15th Mo. Cav. , April 18, 1830- December 25, 1863."

The back of the monument reads: "Died of Wounds, Received At, Christmas Dinner, Doniphan Mo., "Wilson Massacre" (25)

If one looks at the events following the "Wilson Massacre" a clear picture begins to develop that something "very significant" happened on December 25, 1863 in Ripley County , Missouri. An event so drastic, that the effects of it would be felt throughout the rest of the War Between the States in Missouri, and even after the war had ended.

First of all something must have been weighing very heavily upon Major Wilson's mind for in March of 1864 he told his nephew, while he was on furlough:

"If you ever hear of me being taken prisoner by the guerilla Tim Reeves you may count me as dead. I know I shall never get away from him alive. I have broken up his recruiting operations three times." (26)

Was Wilson worried about his life because he had broken up Reeves' recruiting operations? Or did he fear retribution for something much worse, that he did not want his family to know about?

One must not discount the fact that that during the General Sterling Price's Missouri Expedition of 1864, at the Battle of Pilot Knob, Missouri:

"Maj. James Wilson, Third Cavalry Missouri State Militia, after being wounded was captured on Pilot Knob, and subsequently with six of his gallant men was brutally murdered by order of a rebel field officer of the day." (27)

In an article entitled: "No Heroes On Either Side" written by Ponder critic Ray Burson and published in the Prospect-News (Doniphan Missouri's local newspaper) and dated Wednesday, July 16,2003 , another Ponder critic Kirby Ross attributes Major Wilson'sdeath to the burning of Doniphan, Missouri.

"Ross , whose article on the burning of Doniphan will be in an upcoming issue of North - South magazine, linked Wilson's death to the destruction of Doniphan "which had taken place earlier, two weeks to the day." (28)

However, in the "Report of Confederate General J.O. Shelby C. S. Army, Commanding Division. AUGUST 29-DECEMBER 2, 1864. Price's Missouri Expedition."

It appears that General Shelby administered justice to the perpetrators who were responsible for the of burning Doniphan, almost as quickly as the act was committed. Shelby wrote that:

"On the 12th of September I moved camp from Sulphur Rock, Ark., toward Pocahontas in anticipation of the arrival of the army, and on the 19th, after having received my instructions, started for Missouri, and encamped in Doniphan. Before arriving there, however, couriers from Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of Marmaduke's command, brought information that 100 Federals were in the town and pressing him back. I immediately started forward sufficient re-enforcements, but the enemy fled before reaching them, burning the helpless and ill-fated town. That night I dispatched 150 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson to pursue the vandals. They came upon them early the next morning [20th], attacked, scattered, and killed many of them. I pushed on then rapidly for Patterson, destroying on the way the bloody rendezvous of the notorious Leeper, and on the morning of the 22d I surrounded and charged in upon the town. Its garrison, hearing of my advance, retreated hastily, but not before many were captured and killed, a

Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson offered another reason for the execution of Major James Wilson. As mentioned earlier in this article, Thompson was in a Union prison at the time of the "Wilson Massacre", but he was exchanged in time to make his way back to Missouri to join Confederate General Sterling Price's 1864 Missouri Expedition.

In May of 1865 Thompson surrendered 10,000 men at Jacksonport , Arkansas. Out of those 10,000 men, only one was not paroled. Confederate Colonel, Timothy Reeves, Commander of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, CSA. Thompson wrote that:

" In a few days we finished all the paroles , except that of Timothy C. Reeves, whom Col. Davis would not agree to parole , considering him outlawed for the shooting of Major Williams { Major Wilson, this was a misprint} and five men on the Price Raid; but I must state for Col. Reeves, that he was as good a man and soldier as any in the command , and his shooting of that party was entirely justifiable; only that it should have been by such an order and form that retaliation would have been avoided.

I solicited to have this party turned over to me, that I might have them shot in due form, and Reeves men refrained from killing them for three days in hopes that I would get them; but responsibilities of this kind were not to our commanders liking , and they were turned over to Reeves to guard, with a pretty full knowledge that they would be shot.

I knew Reeves men , nearly everyone of them, and the provocation was bitter, for I had seen the blackened ruins and lonely graves in Ripley county with my own eyes." (30)

Is it possible that Jerry Ponder made some mistakes in his research? Yes. Everyone makes mistakes. But Jerry Ponder was a retired military intelligence officer, and far from inept.

Is it possible that his two greatest critics Ray Burson and Kirby Ross are biased in their research?

In an online webpage entitled, "The Military Record of Major James Wilson", author Willard S. Bacon writes that:

"Mr. Kirby Ross who had many relatives who served in the 3rd MSM, provided immeasurable help, in finding obscure sources and documents, from many repositories." (31)

(Major Wilson, was the commander of the 3rd Missouri State Militia, which attacked Pulliam's Farm on December 25, 1863)

Friends of Jerry Ponder have also told me that Ray Burson, was not originally from Ripley County, Missouri, but from a Northern state, and that it is rumored his wife is a descendant of one of the 14 families in Ripley, County Missouri that were pro-Union during the war. I have attempted to contact Burson in the hopes that he could shed some light on this subject. But as of yet he has not provided any answers to this question.

Perhaps Jerry Ponder said it best when he said that:

"Some questions will probably never be satisfactorily explained" (32)


Sources:

“Between Missourians: Ripley County in the Civil War” , Ponder, Ozark Watch Magazine , Vol. IV, No. 4, Spring 1991 a.Linzy Dudley: The Time of the War pgs. 1,15 1918

"Doniphan: No Man's Land During the Civil War" T.L. Wright Jr. ,1929, Doniphan High School

Article entitled “First Settlers of Ripley County” found in the book “History and Families of Ripley County Missouri”, Ripley County Historical Society

Kirby Ross post made August 14th ,2005 on the Missouri in the Civil War message board.

Ibid.

posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31'st, 2005, Missouri in the Civil War message board.

M. Jeff Thompson “This is the Story of the War Experiences of Brig. General M. Jeff Thompson”, pg.103, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University

posted by Kirby Ross on Wednesday August 31'st, 2005, Missouri in the Civil War message board.

Personal correspondence from Ray Burson, Ripley County Historical Society entitled, “Jerry Ponder’s Sources for the Wilson Massacre And Other Tales”

Doniphan and Ripley County in the Civil War, Ripley County Library, Doniphan, Missouri


“War Hero Timothy Reeves wanted to be remembered as ‘good preecher’, Daily American Republic Newspaper

“This is the War Experiences of Brig. General M. Jeff Thompson”, M. Jeff Thompson, Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University, pgs. 21-22


Benjamin Lewis died as a POW in St. Louis after being captured at a Christmas dinner with Confederate soldiers, family, and Union POW's. Wilson attacked and killed many.

The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 22 (Part II), pages 749-750


PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 23, 1863.
General Fisk:
GENERAL: It is reported to me today that Centreville was attacked and captured yesterday by Reves, 200 strong, and that he immediately retreated south. I have a battalion on his trail today. R. G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post. ****
SAINT Louis, Mo., December 23, 1863.
Col. R. G. WOODSON: I cannot see how Reves could get at Centreville without the knowledge of Captain Leeper. I can’t credit the report. You will at once organize an expedition that will go in search of Reves, and follow him. It seems to me that with proper vigor he might be exterminated or driven out of Southeastern Missouri. You have sufficient force to enable you to keep after him until he will trouble us no more.
CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier General.
****
Note.The expedition is already on the road. H. G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding. ****PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 23, 1863. Lient. W. T. CLARKE, Aide-de.Camp: In answer to yours of this date, I have to state that at present I am unable to give many particulars. My information of the catastrophe at Centreville comes from a citizen living near. He states that Reves (estimated at from 200 to 400) came into Centreville yesterday about 2 o’clock, completely surprising the garrison, taking them all prisoners, and again immediately moved on to the south. H G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post.****
PILOT KNOB, Mo., December 24, 1863.

General FISK:
Major Wilson, with all the effective force of the Third, is after Reves, about 200. My instructions are to follow him to hell, and get the prisoners back, at least. A few of them have come in. It is even so Company C is captured, excepting a few men. I hardly believed it when I telegraphed you yesterday. They were surprised, building stables. No light, a few scattering shots, and a few wounded; none killed. A boy, just reported says he was shot at; returned the fire with small shot, wounding a rebel; he escaped on foot. I have sent a reconnoitering party to Centreville to report the state of affairs there. I will know this evening. Had not I better go this evening?
H G. WOODSON, Colonel, Commanding Post.
****
HEADQUARTERS SAINT LOUIS DISTRICT,
Saint Louis, Mo., December 24, 1863.
Col. H. G. Woodson, Pilot Knob:
I am greatly mortified with the Centreville affair. Where were Captain [S. A. C.] Bartlett’s pickets? I fear that the most criminal neglect has allowed this disaster to come upon us. I trust that there will be no failure in wiping out the apparent disgrace. Take hold of the pursuit and extermination yourself.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier General.
****
The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 22 (Part I) Page 783-784
DECEMBER 23-25, 1863.Attack on Centreville, Mo., and pursuit of the Confederates, including skirmish (25th) at Pulliams.
REPORTS.
No. 1. Maj. Oliver ID. Greene, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army.
No. 2.Maj. James Wilson, Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry.

No. 1. Report of Maj. Oliver D. Greene, Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, December 28, 1863.
GENERAL: An entire company of the Third Missouri State Militia was captured at Centreville, Reynolds County, by guerrillas, under Reves, on the 23d instant. Major Wilson, of the Third Missouri State Militia, followed the party, and, at 3 p. m. Christmas day, he overtook and attacked; killed and wounded 35, captured 150 prisoners (13 officers), all equipage and ammunition, and 125 horses; recaptured all prisoners. Our loss, 1 killed and 8 wounded.
OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant General.
Major General SCHOFIELD, West Point, N. Y
No. 2. Report of Maj. James Wilson, Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
HDQRS: THIRD MISSOURI STATE MILITIA CAVALRY, Pilot Knob, Mo., December 30, 1863.
SIR: In compliance with your orders of the 23d instant, I left Pilot Knob, in command of 200 men, about 10 a. in. December~23, 1863, arriving at Patterson at 9 p. m. Left there at daylight on the 24th, and encamped at Long’s at 9 p. m., having traveled 35miles. Marched again at 3 a. m. 25th instant; passed through Doniphan, taking a southwesterly direction toward the Arkansas line. Eight miles from Doniphan, I captured 2 pickets; 2 miles farther I captured one other post, and still 2 miles farther on came upon a rolling picket or patrol, and run them off of the road, capturing 1 and compelling him to lead us to the camp of Reves.* Arriving at the camp, I divided my men into two columns, and charged upon them with my whole force. The enemy fired, turned, and threw down their arms and fled, with the exception of 30 or 35, and they were riddled with bullets or .pierced through with the saber almost instantly. The enemy lost in killed about 30; wounded mortally, 3; slightly, 2; total killed and wounded
* At Pulliams, 17 miles southwest of Doniphan.

This essay contains a short paragraph about the circumstances surrounding Ennis Hooper's capture on Christmas Day, 1863. Doniphan Prospect-News Doniphan, Missouri Thursday, April 2, 1970 page 7 Ripley Recalled RIPLEY COUNTY--NO MANS LAND IN THE CIVILWAR By T.L. Wright

In Missouri, the Civil War was neither lost nor won. In fact, neither the Confederate nor the Union Government considered activities west of the Mississippi River of any significance. However, to those thousands who gave their lives at Wilson’ s Creek, Pilot Knob, Westport, and at many unnamed skirmishes, those encounters were most significant. Missouri had more participants in the great conflict in proportion to her population than did nay other state in the nation, North or South. One hundred thirty thousand men, or sixty percent of the eligible Missouri males, were in service. They favored the Union almost four to one.

Throughout the four years of the war [sic], the vicinity of Doniphan and Ripley County was a virtual no man’s land. There were no major battles--only skirmishes. Both Union and Confederate troops operated in and around the area, since Doniphan and Pitman’s Ferry were vital geographic locations because of their necessary Current River crossings: Pitman’ s Ferry on the Nachitoches Trail, presently known as the Old Military Road, and Doniphan on the Greenville-to-Pocahontas road. These roads were Southeast Missouri’ s main highways. The Official Record of the War of the Rebellion contains many items of local interest to Ripley County residents. Brigadie r General M. Jeff Thompson organized and commanded the Ripley County Battalion of the Confederate Army. This unit was active for the most part at Bloomfield, New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Fredericktown, Pitman’ s Ferry and at Pocahontas, Ark.

In the Battle of Fredericktown, October 21, 1861, Col. Aden Lowe of Doniphan was leading an assault with his Confederate Infantry Regiment on a large force of Union troops when he was hit in the head by musket fire. He was killed instantly. Col. Lowe was the great grandfather of Chester “Bud” Ponder, current publisher of The Prospect News. Also mentioned for gallant action in this battle were Colonels Waugh and Hedgepeth of Doniphan. After this battle, the Rebels withdrew to Pitman’ s Ferry.

During the winter of 1861-62, numerous skirmishes occurred over the occupation of Doniphan. The area was stripped of all produce, and many families suffered for the lack of the necessities of life. Doniphan inhabitants, mostly Rebel sympathizers, feared the Federal troops would destroy the town (a catastrophe which later happened), though Captain W.T. Leeper had promised destruction would not take place so long as the townspeople remained loyal to the Union. General Jeff Thompson, in writing of the severewinter of 1861-62, mentioned men with names familiar today, such as Kelley, Peterson, Wise and Brannon, as ( patriotic gentlemen who are willing to serve anytime, anywhere) , and who had remained with him though others had left for their homes when the regiment disbanded at the end of their original enlistment.

On April 1, 1862, a skirmish of considerable size took place at the Doniphan Ford on Current River. This engagement lasted for two days, and many men on both sides were killed, wounded or captured. This action followed an order from Major General H.W. Halleck of St. Louis to Col. W.P. Carlin at Pilot Knob to occupy Doniphan and capture Pocahontas. A month earlier, Col. Carlin had reported that the Rebels had removed all ferries on the Current River.

Forces led by Capt. Leeper, a Union officer from Wayne County, and Col. Timothy Reeves, a Rebel from Ripley County, were often engaged in battle. It is reported that one cold, wintry night Reeves caught Leeper above Doniphan and made the Captain and his troops swim across the river in their underwear, despite the cold. For the November Election of 1863, Federal troops were dispatched to Poplar Bluff, Doniphan and Alton for the express purpose of guarding the polls and stopping the bushwhacking in and around Doniphan.

The worst incident of bloodshed in Ripley County during the entire war followed this order. On Christmas Day, 1863, Major James Wilson and 200 Union troops from Fort Davidson passed through Doniphan traveling on a southwesterly course toward the Pulliam Farm, 17 miles from town near Warm Springs, Ark., where Confederate Col. Reeves and his cavalry were celebrating the holiday. Major Wilson’ s forces surprised the Confederates at dinner, killing 35 and taking 112 prisoners.

Almost a year later, Major Wilson met his fate while defending Fort Davidson against Confederate troops during Col. Price’ s Rebel invasion of Missouri. The Major became trapped in a ravine on the east slope of Sheppard’ s Mountain. Moments later, when his identify became known, he was summarily shot by a hastily formed Rebel firing squad. In the squad were some of the survivors of Price’ s [sic] Christmas Day assault on the Pulliam Farm.

By the summer of 1864, the Confederate Army had suffered defeat on all fronts. In desperation, Lt. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, Commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederate Army, issued orders to Maj. Gen. Sterling Price to invade Missouri andtake possession of the State. In Southwest Arkansas, Price organized his army of 12,000 men and 14 pieces of artillery, and left Camden on August 28 to rendezvous at Pocahontas in two weeks with three Confederate Divisions commanded by Major Generals James F. Fagan, John S. Marmaduke and Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby. After three days in war-torn Pocahontas, repairing more than 300 wagons and shoeing cavalry horses, the Rebels began their invasion of Missouri.

They advanced in three columns, intending to junction at Fredericktown. Marmaduke entered the State at Pitman’ s Ferry near Current View and traveled North along the Old Military Road. By September 19, he was encamped at Poplar Bluff. Gen. Price’ s Headquarters Column, with Fagan’ s Division, moved up the center, camping that same night on the old Indian Ford, six miles downstream from Doniphan. Today, this place is known as the Ruff’ s Ferry area. Gen. Jo Shelby’ s Cavalry Division took the left route, the old Doniphan-to-Pocahontas road. They arrived in Doniphan via the Current River Ford at 3 p.m. on September 19 to find the town in flames. Only the Methodist Church, which had been converted into a hospital, and the residence of Col. Aden Lowe’ s widowhad been spared. The town had been fired that morning by a scouting party of 100 Union troops of the Third Missouri Militia Cavalry led by a Lt. Pape who had been warned of the Rebel invasion. Gen. Shelby dispatched 150 cavalrymen under Lt

Early next morning the Rebels came upon the Union scouts encamped at Ponder’ s Mill on Little Black River. They attacked, and killed or captured all but ten of the Federal troopers.; The dead of that fight are buried in the old military Cemetery northeastof Fairdealing. Two days later, Shelby’ s forces destroyed the Union fort at Patterson. On September 24, Shelby’ s Cavalry was dispatched from Fredericktown toward Farmington and Potosi with orders to destroy the railroad from St. Louis to Pilot Knob.

Meanwhile, the Divisions under Fagan and Marmaduke made an assault on Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob. During the brief 20 minutes of battle, 1500 men were killed. Most were Confederates. The remaining Confederates regrouped and prepared to attack again at dawn. That night, Brig. Gen. Thomas Ewing, Commander of the Union Fort, quietly withdrew, leaving behind only a small detail of horsemen to blow up the ammunition magazine before daybreak.

The Pilot Knob battle marked the beginning of the end of Price’ s invasion of Missouri. Conditions worsened until Price was literally chased back into Northwest Arkansas. He reached that state only through the gallant protection afforded him by Gen. Jo Shelby’ s Cavalry, the same Unit which had avenged the destruction of Doniphan a few weeks earlier.

This account is based upon the “ War Of The Rebellion”, Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, published in 1885 by Government Printing Office, as well as the following books: “Shelby And His Men” by John Edward’ s, and “ Pilot Knob, The Thermopylaeof the West” by Cyrus A. Peterson and Joseph Mills Hanson.


Died:
Gratiot Street Military Prison

Buried:
Tombstone # 19 9788

findagrave.com memorial # 93998910

Benjamin married Naoma Huett about 1850 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA. Naoma (daughter of Daniel Huett and Susannah Lawson) was born in 1829 in Unknown, , , ; died in 1863 in Unknown, , , . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LVJB-1JF
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!AGRICULTURE CENSUS

1870 MISSOURI AGRICULTURE CENSUS …PAGE NUMBER 1 2 Schedule 3 Productions of Agriculture in Township N 32 Range 3 East in the County of Iron in the State of Missouri. Post Office Ironton

1. Name of Agent, Owner, or Manager Robert Lewis

2. Acres of improved land 50

3. Acres of unimproved wood land 370

5. Present cash value of fare $2000
6. Value of faring implements and machinery 1100
LIVE STOCK, JUNE 1, 1810
B. Horses 4
9. Mules and Asses 5
10. Milch Cows 3
12. Other Cattle 3
13. Sheep 14
14. Swine 15
15. Value of all live stock $713
PRODUCE DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1870
17. Bushels of Miner Wheat 40
19. Bushels of Indian Corn 300
20. Bushels of Oats 40
26. Pounds of Wool 17
28. Bushels of Irish Potatoes 6
30. Value of Orchard Products $10
32. Produce of Market Gardens $5
37. Bushels of clover seed 1
46. Gallons of Molasses 20
50. Value of Home Manufactures $5
51. Value of Animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter !110
52. TOTAL ESTIMATED VALUE OF ALL FARM PRODUCTION, INCLUDING BETTERMENTS, AND
ADDITIONS TO STOCK $570

!CENSUS

1880 census ...Liberty Township, Iron county, Missouri ... Enumerated by Leroy (?) on the 5th day of June 1880...Robert Lewis (age 53) was the head of the household. He was a farmer. His wife, Mary, keeps house. Mary (age 49) cannot read or write. Robert's parents were both born in Tennessee. Mary's father was born in Georgia and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Robert and Mary were born in Tennesse. Their 8 children were born in Missouri. Their sons were: We. (age 22); Robertson (age 21); Joel (age 14); John (11) and R.L. (age 7). Their daughters were: M.E. (age 21); Matilda (12) and Lucy (8). None of the children were married. Robertson, M.E., Joel, Matilda, John and Lucy attended school. Matilda, Joel and M.E.'s occupations are 'at home'. Robertson'works on fare' and Me. is a 'laborer'. (NOTE: M.E. and Robertson are both listed as being 211

1900 census ...Liberty Township, Iron County, Missouri ...Robert Lewis (age 73) was born in February 1827. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 49 years and had 16 children. Twelve of the children are still living. Mary (age 69) was born in June 1830. Mary, Robert and their parents were born in Tennessee. Their two daughters were born in Missouri. Mary E. (age 40) was born in April 1860. Lucy (age 28) was born in July 1871. A grandson, Samuel (age 18), also was in the hose. Samuel was born in March 1882 in Missouri. Robert owns his own farm mortgage free. Samuel is a fare laborer. Everyone in the hose can read, write and speak English except Mary, who cannot read or write.

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Among the callers at the REGISTER office the past week was our venerable friend, 'Uncle Bobbie' Lewis of Sabula. Despite his advanced years, Mr. Lewis is still quite active and is enjoying fairly good health. May he reach the century mark. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, MD...Nov. 10, 1898)

!OBITUARY

Word was received in Ironton last Thursday morning of the death of 'Uncle Robby' Lewis, which occurred at his home, near Sabula, the night before at the age of 85 years. The death of Mr. Lewis marks the passing of another of the pioneers. Nearly sixty years ago he located in what is now Iron County and lived there until his death.

Eleven children, sixty grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren survive him. The total number of children and grandchildren is 132, but a number of these are dead. Surely, a retty large family. The remains were interred in the cemetery near Sabula Friday and a large concourse was present. A good man has gone. Peace to his ashes.

(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper Ironton, Iron County, Missouri 3/21/1912)


!OBITUARY
Annapolis News. Robert Lewis, 84 years old, of Carver Creek, died last
Thursday, March 15th, and was buried next day. He was a good man will be
greatly missed.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper Ironton, Iron Co., NO 3/21/1912)


!OBITUARY

Robert Lewis was born February 9, 1827 in Marion Co. Tenn., and died March 3, 1912 being 85 years, 1 month, and 4 days old.

He was married to Mary Griffith July 30, 1851. He moved to Carrol Co.Ark., and in the fall of the same year moved to Iron Co. No.; then to Madison Co. about 1855 or 1856. Sixteen children were born to this union; eleven are now living. (1912) He had 60 grandchildren , 32 great grandchildren alive, and some dead. Total living and dead are 132.

His last years were spent in much suffering. We are taught that through suffering we are made perfect. His words to his grandson are our consolation: He was asked of the future and he said, 'My business here is finished, Tom, I'm waiting on the Lord; letting him use me. I am ready to go.'

Cheer up dear mother and children; all was done that you could do. Now let's be submissive to the will of Him that doeth all things well. 8y and by we will go too.

A Son (This was written by Robert's son, Reverand Joel Lewis.) (Copy received from Leona Sutton Asher in August 1990)

!NOTES

Robert Lewis is buried in Emily's Chapel Cemetery (Carver Creek).

!NOTES

Mary 'Polly' Griffith Lewis was the mother of 16 children. Two children died as infants. One of the children was possibly either Frona or Ivel. Polly is either buried in Lewis Cemetery or Emily's Chapel Cemetery.

Children:
GEORGE LEWIS b. 22 Jun 1852 d. 1938
MARTHA JANE LEWIS b. 27 Aug 1853 d.13 Jul 1925
SAMUEL LEWIS b.5 Jan 1855 d. 11 Dec 1926
SARAH CATHERINE LEWIS b. 28 Apr 1856 d. 20 Feb 1920
WILLIAM A SKIP LEWIS b. 30 Aug 1857 d. 6 Feb 1922
ROBINSON LEWIS b. 13 Apr 1859 d. 28 Sep 1928
MARY E LEWIS b. 15 Apr 1860 d. 2 May 1937
PHOEBE LEWIS b. 24 Jul 1862 d. 16 Aug 1899
JOEL LEWIS b. 2 Jul 1865 d. 11 Apr 1936
MATILDA LEWIS b. 12 Aug 1867 d. 4 Nov 1959
JOHN HIGDON LEWIS b. 13 Nov 1870 d. 25 Nov 1932
LUCY OLLIE LEWIS b. 9 Jul 1871 d. 29 Jan 1963
ROBERT LEE LEWIS b. 2 Feb 1873 d. 5 Feb 1906

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
Emily's Chapel Cemetery

Robert married Mary "Polly" Griffith in 1851 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA. Mary (daughter of Samuel Patterson Griffith and Sarah Sallie Clemmons) was born on 15 Jun 1831 in , Marion County, Tennessee, USA; died on 05 Apr 1916 in Sabula, Iron County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Emily's Chapel Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LV6W-Q1F
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

1870 Census:

Name: John Lewis
Age in 1870: 40
Birth Year: abt 1830
Birthplace: Tennessee
Dwelling Number: 7
Home in 1870: Township 31 Range 3 East, Iron, Missouri
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ironton
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Cannot Read: Y
Cannot Write: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Inferred Spouse: Nancy Lewis

Household Members:
Name Age
James Lewis 15
Benjm Lewis 12
Robt Lewis 8
John Lewis 40
Nancy Lewis 35
Dilla Lewis 18
George Lewis 16

1880 Census:

Name: John Lewis
Age: 50
Birth Date: Abt 1830
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: Twelve-Mile, Madison, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 15
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Nancy Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Cannot Read: Yes
Cannot Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
John Lewis 50
Nancy Lewis 43
Robert Lewis 18




Enlisted in Confederate Army:

Brothers John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis enlisted on the same day in Pocahontas, AR Dec 22, 1862, their brother William had enlisted 4 Oct 1862 in Pocahontas, AR.

Find A Grave Memorial # 76629713

Iron County, Missouri Deeds

This Deed made and entered into on the fourteenth day of May eighteen hundred and fifty seven by and between John Lewis, Jr. and Nancy Lewis his wife parties of the first part of Madison County, Missouri and Zebulon Murphy of St. Francois County, Missouri party of the second part Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen dollars to them in hand paid by the party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged , do forever give, grant, bargain and sell unto the party of the second part all our rights title and interest in the following described tract of land to wit: The South West quarter of the South West quarter of Section five and the North West quarter of the North West quarterof Section No. eight, both in Range three East Township thirty two North, containing eighty acres more or less. To Have and To Hold the same with all its rights privileges and appurtenances of whatsover nature thereunto belonging unto the party of th
In Testmony whereof , we , the said parties of the first part have hereunto set our hands and seals on the day and dates above written.

John X Lewis , Junior (seal)
Nancy X Lewis (seal)
State of Missouri
County of Iron
Be It Remembered that on the 30th day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty seven before me the undersigned came John Lewis, Junior and Nancy Lewis his wife both personally known to me to be the same whose names are subscribed to the above instrument of writing as haveing executed the same and acknowledged the same to be their act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned and the said Nancy Louis being by me made acquainted with the Contents of the same separate and apart from her husband , acknowledged that she freely and voluntarily executed the same without any undue influence from her husband and also relinquished her dower in said lands.
Given under my hand this 30th of June 1857, Wm Smith..JP
Filed for Record June 30th 1857 and Recorded Sept 30th 1857
Attest John Edwards Clerk

John married Nancy Sarah Berry about 1852 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA. Nancy was born in 1837 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA; died in 1883 in , , Missouri, USA; was buried in Old Mount Pisgah Cemetery, Madison County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LCCV-98K
• Name: Uncle Billy
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

1830 Census:

Name George Lewis
Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Cocke, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5 3
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29 1
Free White Persons - Under 20 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 6
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored) 6

1850 Census:

Name: George Lewis
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1802
Birthplace: Northealen
[North Carolina, USA]
Home in 1850: Marion, Tennessee, USA
Occupation: Farmer
Industry: Agriculture
Real Estate: 600
Line Number: 20
Dwelling Number: 145
Family Number: 145
Inferred Spouse:
Elizabeth Lewis
Inferred Child:
John Lewis
William Lewis
Martha Lewis
George Lewis
Elizabeth Lewis
Andrew Lewis
James Lewis
Household Members (Name) Age
George Lewis 48
Elizabeth Lewis 47
John Lewis 21
William Lewis 16
Martha Lewis 13
George Lewis 11
Elizabeth Lewis 9
Andrew Lewis 6
James Lewis 4


Enlisted in Confederate Army:

William enlisted Oct 4, 1862 in Pocahontas, AR. His brothers John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis all enlisted in Pocahontas, AR on Dec 22, 1862

Benjamin was captured 25 Dec 1863 and died of pneumonia 30 Jan 1964 in a Union prison in St. Louis.

Benjamin and Naoma Lewis’s children were raised by two of his brothers and a sister:

From 1870 Census:

William Lewis and wife Abigail raised Nancy and William
Andrew Lewis and wife Angeline raised Martha Mary “Polly” (listed as Mary in 1870 Census) and Daniel

Elizabeth Lewis and her husband Thomas Jackson raised Naoma (Omy)

It is not known who raised the other children:
(Neither in 1870 Census)

Elizabeth
Kesiah “Kizzy” Kizzy married Andrew Ruble in 1877

Find A Grave Memorial #70692050

Known as Billie/Billy and Uncle Billie/Uncle Billy


!MARRIAGE This is to certify that I united in the bonds of marriage William Lewis and Abigail Johnson on the 30th day of October 1857 both of Iron County No.

John Bounds J.P. Filed & Recorded the 13th day of December 1857

John Edwards clerk (copy in possession of Linda Lewis on 2/16/1990)

!CENSUS

1870 census ...31 Range 3 East, Iron county, Missouri ...William Lewis was born in Tennessee. William (age 38) is a farmer with real estate valued at $675 and his personal property is valued at $200. Abigail (age 34) was born in Kentucky and keeps house. William nor Abigail can read or write. The other six members of the household were born in Missouri and are: Marion (12); John (8); Andrew (5); Robert (2); Nancy (15); and William (9). Marion, John, Nancy and William went to school in the year. (NOTE: William and Nancy are thought to be William's niece and nephew)

1880 census ...Union township, Iron county, Missouri ...William Lewis (46 years old) is a farmer. He was born in Tennessee and both his parents were born in North Carolina. Abigail (age 40) keeps house and is William's wife. Abigail and both her parents were born in Kentucky. Abigail and William's children were born in Missouri and are: Marion (21); John (17); Andy (14); Lee (12); Mary (10); Jerome (8); Martha (6); William (4); and Catherine (1). Catherine had the measles when the census was taken. Marionand John listed far@ laborer as their occupations. Andy, Lee, Jerome and Mary attended school within the census year. There were three other household members: William Lewis (age 19), Elosia Norris (age 16) and Minerva Hale (age 18). William is a nephew of William and Abigaill's. He is a laborer and was born in Missouri. His father was born in Tennessee. Elosia and Minerva were servants. Elosia and William cannot read or write. Elosia was born in Missouri. Minerva and both her parents were born in Ten

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

'Uncle Billy' Lewis, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, is very sick at his home near Des Arc. We hope to hear of an early improvement in his condition. (IRON COUNTY RESISTER newspaper...March 8, 1900...Missouri)

!OBITUARY

"Wm. Lewis, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, died at his home near Des Arc Sunday night after a long illness, aged about sixty five years. The deceased had lived in this county nearly all his life, and was well known throughout the county. He leaves a widow and eight children to mourn his demise and revere his memory. 'Uncle Billy' was an upright man and good citizen and the people of the community wherein he made his hose will long cherish his memory, and recall his many virtues. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Des Arc Monday evening. Peace to his ashes!' (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Missouri...April 12, 1900...copied by Billie J. Lewis)


!OBITUARY
WILLIAM LEWIS
Died, near Des Arc, No., April 9, 1900, at 12:45 A.M. Uncle Billy Lewis, aged about 65 years, was born in Tennessee. Emigrated to this state with his parents when a small boy. Was married to
Miss Abby Johnson in 1857. From this union ten children were born, seven boys and three girls, nine of whom survive his and all of whom were present around his bedside when he died. In the death of Uncle Billy Lewis, his wife has lost a kind and amiable husband his children an affectionate father, and the community in which he lived a noble and worthy citizen and neighbor He had been an invalid for about fourteen or fifteen years before he died being the result of a fall from a horse. Although an invalid,he was cheerful and entertaining in his conversation, energetic in business, and a good manager. He never belonged to any church, but before he died he told the writer that he believed that he had made peace with his God and is now asleep in Jesus awaiting the resurrection morning to receive a crown of life. I want to say to the bereaved family, 'Weep not as those that have no hope, for blessed are they that die trusting in the Lord.'

A Neighbor
(SOURCE: IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper April 26, 1900)

!NOTES

William Lewis is buried in the Des Arc (Mountain View) Cemetery in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri.

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Died:
!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

"Uncle Billy" Lewis, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, is very sick at his home near Des Arc. We hope to hear of an early improvement in his condition.

(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...March 8, 1900...Missouri)

!OBITUARY

Wm. Lewis, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, died at his home near Des Arc Sunday night after a long illness, aged about sixty—five years. The deceased had lived in this county nearly all his life, and was well known throughout the county. He leaves a widow and eight children to mourn his demise and revere his memory. "Uncle Billy" was an upright man and good citizen and the people of the community wherein he made his home will long cherish his memory, and recall his many virtues. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Des Arc Monday evening. Peace to his ashes!’ (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...Missouri...April 12, 1900...copied by Billie J. Lewis)

!OBITUARY

WILLIAM LEWIS

Died, near Des Arc, Mo., April 9, 1900, at 12:45 A.M. Uncle Billy Lewis, aged about 65 years, was born in Tennessee. Emigrated to this state with his parents when a small boy. Was married to Miss Abby Johnson in 1857. From this union ten children were born, seven boys and three girls, nine of whom survive him and all of whom were present around his bedside when he died. In the death of Uncle Billy Lewis, his wife has lost a kind and amiable husband his children an affectionate father, and the community inwhich he lived a noble and worthy citizen and neighbor. He had been an invalid for about fourteen or fifteen years before he died being the result of a fall from a horse. Although an invalid, he was cheerful and entertaining in his conversation, energetic in business, and a good manager. He never belonged to any church, but before he died he told the writer that he believed that he had made peace with his God and is now asleep in Jesus awaiting the resurrection morning to receive a crown of life. I wa

Find a Grave # 70692050

Buried:
Find A Grave Memorial #70692050

Gravemarker GPS: 37.284276, -90.626932

William married Abigail Johnson on 30 Oct 1857 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Abigail (daughter of Edward Jackson Johnson and Ruth Trout) was born on 04 Feb 1840 in , Floyd County, Kentucky, USA; died on 25 Dec 1919 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 10 May 2012

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LKYC-P7D
• Name: Patty
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!OBITUARY

Patty Casteel the subject of this sketch died March 25, 1919 at her old home on Brushy Creek Annapolis district at the age of 80 years. She was the last of the old Lewis family whose ancestors came to this country from Tennessee more than 65 years ago. Her parents names were George and Elizabeth Lewis who settled the mouth of Carver Creek just above Sabula. When they came to this country they reared a family of six boys and five girls all of whom except one was born in Tennessee and it sight be said that they were the grand and great grandparents of the Lewis Families of this part of the country.

Now let us turn again to the subject of this sketch Aunt Patty or Grandma as she was most commonly called was the wife of Uncle James Casteel of Annapolis who proceeded her to the other shore just seven years ago. We do not feel we can begin to portray the beauty, love, and meekness that were found in the sainted mother like Grandma Casteel. She was the mother of seven children two boys and five girls, six of whom are still living. A host of grand and great grandchildren to mourn her loss, Grandma became a Christian in the early part of her life and proved her faith by her works. She treated all of her children as nearly alike as she was able to do when they were young and when they became old they did not forsake her as we saw them at the grave. The saddest sight of all two sons and a daughter whose heads were turning grey were weeping most bitterly because their dear mother was gone to return no more. Even her grandchildren wept as though their hearts was broken such love as does not stop here. It w

Grandma was sick only a few hours and she spent a few moments in the garden the day before she died with her daughter Mrs. Reynolds and said to her that she was lonesome and tired of living. She will be greatly missed by all the children and none will miss her more that Mrs.Bell Lotts who was with her almost constantly for thirty years. Funeral services were conducted at the grave with singing and prayer and a short talk by the writer. After which the body was laid to rest at the side of the Husband.

Written by John Seal (Printed in the IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper. A copy of which is in the Casteel family Bible owned by John Casteel of Annapolis Missouri.) (Copy received from Billie J. Lewis in August 1990.)

!NOTES

Martha Patty Lewis Casteel is buried in the Annapolis Cemetery in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri.

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Died:
Brushy Creek

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 75909199

Martha married James Madison Casteel on 10 Oct 1858 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. James was born on 11 Jul 1834; died on 26 Mar 1912 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LHN2-DMB
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!CENSUS

1880 census ...Union Township, Iron County, Missouri ...Thomas Jackson (age 38), head of the household, is a farmer. His wife, Elizabeth (age 39), keeps house. Thomas nor Elizabeth can read or write. Their three sons are: William (age 18), James (age 10 or 11) and John (age 6). They listed two daughters, Priscilla (age 9) and Bea (age 4). Elizabeth and both her parents were born in Tennessee. Thomas and his parents were born in Missouri. The five children were all born in Missouri. William and James attended school this year. William's occupation is given as fare laborer. There is also a servant, Oma Lewis (age 18), who attended school this year. Oma is single. She was born in Missouri and her father was born in Tennessee. (**NOTE: Oma Lewis, listed as a servant, is the niece of Elizabeth Lewis Jackson, and daughter of Elizabeth's brother, Benjamin and his wife Oma, who both died during the Civil War. Benjamin's siblings raised his children)

!NOTES

In 1973, Vincent Jackson was living in Annapolis, Missouri. He is a grandson of Elizabeth and Thomas Jackson

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Benjamin (died 30 Jan 1864) and Naoma Huett Lewis (died Dec 1863) :
Benjamin and Naoma Huett Lewis’s children were raised by two of his brothers and a sister:

From 1870 Census:

William Lewis and wife Abigail raised Nancy and William
Andrew Lewis and wife Angeline raised Martha Mary “Polly” (listed as Mary in 1870 Census) and Daniel

Elizabeth Lewis and her husband Thomas Jackson raised Naoma (Omy)

It is not known who raised the other children:
(Neither in 1870 Census)

Elizabeth
Kesiah “Kizzy” Kizzy married Andrew Ruble in 1877

Birth:
Birth date per death certificate

Buried:
Unmarked Grave, but probabley next to husband's marked grave

Elizabeth married Thomas Jackson about 1857 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Thomas (son of John L. Jackson) was born on 10 Nov 1832 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 10 Jul 1885 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Lewis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: MGLS-DVZ
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE

This is to certify that Andrew Lewis and Angaline Rose were married by me on the 17th day of February 1867.

I M Rany
Justice of the Peace
Filed March 5th 1867
Attest J Huff Recorder
By J T Aker D.R
(copy in possession of Linda Lewis on 2/17/1990)

!CENSUS

1880 census ...Union township, Iron county, Missouri ... Andrew Lewis (age 35) is a blacksmith. Andrew and both his parents were born in Tennessee. Angeline (age 32) and her parents were born in Missouri. Andrew and Angeline have two daughters, Jane (age 11) and Eviline (age 2). They have one son, John A. (age 3). The three children and Elizabeth Rose were all born in Missouri. Elizabeth Rose (age 17) is a boarder in the house. Her occupation is servant. Jane and Elizabeth Rose attended school this year.

!NOTES

Andrew and Angeline (Rose) Lewis' granddaughter, Ida Alcorn, lived in Ironton in 1913.

Children:
JANE LEWIS
JOHN A LEWIS
EVILINE LEWIS

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Benjamin and Naoma Lewis’s children were raised by two of his brothers and a sister:

From 1870 Census:

William Lewis and wife Abigail raised Nancy and William
Andrew Lewis and wife Angeline raised Martha Mary “Polly” (listed as Mary in 1870 Census) and Daniel

Elizabeth Lewis and her husband Thomas Jackson raised Naoma (Omy)

It is not known who raised the other children:
(Neither in 1870 Census)

Elizabeth
Kesiah “Kizzy” Kizzy married Andrew Ruble in 1877

Civil War

22 Dec 1862
Pocahontas, Randolph, Arkansas, USA
enlisted in Pocahontas - 15th Calvary under Captain Reeves in the same company (A) on the same day as his brother Benjamin.

Enlisted in Confederate Army:

Brothers John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis enlisted on the same day in Pocahontas, AR Dec 22, 1862. Another brother, William, had enlisted Oct 4, 1862 in Pocahontas, AR.


Enrolled in Confederate Army:

Brothers John and Andrew and Benjamin Lewis enlisted on the same day in Pocahontas, AR Dec 22, 1862, their brother William had enlisted Oct 4 , 1862 in Pocahontas, AR.

Buried:
findagrave memorial # 70319935

no grave marker

Andrew married Angeline Jackson on 17 Feb 1867 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Angeline (daughter of John Lee Jackson and Jane Cravens) was born on 27 Dec 1847 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 14 Apr 1914 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Lewis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KP49-W5J
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!CENSUS

1880 CENSUS ...Union Township, Iron County, Missouri ...James Lewis (age 33) and both his parents were born in Tennessee. He is a laborer who could not read or write. His wife, Lucinda (age 29) and both her parents were born in Missouri. Lucinda's occupation is keeping house. Lucinda and James Lewis' four sons were all born in Missouri: Napolon (7), Andrew (5), Edward B. (3) and Washington (age 1).

!NOTES

James and Lucinda Lewis are buried in the Wallis Cemetery near Des Arc in Missouri. The double tombstone has:

Lewis
Lucinda James
1850-1907 1846-1918

There is another tombstone that has the following on it:

Mary A.
Dau of J & L Lewis

Born Nov 20, 1873
Died Dec. 30, 1875


Children:

NAPOLEON LEWIS
MARY A LEWIS b. 20 Nov 1873 d. 30 Dec 1875
ANDREW LEWIS
EDWARD B LEWIS
ZELL WASHINGTON LEWIS b. 13 Nov 1878 d. 18 Jul 1958
ELI LEWIS
TONEY LEWIS
FRED LEWIS

Above research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

James Lewis, age 72, died at the home of his son, N. A., Saturday night after an illness of about a year. Last winter he had the smallpox from which he never fully recovered. However, it was only within the past two weeks he had become bedfast. The remains were shipped to Des Arc, MO for burial, that place being the deceased's former home. The corpse was accompanied by his wife and his sons, Drew, Ed, and Toney. Mr. Lewis was county judge at Des Arc for a term or two, and he has hosts of friends residing at that place. Mr. Lewis had been married twice. In 1871 he was married to Miss Lucinda Wallace. To them were born 9 children, 8 of whom are living. She died in 1908. In 1911 he was married to Mrs. Anna Williams, his present wife. Mr. Lewis came to this place from Des Arc in 1914 and had been a resident ever since. He was counted among our citizens.

-source unknown but was from a newspaper article given to Randall D. Lewis from his father Jerrel Wayne Lewis. Jerrel Wayne received this photocopy from his brother Paul Vernon Lewis.

Died:
James Lewis, age 72, died at the home of his son, N. A., Saturday night after an illness of about a year. Last winter he had the smallpox from which he never fully recovered. However, it was only within the past two weeks he had become bedfast. The remains were shipped to Des Arc, MO for burial, that place being the deceased's former home. The corpse was accompanied by his wife and his sons, Drew, Ed, and Toney. Mr. Lewis was county judge at Des Arc for a term or two, and he has hosts of friends residing at that place. Mr. Lewis had been married twice. In 1871 he was married to Miss Lucinda Wallace. To them were born 9 children, 8 of whom are living. She died in 1908. In 1911 he was married to Mrs. Anna Williams, his present wife. Mr. Lewis came to this place from Des Arc in 1914 and had been a resident ever since. He was counted among our citizens.
-source unknown but was from a newspaper article given to Randall D. Lewis from his father Jerrel Wayne Lewis. Jerrel Wayne received this photocopy from his brother Paul Vernon Lewis.

James married Lucinda Wallis on 06 Nov 1870 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Lucinda (daughter of Andrew Wallis and Nancy Elizabeth McFadden) was born on 06 Sep 1850 in Unknown, , , ; died on 16 Apr 1907 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Wallis-Lewis Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Laura Ann Green on 02 Dec 1908 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Laura was born on 04 Jan 1865 in , , Illinois, USA; died on 05 Mar 1945 in Union Township, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in White Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Hepsy
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NOTES

Hepsy and William Ruble's granddaughter, Maude Sutton, was living in Annapolis, Missouri in 1973.

!CENSUS

1880 census ...Union township, Iron County, Missouri ...William Ruble (age 29) is a farmer. His wife, Hepsy (age 28), keeps house. William nor Hepsy can read or write. Their daughters are: Elizabeth (age 10), Martha (age 8) and Mary (age 1). Their sons are: James A. (age 4) and William (age 3). Elizabeth and Martha attended school this year. William, his parents and all 5 of the children were born in Missouri. Hepsy and both her parents were born in Tennessee.

!NOTES
Hepsy Ruble Lewis is buried in the Sutton Cemetery in Iron County, Missouri.

Children:
MALINDA ELIZABETH RUBLE b. 27 Feb 1870 d. 15 Sep 1945
MARTHA RUBLE
ANNA RUBLE
JAMES ANDREW RUBLE b. 25 May 1875 d. 8 Nov 1948
THOMAS WILLIAM RUBLE b. 15 May 1877 d. 3 Mar 1961
MARY RUBLE

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
Find a Grave Memorial # 91849321

Hepsiba married William Ruble on 05 Mar 1869 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. William (son of Henry Ruble and Malinda Skiles) was born on 12 May 1849 in Vulcan, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 01 Sep 1907 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Vulcan, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: GXP6-CC2
• Created: 06 Apr 2012

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9XYD-9N4
• Created: 06 Apr 2012

Notes:

NEEDED TO BE LOCATED TO VERIFY
NEEDS MORE RESEARCH... POSSIBILITY
1880 Henderson County, Tennessee
21.21
Elizabeth Lewis 41 all born TN, parents born TN
James W. Lewis 20
Mary E. Lewis 18
John C. Lewis 17
Robbert Lewis 16
22.22
Wiley McBride 56 TN TN TN
Nancy McBride 31 TN TN TN
William McBride 18 TN TN TN
23.23
James McBride age 51 and family

Family/Spouse: William McBride. William was born about 1846. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KJWK-MNJ
• Created: 06 Apr 2012

Notes:

Buried:
Skurlock Cemetery

Martha married Obediah "Oba" T. Earles on 01 Mar 1868 in , White County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9WBC-CMP
• Created: 13 May 2012

Notes:

1854
Jan
Birth
Tennessee, USA

1860
Age: 6
Residence
Van Buren, Tennessee, United States

1870
Age: 16
Residence
District 2, White, Tennessee, United States
1 source citation
1873
19 Oct
Age: 19

Marriage to Nathan Earles
White, Tennessee
Groom's Name: Nathan Earles Bride's Name: Mary Hail Marriage Date: 19 Oct 1873 Marriage Place: White,Tennessee

1880
Age: 26
Residence
District 3, White, Tennessee, United States

1900
Age: 46
Residence
Elixir & Washington Townships, Boone, Arkansas
in 1900 Mary showed she had no children, no living children

Residence
Tennessee

Mary married Nathan Earles on 19 Oct 1873 in , White County, Tennessee, USA. Nathan was born on 28 Jul 1850 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA; died on 08 Aug 1900 in , Boone County, Arkansas, USA; was buried in , Boone County, Arkansas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 13 May 2012

Notes:

1857
Feb
Birth
White, Tennessee, USA
death cert shows Bledsoe, Tennessee

1860
Age: 3
Residence
Van Buren, Tennessee, United States

1870
Age: 13
Residence
District 2, White, Tennessee, United States

1872
15 Jul
Age: 15

Marriage to Rebecca Earles
White, Tennessee, USA
Groom's Name: Isham Hale Bride's Name: Rebecca Earles Marriage Date: 15 Jul 1872 Marriage Place: White,Tennessee

1880
Age: 23
Residence
District 3, White, Tennessee, United States

1891
19 Aug
Age: 34

Marriage to Nancy ADAIR
White, Tennessee

1900
Age: 43
Residence
Civil District 3, White, Tennessee

1910
Age: 53
Residence
Civil District 1, White, Tennessee

1920
Age: 63
Residence
Civil District 3, Warren, Tennessee

1926
7 Feb
Age: 69

Death
Warren, Tennessee

Residence
Tennessee

Burial
Mt Zion Cemetery, Warren, Tennessee
info on death cert

Courtesy Notha Stevens:

I think this is the correct Isham Hale, he was there in 1920, and through the death cert. of wife, Nancy Adair Hale, we know they were there in 1926, Isham died on Feb 7, and shows he was married, Nancy died Feb 25 and shows she was widowed


Name: Isham Hale Event: Death Event Date: 07 Feb 1926 Event Place: Warren, Tennessee Gender: Male Marital Status: Married Race or Color: White Age: 72 Estimated Birth Year: 1854 Birth Date: Birthplace: Bledsoe Co, Tenn Spouse: Father: Father's Birthplace: Mother: Mother's Birthplace: Occupation: Farmer Street Address: Residence: Cemetery: Mt Zion Graveyard Burial Place: Burial Date: 08 Feb 1926 Informant: Additional Relatives: Digital Folder Number: 4183286 Image Number: 2386 Film Number: 1876711 Volume/Page/Certificate Number: cn 4877

NOTE: child Isaac M. was born in MISSOURI, this birth fits as the time period that Mary Hale arrived in Iron County, Missouri.
Name: ISHAM HALE Spouse: REBECCA EARLS Marriage Date: 15 Jul 1872 County: White State: TN


Title: Census
Page: District 3, White, Tennessee 426B
Note: Isham HALE Self M Male W 26 TN Farmer TN TN
Rebecca HALE Wife M Female W 25 TN Keeping House TN SC
Isaac M. HALE Son S Male W 4 MO TN TN
Van HALE Son S Male W 1 TN TN TN
Date: 1880

1900 White County, Tennessee -District 3
#198
Isam Hale Feb 1857 49 mrr 10 yrs TN TN TN
Nancy wife Oct 1855 44 mrr 10 yrs 5 children 4 living TN TN TN
Robert B. son Apr 1889 11 TN TN TN
Mansford son Apr 1889 11 TN TN TN
Frank son Aug 1892 7 TN TN TN
Jim son Jul 1895 4 TN TN TN
Van son Sep 1878 21 TN
Date: 21 Jun 1900

#199
William Hale 19 Tenn Sept 1880
Loucinda 20 Tenn Feb 1880 married 2 years
Maggie 0 Tenn May 1900 1month

1910 White County, Tennessee -first district
71.71
Isom Hale 57 marr 3 age 1rst 21 Tenn Tenn Tenn stenographer
Nancy 54 marr 1 kids 4/4 Tenn Tenn Tenn
Frank 27 Tenn son
Mansford 20 Tenn son
Breonsford 21 Tenn son
James 14 Tenn son

NOTE: is William N. Hale a son that has been missed due to the 1890 missing census??
1910 White County, Tennessee -District 1
278.281
William N. Hale 29 marr1 12yrs Tenn Tenn Tenn
Cinda 30 marr 12yrs Tenn Tenn Tenn 3/3 children
Mattie 10 Tenn
Minnie 6 Tenn
Leon 3 Tenn
279.282
Van Hale 30 marr5yrs Tenn Tenn Tenn farm laborer
Effie 22 3/3 kids Tenn Tenn Tenn
Susie E. 4 Tenn
Levi Dillon 2 Tenn
Thomas D. 1 Tenn

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 82440794

Family/Spouse: Rebecca Earles. Rebecca was born on 16 Nov 1854 in , McMinn County, Tennessee, USA; died on 10 Sep 1882 in , White County, Tennessee, USA; was buried in Skurlock Cemetery, White County, Tennessee, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isom/Isham married Nancy Adair on 19 Aug 1891 in , White County, Tennessee, USA. Nancy was born in Oct 1855 in , White County, Tennessee, USA; died on 25 Feb 1926 in , Warren County, Tennessee, USA; was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Warren County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9XYD-9NZ
• Created: 13 May 2012

Notes:

Iron County, Missouri marriagesName: Isaac Brewer Marriage
Date: 1 Apr 1875
Marriage County: Iron
spouse Name: Eveline Hale

Iron County, Missouri marriages
Name: John Brewer
Marriage Date: 3 Oct 1878
Marriage County: Iron
Spouse Name: Eva Brewer


Title: Census
Note: Reynolds County Webb Missouri page517B, 1880.
John Brewer 30 MO farmer MO MO
Evaline 22 KY MO MO
Hale Pollie Mother-in-law 52 MO MO MO.

Title: Census
Page: Iron County Union twp page 6B ED 47
Note: Brewer John Oct 1849 50 mrr 21 yrs MO MO MO
Evaline wife Oct 1857 42 mrr 21 yrs 7 children 2 living TN ? MO
James E. son Sep 1882 17 MO MO TN
Ora M. daughter Apr 1885 15 MO MO TN
Date: 1900

Title: Census
Page: Iron County Union twp Missouri
Note: Brewer John 60 mrr 30 yrs MO MO MO farmer
Evaline wife 52 mrr 30 7 children 2 living TN TN TN
Lewis James son=in=law 26 mrr 3 yrs MO MO TN
Orra M. grand daughter mrr 3 2 children 2 living MO MO MO
Orvil J. grandson 3 MO MO MO
____?B. grand daughter 5/12 MO MO MO
Date: 1910

1840 Madison County (not this Isaac Brewer, too early)
State of Missouri,
Lemons, Samuel & Isaac; Brewer, W.
Riot / Assault on Eliab Dunn

ANNAPOLIS CEMETERY, IRON COUNTY, MISSOURI Location: Highway 49, North Annapolis, Missouri
BREWER, John 5 Oct 1849 - 11 May 1915
BREWER, Evaline 11 Oct 1857 - 24 Oct 1945
Have not located Evaline and family after the 1910 census
Brewer, Evaline (Hale)
Evaline (Hale) Brewer, daughter of Jim and Polly Hale, was born in Cumberland Mountain, Tennessee, on October 11, 1856, and passed away at her home in Annapolis on October 23, 1945.
She was united in marriage to Isaac Brewer at the age of 16 years, and after six months he was taken sick and passed away.
After two years she was united in marriage to John Brewer. To this union four children were born, two whom passed away in infancy. One son, James Edwin Brewer, and one daughter, Ora Brewer Lewis, passed away several years ago. There are two grandsons, Darwin and Orville Lewis, of St. Louis; one granddaughter, Mrs. Madelyn Sullivan, of St. Louis; nine great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends who mourn her passing.
"Aunt Eva," as she was better known, professed a hope in Christ at the early age of 14 years. She united with the General Baptist Church of which she always was a true and faithful member. Her greatest pleasure was when she could talk with someone on the Bible and of God's mercy and His great love.
Now that we realize she is indeed gone, we feel assured that our loss is her eternal gain.
We cannot mourn for her her as we feel that she is free from the cares, pains and troubles of this world.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...Ironton, Missouri...November 15, 1945)
Submitted by Linda Lewis

Evaline married Issac Brewer on 01 Apr 1875 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Issac (son of Howell Brewer and Nancy J. Sutton) was born in 1851 in , , Missouri, USA; died before Oct 1878 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Evaline married John J. Brewer on 03 Oct 1878 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. John (son of Howell Brewer and Nancy J. Sutton) was born on 05 Oct 1849 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; died on 11 May 1915 in Union Township, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LRWK-3M8
• Created: 12 Jun 2014

Catherine married Gilbert Johnson on 21 Apr 1878 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Gilbert was born in 1850 in , Powell County, Kentucky, USA; died in 1924 in , , Kansas, USA; was buried in 1924 in Piedmont Cemetery, Piedmont, Greenwood County, Kansas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L6KL-ZCC
• Name: Slusher
• Created: 02 Jan 2020

Notes:

1880 Census:

Minerva Hale, 18 years old is listed as a servant in the household of her uncle, William Lewis.

Living on the farm next door is David Slusher and his family. One of his sons, James, has already left the farm. James is the future husband of Minerva.


Died:
Annapolis, MO March 7, 1925

Minervia Hale was born in Middle Tennessee, March 4, 1862, and came to Missouri in 1872.

She was married to Monroe Slusher in 1880, and to this union were born ten children, eight of whom are still living. Our dear mother died February 11, 1925 , at the age of 62 years, 11 months and 7 days.

She left three sons, five daughters, twenty grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two sisters, one brother and a host of friends to mourn her loss.

She was converted in 1878 and united with the church and lived a devoted Christian life until her death. She was one among the best Christian in Annapolis.
The procession that followed her to the church house gave evidence of how she was loved. The funeral was preached by Rev. J.W. Alcorn from first Corinthians 15 chapter and latter part of 54th verse: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 18945541

Minerva married James Monroe Slusher in 1880. James was born on 24 Dec 1860 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 31 Aug 1902 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9J7V-PFB
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Marriage Date; 19 August 1869 Ozark County, MO
Source: Marriages of Ozark County, MO, 1851-1895.
Richard Sallee and Mary Jane Griffith, 19 August 1869.
1870 Ozark County, Missouri
117.116
Richard Salee 19 MO
Mary Jane Salee 19 TN
Levi Salee 17 Mo
Sarah A Salee 13 MO

1880 Marion, Ozark County, Missouri
154.154
Richard L. Sallee 28 Mo
Mary Jane Sallee 28 TN
Martha C. Sallee 10 Mo
Rebecca S. Sallee 7 Mo
Sarah Evalin Sallee 4 Mo
Robinson Sallee 1 Mo
Ozark County Missouri, 1900.
Sallee Richard L. may 1851 49 mrr 30 yrs mo mo mo
Mary J. wife apr 1851 49 mrr 30 yrs 8 children 6 living tn tn tn
Martha C. dau nov 1871 mo mo tn
Rebecca E, dau sept 1873 26 mo mo tn
Robert G. son nov 1879 21 mo mo tn
Ery A. son apr 1883 17 mo mo tn
Samuel S. son f eb 1886 14 mo mo tn
Mary E. dau dec 1889 11 mo mo tn.

Tulsa County Oklahoma Owasso, 1910.
Salllee Richard L. 58 mrrx1 40 yrs mo us il farmer
Mary wife 58 mx1 40 yrs 8 children 6 living tn tn tn
Martha C. dau 38 mo mo tn
Rebecca dau 36 mo mo tn
Abraham son 26 mo mo tn
Samuel S. son 23 mo mo tn
Mary E. dau 21 mo mo tn.
1920 Collinsville, Tulsa County, Oklahoma
53.53
Richard L. Sallie 68 Missouri US US
Mary J 68 TN TN TN
Martha C 49 Mo Mo TN
Rebeca E. 45 MO MO TN
Ira 36 MO Mo TN
Mary E. 31 MO MO TN
1930 Collinsville, Tulsa County, Oklahoma
71.75
Richard Sallee 78 MO ILL ILL
Mary J Sallee 78 TN TN TN
Martha Sallee 58 MO
Betty Sallee 55 MO
Ira Sallee 45 MO

- courtesy Notha Stevens


Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 81888222

Mary married Richard Lockart Sallee on 19 Aug 1869 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. Richard was born on 18 May 1851 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA; died on 28 Mar 1940 in Collinsville, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States; was buried in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LJ41-J8Y
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Name: Mrs. Sarah Adaline Sallee
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1873
Marriage County: Ozark
Spouse Name: Rolly Griffith

death cert. of Rolla Griffith shows birth and death dates and places, informant was Adline Griffith,
death was due to an accidental fall from a wagon, parents listed are Roberson Griffith and Catherine Lewis, burial was in Hicks Cemetery

death cert of Sarah Adaline Griffith lists her birth and death dates and information. It shows her residence as Long Run, Ozark, Missouri, althougth death was in West Plains, Howell County, Missouri. Mrs. William Roberts of West Plains. Parents are shows as (F?)rahama Griffith and Martha Green. burial was in Hicks Cemetery. Informations shows she was widowed and spous listed is Rolla Griffith, but shows (2) marriages

1880 Ozark County, Missouri - Jasper twnshp
183.183
Rolla Griffith 27 Ark
Sarah Adaline 24 Mo
Mary M. 6 Mo
Martha 5 Mo
Samuel 3 Mo
John Sallee 18 Mo
NOTE:In 1880 James H. Sallee's eldest son John W. Sallee was living in Rolla's household as a farm laborer.

1900 Ozark County, Missouri -Big Creek
Rolah Griffith 42 Ark Mo Mo
Sarah 44 Mo
Mary M 26 Mo
Clemmie 17 Mo
Isaac 4 Mo
Annie Jones 29 Ark Mo Mo

1910 Ozark County , Missouri- Big Creek twp pg 202
Griffith Rolla 56 mrrX1 37 yrs AR TN TN
Sarah wife 54 mrrX1 37 yrs 5 children 5 living MO IN IL
Mary dau 36 single MO
Jesse son 18 single MO
1920 Big Creek, Ozark County, Missouri
113.113
Adeline S Griffith 64 MO IND ILL widow
Mary Griffith 46 MO ARK MO dau

1930 Big Creek, Ozark County, Missouri
44.45
Adeline Griffith 74 MO IND ILL widow
Mary Griffith 56 MO Mo Mo dau


Hicks Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri
griffith rolla may 221853-sept 16-1917
griffith adline dec 1-1855-feb 13-1946
griffith mary m jan 1-1874-aug 28-1934
griffith jesse oct 3-1891-jan 11-1960
griffith della oct 14-1893 -nov 15-1972

-courtesy Notha Stevens

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 42815105

Family/Spouse: Sarah Adeline Sallee. Sarah was born on 01 Dec 1855 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA; died on 13 Feb 1946 in West Plains, Howell County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Hicks Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 2X9W-NFJ
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Name: Elisabeth Griffith Marriage Date: 8 Oct 1871 Marriage County: Ozark Spouse Name: James W Willhoit
1880 Ozark County, Missouri -Marion twnshp
140.140
James Willhoit 29 Tenn NC NC
Elizabeth 25 ARK TN TN
John R. 6 MO
Alford R. 4 MO
Thomas B. 1 MO

1910 Ozark County Missouri Big Creek twp
Willhoit Jim W. 56 mrX1 38 yrs TN TN TN
Elizabeth 55 MRRX1 38 yrs 6 /6 living AR TN TN
Cutberth Dora granchild 16 MO MO MO.

1920 Ozark County Missouri Big CRK pg 199, 16&17 Apr 1920.
Willhoit James W. 69 IN NC TN
Elizabeth wife 65 ARK TN

death cert. of Elizabeth Willhoit shows birth and death dates and places, shows she was born in Ozark Co., Missouri -spouse shown as James W. Willhoit. undertaker was James W. Willhoit, informant shown as Hester Ann Gray of Longreen, Mo. burial was in Lutie Cemetery, Mo.- parents listed as Roberth Griffith and Catherine Lewis, birthplaces unkn. - cause of death is shown as operated on for ovarian tumor - death from loss of vitality
Posted by: Joyce Willhoit gwwillhoit@kc.rr.com 2001
Clara BRUER (31 Jan 1888 Longrun, Ozark County, MO-10 Aug 1946 Longrun, Ozark County, MO; burial Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, Ozark County, MO) m. George Washington WILLHOIT (13 Feb 1881 Longrun, Ozark County, MO-12 Dec 1941 Longrun, Ozark County, MO; burial Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, Ozark County, MO) on 13 Feb 1906 in Catoosa, Rogers County, OK; son of James Washington WILLHOIT & Elizabeth GRIFFITH of Ozark County, MO.
James Washington WILLHOIT (24 Aug 1850 TN-18 May 1926 Longrun, Ozark County, MO); son of Alfred Hunter WILHOIT and his second wife, Lydia H. (Lamb) ROLLINS. He m. Elizabeth GRIFFITH (6 Oct 1854 AR-17 Sep 1924 Longrun, Ozark County, MO); dau of Robertson GRIFFITH and Katherine "Katy" LEWIS. Burial at the Griffith-Truvine Cemetery, Ozark County, MO. Children: (1) John Robertson WILLHOIT m. Augusta Jane WALLACE; (2) Alfred Raleigh WILLHOIT m. Birdie REICH; (3) Thomas Benton WILLHOIT m. Mary Ann JONES; (4) George Washington WILLHOIT m. Clara BRUER; (5) Hepsie Clementine "Clemmie" WILLHOIT m. Charles Egbert JONES; and (6) Joseph WILLHOIT m. Bessie FULTON
James Washington WILLHOIT (24 Aug 1850 TN-18 May 1926 Longrun, Ozark County, MO); son of Alfred Hunter WILHOIT and his second wife, Lydia H. (Lamb) ROLLINS. He m. Elizabeth GRIFFITH (6 Oct 1854 AR-17 Sep 1924 Longrun, Ozark County, MO); dau of Robertson GRIFFITH and Katherine "Katy" LEWIS. Burial at the Griffith-Truvine Cemetery, Ozark County, MO.
Children:
(1) John Robertson WILLHOIT m. Augusta Jane WALLACE.
(2) Alfred Raleigh WILLHOIT m. Birdie REICH
(3) Thomas Benton WILLHOIT m. Mary Ann JONES
(4) George Washington WILLHOIT m. Clara BRUER.
(5) Hepsie Clementine "Clemmie" WILLHOIT m. Charles Egbert JONES
(6) Joseph WILLHOIT m. Bessie FULTON
Lutie Cemetery , Ozark, Missouri
Willhoit, James, Aug. 21, 1850-April 8, 1926
Willhoit, Elizabeth, Oct. 6, 1854-Sept. 17, 1924

-courtesy Notha Stevens


Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 7376252

Lutie Cemetery

Family/Spouse: James Washington Willhoit. James was born in , Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA; died on 18 May 1926 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Theodosia, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L7BX-NPJ
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Courtesy Notha Stevens:

1860
Age: 1
Residence
Osage, Carroll, Arkansas, United States

1876
Age: 17
Marriage to Levi Thomas SALLEE
marriage has not been located - proven by death certificates

1880
Age: 21
Residence
Marion, Ozark, Missouri, United States

1900
Age: 41
Residence
Jasper & Big Creek Townships, Ozark, Missouri

1910
Age: 51
Residence
Big Creek, Ozark, Missouri

1920
Age: 61
Residence
Big Creek, Ozark, Missouri

Died:
death was from "apolexy" -parents as Robnson Griffith and mother unkn. Birth was given as Arkansas - Levi Sallee was the informant. burial was shown as Sallee Cemetery

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 21178999

Sarah married Levi Thomas Sallee in 1876 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. Levi was born on 05 Jul 1853 in Thornfield, Ozark County, Missouri, United States; died on 13 Apr 1934 in Big Creek Township, Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LHJX-C3G
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13764359

America married Edward Daniel Ridenour on 15 Dec 1887 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. Edward was born on 03 Aug 1867 in , , Illinois, USA; died on 02 Aug 1941 in Hammond, Ozark County, Missouri, United States; was buried on 03 Aug 1941 in Thornfield Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: K4DF-QY1
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 21264285

Martha married Issac Fletcher Gray on 30 Mar 1883 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. Issac was born on 08 Jun 1865 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 25 Feb 1910 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Griffith Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9J7V-P3W
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Died:
between 1870-1880

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 21178041

Griffith Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9J7V-PQW
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Courtesy Notha Stevens:

Name: Robert S Griffith Marriage Date: 25 Sep 1890 Marriage Location: Ozark, Missouri Marriage County: Ozark Spouse Name: Sarah E Wood Mother's Name: Catherine Griffith
Title: Census
Page: Ozark County Marion twp
Note: Griffith Sherman Mar 1870 30 mrr 10 yrs MO TN TN
Sarah E. wife Aug 1871 28 mrr 10 yrs 3 children 3 living MO AR IN
Ollie E. dau Aug 1890 3 MO
Mary E. dau Mar 1897 3 MO
George son Jun 1899 MO
Date: 1900 Title: Census
Page: Ozark County Missouri Marion twp pg 262
Note: Griffith Robert S. 40 mX1 MO TN TN
Sarah E. wife 39 mX1 MO AR IN
Ollie E. 17 MO
Mary E. 15 MO
George E. 13 MO
Date: 1910
1920 Marion,Ozark County, Missouri
Robert S Griffith 49 MO TN TN
Sarah E Griffith 48 MO Ark IND

1930 Longrun Noble, Ozark County, Missouri
Sarah E Griffith 58 MO
Griffith Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri
GRIFFITH, R. S., 2 Mar 1870-3 May 1928
GRIFFITH, S. S., 3 Aug 1871-11 Apr 1957
death cert. of Sarah Elizabeth Griffith, lists birth and death dates and places, shows she was a widow. Lists parents as Mike Wood and Elvina Martin. Ollie Crawford of Gaineville, Mo. was the informant.She was the widow of Sherman Griffith. Burial is shown as Truvine Cemetery, rural, Ozark, Mo.

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 64466759

Robertson married Sarah Elizabeth Wood on 25 Sep 1890 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. Sarah was born on 03 Aug 1871 in , Douglas County, Missouri, USA; died on 11 Apr 1957 in rural Thornfield, Ozark County, Missouri, United States; was buried on 13 Apr 1957 in , Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9XFT-74G
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

1910 Census:

Name: Hepsie E Hart [Hessie E Hart]
Age in 1910: 36
Birth Year: abt 1874
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1910: Marion, Ozark, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Hiram I Hart
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Native Tongue: English
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Years Married: 15
Number of Children Born: 4
Number of Children Living: 3
Neighbors:
Household Members Age Relationship
Hepsie E Hart 36 Wife
Hiram I Hart
34 Head
Clarence Hart
15 Son
Ulah Hart
12 Daughter
Lucy Hart
10 Daughter

1930 Census:

Name: Hepsie Hart
Birth Year: abt 1874
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age in 1930: 56
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Homemaker?: Yes
Home in 1930: Ava, Douglas, Missouri, USA
Map of Home:
House Number: 124
Dwelling Number: 123
Family Number: 132
Age at First Marriage: 21
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members Age Relationship
Hepsie Hart 56 Wife
Hiram I Hart
54 Head
Albert Hart
18 Son
Earnest Hart
16 Son

1940 Census:

Name: Hepsie Eveline Hart
Age: 66
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Mother
Home in 1940: Mountain Grove, Wright, Missouri
Map of Home in 1940:
Street: Ash Street
House Number: 235
Inferred Residence in 1935: Long Run, Ozark, Missouri
Residence in 1935: Long Run, Ozark, Missouri
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 7B
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors:
Household Members Age Relationship
Hepsie Eveline Hart 66 Mother
Ernest Hart
26 Head
Elva Lea Hart
22 Wife
Robert Ernest Hart
3 Son
Raberta Lea Hart
7/12 Daughter

Courtesy Notha Stevens:
Name: Miss Hepsie E Griffith Marriage Date: 12 Aug 1894 Marriage Location: Ozark, Missouri Marriage County: Ozark Spouse Name: Hiram I Hartt..AW Hart, father of Hiram I. Hart giving his consent
Title: Census
Page: Ozark County Missouri Big Creek twp pg 77
Note: Hart H.I. Dec 1817 27 MO mrr 6 yrs MO MO MO
H.E. wife May 1873 27 mrr 6 yrs 3 children 3 living MO TN TN
Clarance son Jun 1896 4 MO
Euloa dau Feb 1898 2 MO
Lucy dau Apr 1900 MO
Date: 1900 Title: Census

Page: Ozark County Marion twp pg 262
Note: Hart Hiram I. 34 mrrX! 15 yrs MO MO MO
Hepsie E. wife 36 mrrX1 15 yrs 4 children 4 children 3 Living MO TN TN
Clarance son 15 MO
Ulah dau 12 MO
Lucy dau 10 MO
Date: 1910
1920 Marion, Ozark County, Missouri
107.107
Hiram I Heart 44 MO MO MO
Hepsey E Heart 46 MO TN TN
Ernest Heart 9 MO
Albert Heart 6 MO

1930 Ava, Douglas County, Missouri
123.133
Hiram I Hart 54 MO MO MO
Hepsie Hart 56 MO TN TN
Albert Hart 18 MO MO MO
Earnest Hart 16 MO MO MO

death cert. of Hepsie Evaline Hart shows birth and death dates and places. Parents shown are Robert Griffith and Catherine Louis. Burial in Hicks Cemetery. Spouse listed on cert. is "Harm Hart" She died from Pulmonary Tubercolosis. Informant was Albert B. Hart of Bakersfield, Mo

Buried:
findagrave.com

Hicks Cemetery

Hepsie married Hiram Idolphus Hart on 12 Aug 1894 in Theodosia, Ozark County, Missouri, United States. Hiram was born on 24 Dec 1875 in , Camden County, Missouri, USA; died on 03 May 1960 in Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA; was buried in Sanger, Fresno County, California, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9XFT-7CB
• Created: 14 May 2012

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 21178006

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LZ17-NVV
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NOTES

Nancy's daughter, Alice Stevenson, married Edward Talley. Nancy Lewis Stevenson's second husband was Alice's father in law, Charlie Talley.

!NOTES

Nancy was married one time and had 6 children. She had 2 girls and 4 boys. (Information Written by Nancy's niece, Lucy May Abrams Cole. A copy was sent to Linda Lewis by Bob Abrams in 1990)

!NOTES

Nancy Lewis Stevenson is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery at Des Arc, Missouri. She and her husband, Thomas Benton Stevenson, had six or seven children. After Thomas' death, Nancy married Charles Talley (the father in law of Nancy's daugher, Alice) on August 29, 1910 at Iron County, Missouri. (Source: STEVENSON FAMILY TREE compiled by R. Daniel Stevenson ...August 1992)

!NOTES

Thomas Benton Stevenson is buried at the Mountain View Cemetery at Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri. (Source: STEVENSON FAMILY TREE compiled by R. Daniel Stevenson ...August 1992)

Children:
121*ALICE STEVENSON b.12 Jun 1880 d. 6 Feb 1954
122*CHAPLES W STEVENSON b.Oct 1881
120*WILLIAM D WAY, STEVENSON b.3 Jun 1883 d. 4 Apr 1924
124*AUSTIN L OAS STEVENSON b. Oct 1886 d. Dec 1955
125*ANDREW BAUD STEVENSON b. Jun 1889 d. 1956
126*CLARISSA STEVENSON b. 1895

She also married (127) CHARLES M TALLEY who was born Nov 1840 in INDIANA.

!NOTES

Charles M. Talley fought as a Private with Company A, 13th Illinois Calvary during the Civil War. He enlisted on May 1, 1864 and was discharged on November 1. 1865.


(Source: STEVENSON FAMILY TREE compiled by R. Daniel Stevenson ...August 1992)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

In 1870 Census, she and her brother Daniel are living with uncle and aunt - Andrew and Angelina Lewis

Nancy married Thomas Benton "Ben" Stevenson in 1878. Thomas was born in Aug 1851 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 08 Feb 1908 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 2CFG-ZKF
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NOTES

Daniel married Cristana (Charlton) Stevenson. She was born in 1843 and died in 1893. She had about 8 children when they got married. (Information sent to Linda Lewis from Loren Mayne Ruble)

!NOTES

Daniel was married two times. He had 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) (Information written by Daniel's niece, Lucy May Abrams Cole. A copy of the information was sent to Linda Lewis by Bob Abrams in 1990)

!NOTES

Daniel Lewis has 4 children from his first marriage to C. His first wife, C., is buried next to their daughter Nancy Ellen Lewis Ruble. Daniel's second wife was Aunt Nervie. Daniel died at Bismarck and is buried in Des Arc. Thinks there is a tombstone. (Information from Edna Ruble Sutton in March 1991)

!CENSUS

1880 census ...Union Township, Iron County, Missouri ...Daniel Lewis (age 26) and his mother were both born in Missouri. His father was born in Tennessee. Daniel is a laborer. Christina (age 37), his wife, and her parents were born in Virgina. Christina'soccupation is keeping the house. Daniel nor Christina can read or write. Daniel has a step daughter, Angeline (age 16), who was born in Missouri. Daniel has 4 children who were all born in Missouri: Laura (age 10), William (7), Maryann (4) and Oma (3). (NOTE: I believe that Laura and William were also step children as I think that Daniel and Christian were married in 1875)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

DES ARC ITEMS ...News of the death of Daniel Lewis at Bismarck reached here Monday. Mr. Lewis had reached an advanced age and was well known here and at Vulcan. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Missouri ...July 2, 1931)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

DES ARC ITEMS ...The remains of Daniel Lewis were brought here for burial from Bismarck last Wednesday. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Missouri ...July 9, 1931)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

DES ARC ...Daniel Lewis an old citizen of Vulcan, was buried here at our
cemetery one day this week. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Workman at the Pentecostal Church; and on the way from the funeral a coupe loaded with people ran into the road machine and one lady, a sister to Ed Ruble, was very badly hurt. (WAYNE COUNTY JOURNAL BANNER newspaper ...Piedmont, Missouri... July 9, 1931)

!OBITUARY
NEWS FROM BISMARCK

Daniel Lewis, aged 76 years, 3 months and 17 days, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Miller, here on Monday of last week at 1 p.m. The deceased was born near Annapolis March 12, 1855, was a blacksmith by trade. He is survived by two sons,Ws. and Dan Lewis, of St. Charles, and one daughter, Mrs. Geo. Miller, of Bismarck. His wife and two daughters preceded his in death. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon with interment at Des Arc. (THE FARMINGTON NEWS newspaper ...Farmington, Missouri ...July 10, 1931)

!DEATH CERTIFICATE

Daniel Lewis was a white, male widower. He was born March 12, 1855 in Iron County, Missouri. His father, Benjamin Lewis, was also born in Iron County, Missouri. His mother was unknown. Daniel was a blacksmith. He died in Bismarck, St. Francois County, Missouri on June 29, 1931. He was 76 years, 3 months and 17 days old. Daniel's length of residence in Bismarck was one year. The informant was Daniel Lewis, Jr. of St. Charles, Missouri. It was filed July 10, 1931 by Dr. R.C. Kitchell.

Daniel was attended by E.M. Bryan, M.D., from June 6 to June 29, 1931. He died at 1 p.m. on June 29, 1931 of cardiac insufficiency which he had for 6 months. The contributory cause of death was myocarditis from which he suffered one year.

Daniel Lewis was buried in Des Arc, Missouri on July 1, 1931. The undertaker was C.J. Hill of Bismarck.
(Copy of death certificate in files of Linda Lewis on August 5, 1992)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Find A Grave Memorial# 103233985

In 1870 Census, he and his sister Nancy are living with uncle and aunt - Andrew and Angelina Lewis. Nancy and Daniel's parents - Benjamin and Naoma "Oma" Lewis died in 1863.

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 103233985

Daniel married Christianna Charlton on 28 Mar 1875 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Christianna was born on 17 Aug 1843; died on 07 Feb 1898 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Minerva Jane Smith on 26 Jul 1895 in , Carter County, Missouri, USA. Minerva was born in Oct 1854 in , Wayne County, Kentucky, USA; died in Bef. 1930; was buried in Bef. 1930. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L4HK-KS7
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NOTES

Mary (Polly) Lewis was born around 1857. She married a Stevenson and then James Ruble. [Information from Loren Ruble ...Pevely, Missouri]

!NOTES

Polly was married twice. She had 2 families. Her first family was 1 boy and 2 girls. Her second family was 2 boys and ? girl (Information Written by Polly's niece, Lucy May Abrams Cole. A copy was sent to Linda Lewis by Bob Abrams in 1990)

!NOTES

Polly is buried at the Mountain View Cemetery at Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri. Her first husband, Franklin J. Stevenson, died between 1880 and 1896. Polly and Franklin had two children: Martha E. and Harp Stevenson. Polly was the sister of Nancy Lewis who married Franklin's brother Thomas B. Stevenson. They were the daughters of Naomi Huet (Hewitt/Hewit) and Benjamin Lewis.

Polly married James Ruble on September 26, 1886 at Iron County, Missouri after Franklin died. James Ruble's first wife was Mary Elizabeth 'Polly' Stevenson, Franklin's sister. James and Polly Lewis Stevenson had four children: Maude, James Jack 'Jackson',May and Walter L. Ruble.

Polly Lewis Stevenson Ruble's tombstone says she was born in 1855, but I believe the 1857 is correct based on the 1860 census showing her to be three years old.
(Source: STEVENSON FAMILY TREE compiled by R. Daniel Stevenson August 1992)

Children:
HARP STEVENSON
MARTHA E STEVENSON b. 1879


She also married 26 Sep in IRON COUNTY, MISSOURI, (136) JAMES RUBLE who was born 30 Dec 1847.

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Find A Grave Memorial# 64371553
Courtesy Dan Stevenson:

Martha Polly (went by Polly) Lewis was the fourth of seven known children of Benjamin Lewis (1825-1864) who was born in Tennessee and died at Silvey, Wayne County, Missouri. Benjamin married Naomi Huet (Hewitt/Hewit) (1827-1863) who died at Vulcan, Iron County, Missouri. It is not known for sure where Naomi is buried. She may have been buried on their family farm and not in an established cemetery.

Polly married 1st to Franklin (Frank) J. Stevenson (b. 1855 in Iron County, Missouri; the son of Henderson C. Stevenson (1818-???) and Angeline McFadden Stevenson (1820-???). It is not known when or where Henderson or Angeline died. Frank died between 1883 (when his third child was born and 1886). Polly and Frank were the parents of three children, two girls and one boy, namely:

1. Martha Evalyn Stevenson Seal (1878-1974)
2. Hartford Stevenson (1880-1966)
3. Frankie May Stevenson Miller (1883-1983)

Links to these three children are listed below.

After Frank died, Polly remarried to James Ruble (1847-c1894) on 26 Sep 1886 at Iron County, Missouri. Polly and James were the parents of four children, two girls and two boys, namely:

4. Maude Ruble Pippin (1887-1969)
5. James Jack Ruble (1890-1956)
6. Daisy Jane Ruble Morgan (1891-1955)
7. Walter Lee Ruble (1894-1952)

Martha married Franklin J. Stevenson on 19 Dec 1875 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married James Ruble on 26 Sep 1886 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. James was born on 30 Dec 1847; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 242T-X95
• Name: Kizzy
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 105309218

unmarked grave

Kesiah married Andrew Ruble on 09 Sep 1877 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Andrew (son of Henry Ruble and Malinda Skiles) was born on 10 Nov 1857 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 13 Dec 1901 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Sutton Cemetery, Vulcan, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 2CF5-JCZ
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE
STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON

This license authorizes any Judge, Justice of the Peace, Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, or any other person authorized under the Laws of this State, to Solemnize Marriage between William Lewis of ______ County of Iron and State of No. who is over the age of twenty one years; and Mary Dace of ______ in the County of Iron and State of No. who is over the age of eighteen years.

Witness my hand as City (The rest was very difficult to read. The year 1882 could be read. A copy of the license is in the possession of Linda Lewis on 6/20/1990)

!NOTES

ABSTRACT OF TITLE
TO
Part N.E. 1/4 of SW 1/4 & Part SE 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Sec. 26, TWP. 31. R. 3 East.
Made for Henry Lewis


Elijah M. Moss and Kinney L.D. Moss, Warranty Deed
his wife,
Dated January 2, 1889
No. 11 Filed for record Feb. 2, 1889


Recorded in Book 32 Page 560
Iron County, No., Land Records
To Consideration $200.00
Acknowledged Jan. 2, 1889, before
William Lewis H.C. Hart, Notary Public, Iron
County, No. Seal noted.

Conveys the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 31, Range 3 East. (The fan in Sutton Hollow near Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri has been in the Lewis family since 1889. The Abstract of Title has changed several ties. No. 47 was when Alpha Lewis sold the land to her step son, Kenneth Brian Lewis, on November 4, 1980. Kenneth Brian Lewis is a grandson of William Lewis. The Abstract of Title is in the possession of Kenneth Brian Lewis in July 1992)

!NOTES
COLLECTOR'S STATEMENT OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1893

Ironton, No ...Jan 1894...Mr. Wm Lewis Jr ....Your taxes for 1893 mount to

$3.92 Please pay the same promptly before the 25 day of January 1894, and oblige
Yours Truly,
P.W. Whitworth,
Collector Iron County, No.

!MARRIAGE LISCENSE

Annapolis No., October 14, 1894 This Certifies that Mr. William Lewis of Iron County, Missouri and Miss Mary B Keathley of Des Arc No. were by me united in the HOLY BONDS OF MATRIMONY on the 14th day of October, 1894, at Tyler Keathly's Residence in Iron County, No.; that the License authorizing the same was issued October 12th 1894, by Joseph Huff, Recorded of Iron County, No.

John W. Alcorn
Minister of gospel
[License in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/2011990)

!LETTER
Van Buren, No.
8/20/95
Wm Lewis
Annapolis, Mo.

Dear Cousin:
In answer to yours of the 18th ____ will say that a portion of your
letter I cannot read. but I can read enough to make out that there is a kick by
you as to how the business has been wound up and that you refuse to accept the
amount due you:
There was $559.10 came into my hands as administrator this was from sale of property and interest I collected every cent due the estate--
After paying all debts and expenses then was left in my hands due the heirs the sum of $108.67; this divided into eleven parts, make $9.87 due each whole heir you get one sixth of $9.81 or $1.64 1/2 to each of your heirs; I am not going to be
(The second page of the letter is missing. The letter is in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/20/1990)

!CENSUS

1900 census ...Union Township, Iron County, Missouri ...William Lewis (age 38) was born Jan. 1862 in Missouri. His mother was also born in Missouri and his father in Tennessee. William is a farmer that owns a farm with a mortgage. William Lewis has been married for 6 years to Mary B. (age 22). Mary B. was born in May 1878 in Missouri. Her parents were both born in Tennessee. Mary has had 2 children and they are both living. William's four children were all born in Missouri. Bertha (age 15) was born Oct. 1884. Henry (age 19) was born Aug. 1890. Bessie (3) was born in June 1897 and Isom (age 1) was born in April 1899. Bertha and Henry both attended school for 5 months. Bertha, Henry, and Mary can read, write and speak English. William can speak English.

1910 Census ...Union Township, Iron County, Missouri ...William P. Lewis (52) was born in Missouri. His parents were both born in Tennessee. William is a farmer who has a mortgaged farm. He has been married to Belle M. for 17 years. They have 6 children. Belle (33) and her mother were born in Missouri. Her father was born in Kentucky. Their children were all born in Missouri: Bessie (13), Isom R. (11), Isaac E. (9), Martha M. (5), Myrtle (2) and Katie M. (2 months old). Bessie, Ises, and Isaac attended school during the year. William, Belle, Bessie and Isom can read, write and speak English.

1920 census ...Union township, Iron County, Missouri ...This census was enumerated on January 14, 1920 by We. 0. Huff. The home was on Hampton Branch Road. William P. Lewis (age 60) was the head of a household that listed 12 people. All of the people in the home were born in Missouri. William's hole was mortgaged and he worked on his own account as a farmer. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in Missouri. William had three sons and four daughters listed: Isom R. (age 20); Edgar I. (age 18); Martha M. (15); Myrtle (age 11); Katy (age 9); Renna (age 6); and Benjamin (age 4 years and 7 months). William's wife, Mary B. (age 42), and his mother in law, Nancy J. Keathley (age 66) were also listed. Mary B.'s father was born in Kentucky. Nancy's father was born in Tennessee and her mother in Missouri. William's six year old grandson, Ralph Sutton, and William's twelve year old cousin, Raymond Lewis, were also residents. Ralph's and Raymond's parents were also born in Missouri. Martha, Myrtle, Kat

!LETTER
EDGAR & EDGAR ATTORNEYS
Ironton, No. April 13th, 1912
Mr. Wm. Lewis,
Annapolis, Mo.

Dear Sir:--

We have been employed by N. C. Sutton to obtain possession of certain lands belonging to his which you now hold. The County Surveyor has just completed the survey of Mr. Sutton's land and he finds that you have 10 or 11 acres of Mr. Sutton's within your enclosure. We now make formal demand of you for said lands. Please let us know at once what you intend to do about this.

Yours truly,
Edgar & Edgar

(Letter in possession of Linda Lewis on 6!20/1990)

!NOTES

William's parents died when he was young. He and his sister, Kizzie, were raised by an uncle.

!NOTES

The following stories about William “Punkin” Lewis were told to Opal Lewis by her father-in-law, Henry Lewis. Henry Lewis was about 90 years old when he told these stories.

As a boy Henry went to Manville, Arkansas (10 or 15 miles from Texanona) with his father to work in the timber, where there were forests of big yellow pine. Henry said his dad never smoked or drank. Punkin didn't do such joking, but he did get out in the yard and play with the kids. Punkin liked to go to church. He wore a beard in the winter and shaved it off in the summer, he usually had a mustach. Henry said one time he and Bill Palmer, a neighbor, were playing in the apple orchard and his dad had shaved off his beard. Punkin came up there to scare them. Bill didn't know his and ran. Henry picked up rocks and threw at Punkin. Henry just laughed when he told this story. Henry said his dad had 40 acres where Alpha lived.

One time Henry and another boy were playing anti-over and got in a fight. Their fathers were on the other side of the house and Henry had the boys nose bleeding. Their fathers nearly got in a fight over it. Henry and the boy couldn't play together the rest of the day.

When they were working in the timber, they had huge teams. Punkin Lewis was in the lead team and it would take all day to go 10 miles. Doc Buford owned the mill and he liked to have fun. He told Henry if he would scare the Negro real bad (the Negro drove one team and was always scared), that he would give him something, so he didn't go with them and Henry put a sheet over his head and nearly scared the Negro to death. The Negro jumped down and ran all the way in and told them that he had seen a ghost.

They had 4 teams and 4 mules to a wagon, this was when the city of Texanana was being made. When a factory, or big house was being built they furnished the green lumber. They also shipped alot out. Henry's father went down there to be in charge for Buford---6 days a week. James Buford owned the mill and Doc was in charge (overseer). Doc did finally buy in the Bill. They stayed down there 2 years once and one year another time.

He thought they were English, he didn't remember his mother, grandfather remarried and so did his father. He never knew his &others people. He didn't think they gee hawed to such.

His step mother was very good to his, he didn't feel his own mother could have been any better to his. While in Arkansas Henry made $1.25 a day and his dad kept a dollar so he got the quarter.

Henry's dad was called pumpkin. He said his dad raised the biggest pumpkins in his fields. Said he sold alot of them in Mandville, Arkansas for 25 cents each. They did not own land down there, just lived and worked down there.

Henry said his dad had black hair and it never turned grey but his beard was white. His sister had real black hair. His dad had what they called granulated sore eyes and had to go to the hospital for 2 weeks once. They rolled his eye lids with a roller and squeezed thee. Henry said his father said it really did hurt bad but he never made a sound. Said his dad was real strong and brave.

!OBITUARY
OLD RESIDENT GONE TO REST
Uncle William Lewis was born in Iron County Mar. 5, 1859, and died at his home near Annapolis July 10, 1933, age 74 years, 4 months and 5 days. He had been in bad health for years but just confined to his bed since last fall. He had been married twice, his first wife was Mary Dace. To this union were born five children, three of whom died in infancy. After her death he married Mary Bell Keathley and to this union were born eight children, all of whom survive him. He will be sadly missed by the whole community as he had lived most of the time since his marriage on the same place and everyone knew his as 'Uncle William.' He enjoyed company and was always
Well pleased when his friends and relatives case to see his. He was very patient in his suffering, but was anxious to die and be at rest.
He leaves to mourn the loss, a wife, 10 children, 30 grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. His children are Mrs. Bertha Alcorn, Henry Lewis, Mrs. Martha Sherrill and Mrs. Myrthe Ruble, all of Annapolis. Mrs. Bessie Ruble and Edgar Lewis, of Vulcan, Isom Lewis, of Black River, and three children, Katie, Irene and Benjamin, and one grand-child, Ralph, at home. They have the sympathy of the whole community in their bereavement, but we know he is at rest, so why grieve? There is one waiting over yonder to welcome the dear ones home. A Friend.
[from newspaper clipping in possession of Linda Lewis.

!OBITUARY

William Lewis was born March 5 1859 departed this life July 10th 1933. He being 74 years, 4 months and 5 days old.
He was married to Mary Dace at an early age To this union 5 children were born Bertha Alcorn of Annapolis. Henry of Annapolis. Three of this Union precede him in death.
His first wife passed away in 1891. He then was married to Belle Keathley Oct 16th 1894. to this Union 8 children were born. Bessie Ruble of Vulcan, Issom of Piedmont, Edgar of Vulcan, Martha Sherrill of Annapolis, Myrtle Ruble of Annapolis, Katie Irene &Benjamin & Ralph a grandson at home with the mother. All of whom survive and also 30 grand children and a host of other relatives and friends who are left to mourn his death.
Uncle William as he was widely known was a sufferer for many years but bore his afflictions so patient until our Lord saw fit to call Him Home to be among the Redeemed. Uncle William will be sadly missed by all who knew Him.
[This is written on an old tablet and is yellowed with age. It is in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/20/1990]

!DEATH CERTIFICATE
William P. Lewis was born on March 5, 1861 in Annapolis, Missouri to Benjamin Lewis (also born in Missouri). William was married to Belle Keathley.
He died on July 10, 1933 in Union Township, Iron County, Missouri at the age of 72 years, 4 months and 5 days. He was a self-employed farmer. The cause of death was fibrosis of lungs. The informant was Henry Lewis of Annapolis, Missouri. Burial was in theAnnapolis Cemetery on July 11, 1933.


[Copy of death certificate in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/20/1990]

!LETTER
STATE OF MISSOURI
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
DIVISION OF WELFARE
Ironton, Iron County, Missouri

November 6, 1947
Mrs. Belle Lewis
Annapolis, Missouri

Dear Mrs. Lewis:

This has reference to your letter of November 3 in regard to more assistance.

You are now receiving the maximum Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children grants.

The worker talked with your son after reinvestigating your case to see if he could help you with the support of his daughters. According to Mr. Lewis' statement, he is unable to render any financial assistance at this time.

We are sorry that you are having such a difficult time in meeting the girls' expenses, but you are receiving all the law will allow.

If you are dissatisfied with the amount of your grants, you have the right to appeal to the Director of the Department of Public Health and Welfare within 90 days from the time your cases were last reinvestigated. Forms for filing such an appeal may be obtained at this office if you should care to take such action.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Carrie Mae Luna
Visitor

(Original letter in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/18/1990)

!NOTES

Belle learned to read and write after her marriage to William Lewis. Her step daughter's husband, Billy Alcorn, taught her. (Information told to Linda Lewis by Myrtle Ruble in June 1992)

!OBITUARY

Mary Belle Lewis, 74, died June 29 at her home near Annapolis. She had been ill for several months. She leaves the following children: Avery, Issom, Myrtle Ruble, Bessie, Edgar, Katie Clifford, Irene Williams, Benjamin, Martha Sherrill and Henry. Serviceswill be from the Union Church at Annapolis Friday at 2 p.m. and burial in the Annapolis cemetery with White Funeral Service.
[IRONTON MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper... Iron County, Missouri ...Thurs., June 30, 19551

!DEATH CERTIFICATE

Mary Belle Lewis was born September 17, 1879 in Annapolis, Missouri. She was the daughter of James Addison Keathley and Jane Asbury. Belle was the widow of William Lewis. She died in Union township, Iron County, Missouri at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 2 days on June 29, 1955. The information was supplied by Issom Lewis of Annapolis, Missouri. Belle was buried on July 1, 1955 in the Annapolis Cemetery in Iron County, Missouri.
(Copy of death certificate in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/19/1990)




Children:
153*BESSIE LEWIS b. Apr 1897 d. 25 Jun 1967
154* ISSOM RICHARD LEWIS b. 2 Jul 1899 d. 19 May 1976
155*EDGAR ISSAC LEWIS b. 19 Aug 1900 d. 21 Dec 1989
156*MARTHA MAE LEWIS b. 5 Jan 1905 d. 1 Feb 1987
157*MYRTLE LEWIS b. 8 Feb 1908
158*KATIE MARIE LEWIS b. 12 Feb 1910
159*ETHEL IRENE LEWIS b. 26 Mar 1913
160*BENJAMIN LEWIS b. 21 May 1915

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Benjamin and Naoma Lewis's children were raised by two of his brothers and a sister:

From 1870 Census:

Willam Lewis and wife Abigail raised Nancy and William
Andrew Lewis and wife Angeline raised Martha Mary "Polly" (listed as Mary in 1870 Census) and Daniel

Elizabeth Lewis and her husband Thomas Jackson raised Naoma

It is not known who raised the other children:
(Neither in 1870 Census)

Elizabeth
Kesiah "Kizzy" married Andrew Ruble in 1877


Find A Grave Memorial# 133053509


Died:
Find A Grave Memorial #133053509

Buried:
Find A Grave Memorial #133053509

William married Mary Catherine Dace on 31 Dec 1882 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Mary (daughter of Allen Persinger Dace and Louisa Y. Ferrell) was born on 10 Feb 1864 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 15 Mar 1893 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Mary Belle Keathley on 14 Oct 1894 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Mary (daughter of James Addison Keathley and Nancy Jane Asbury) was born on 17 Sep 1878 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 29 Jun 1955 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried on 01 Jul 1955 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L8WT-3JP
• Name: Omey
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

!MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF REYNOLDS ...This license authorizes any Judge, Justice of the Peace, licensed or ordained Preacher of the Gospel, or any other person authorized under the Lays of this State, To Solemnize Marriage between R. H. Abrams of the County of Reynolds and State of Missouri, who is over the age of twenty one years, and Naoma Lewis of the County of Reynolds and State of Missouri who is over the age of eighteen years.

Witness my hand as Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Recorder, with the seal of office hereto affixed, at my office in Centreville, the Ninth day of June 1888
B.F. Cozine, Clerk and Recorder.
By Joe. S. Carty, Deputy
***********************************************************************************************************

STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF REYNOLDS ...This is to certify, that the
undersigned did, at my office in said County, on the 10th day of June A.D. 1888, unite in Marriage the above named persons.

J. R. Myers, J. P.

***********************************************************************************************************

Filed for Record, this 5th day of July 1888, at 7 o'clock, a.m.

B.F. Cozine, Clerk and Recorder.
(Received from Bob Abrams in October 1989 by Linda Lewis)

!NOTES

Naoma (Lewis) and Henry Abrams were divorced in 1911. Supposedly Henry was mean to Naoma and even tried to give her trouble after they were divorced. One of her brothers is suppose to have come to her aid. (Information from their grandson, Richard Abrams,in 1988)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Thursday, March 14, 1912

Annapolis News -- Mrs. Omay Abrams, near Vulcan, died week before last. Henry Abrams came from St. Louis last week and took the two smallest children back with him, and said he would care for the others if they wanted to come to him. Thursday, March 21, 1912

Annapolis News -- Henry Abrams made a trip to Annapolis the past week and forbid the administrator of Mrs. Abrams' estate selling certain property which he claimed as his own.

***********************************************************************************************************
ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, the letter of administration on the estate of Osay Abrams, deceased, were granted to the undersigned on the 6th day of March, 1912, by the Probate Court of Iron County, Missouri.

All persons having claims against said estate are required to exhibit them for allowance to the Administration within six months after the date of said letters, or they may be precluded from any benefit of said estate; and if such claims be not exhibited within one year from the date of the last insertion of the publication of this notice, they shall be forever barred.

This 6th day of March, 1912.

WM. P. LEWIS, Administrator.
***********************************************************************************************************
March 28, 1912

Annapolis News -- The sale of the Abrams' farm was well attended. Corn brought a dollar a bushel, and hay in the neighborhood of a dollar a bale. Everything brought a high price. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri)

!NOTES
Naoma (Omay) Lewis Abrams and three children (Eddie, Clarence, and Marie) are suppose to have been buried on the Abrams farm around Vulcan, Iron County, M0. (The place is also known as the old Jimmy Johnson farm.)

!NOTES

Aunt Oma Abrams was buried over in those hills where Edd Taley used to live up from Vulcan and some children, too. That is the only one that I know of that isn't buried in a grave yard.
(Written in a letter to Kenneth Brian Lewis in January 1992 by Myrtle Lewis Ruble.)

!NOTES Omay Lewis was married once and had 8 children (5 boys & 3 girls) (Information written by Omay Lewis Abrams' daughter, Lucy May Abrams Cole. A copy of the information was sent to Linda Lewis in 1990 by Bob Abrams)

!NOTES Rufus Henry Abrams was born in Georgia in 1854. His parents were Lewis D. Henry and Nancy America (Faulkner) Abrams. Lewis Abrams parents were William and Sarah Anne (McLemore) Abrams. Rufus Henry was married several ties. His wives were Ellen, Sarah Hampton, Amanda Cole and Naoma Lewis. He married Naoma Lewis in Reynolds County on June 10, 1888. They had eight children. Naoma and Henry Abrams were divorced in 1911. [Information supplied by Henry and Naoma Abrams grandson, Bob Abrams, in 1981

!NOTES Henry Rufus Abrams borned March 1860 his father name was also Henry Rufus I done no grandma name grandpa was a minister. they had 3 boys & 3 girls.
Henry that is my dad was married 4 time
John carried Jennie Meadows
3) one a blank
4) Elizabeth carried a Hamton
5) Mary married a Moss
6) Susana a Mead.


HENRY RUFUS ABRAM'S WIVES *

of the wemon I no their names but one I do not no she was the moher of my 3 half brothers: william abrams, charles abrams and jim abrams

2) Sarah hamton was the second
3) Cas Cole was the third

4) My mother Omay Lewis was no 4 to that union was borned 7 children Lucy May, Carl 8, George Lee, Eddie, Clarance, Ida Marie, ulyses cicioe, and Lillie viola they are all gone but me I as left all but for my own family

My half brothers was William charley & jaws James died before I was born. [This information case from Aunt Lucys granddaughter Janet Tolman – Delbert’s daughter. She got the information from the Morman Church in Salt Lake City. Aunt Lucy then put it down on paper] (The information was sent to Linda Lewis by Bob Abrams in 1990. It had been written by Lucy May Abrams Cole)

Children:
165*LUCY MAY ABRAMS b. 4 Sep 1889 d. 17 Nov 1984
166*CARL B ABRAMS b. 7 Nov 1891 d. 30 Jul 1962
167*GEORGE LEE ABRAMS b. 21 Jan 1894 d. 26 Nov 1968
168*EDDIE ABRAMS b. 29 Apr 1896 d. 1 May 1896
169*ULYSSES CICERO ABRAMS b 3 Sep 1898 d. 29 Aug 1955



Buried:
Abrams Farm

Naoma married Rufus Henry Abrams on 10 Jun 1888 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States, and was divorced in 1911. Rufus (son of Lewis David Henry Abrams and Nancy America Faulkner) was born on 16 Mar 1854 in , Wilkes County, Georgia, USA; died on 23 Dec 1917 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LHDX-967
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

1880 Census

Name: Lucretia Lewis
Age: 23
Birth Date: Abt 1857
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1880: Des Arc, Iron, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 101
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: George Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Occupation: Keeping House
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
George Lewis 27
Lucretia Lewis 23
Robert H. Lewis 5
Martha L. Lewis 4
Walter L. Lewis 2
Mary E. Lewis 2

Buried:
Small cemetery south of the mouth of Carver Creek, northwest of Sabula, MO

George married Lucretia "Lou" Mary Coil on 08 Feb 1874 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Lucretia was born on 08 Feb 1858; died on 08 Mar 1907 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Old Lewis Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: K88R-Y1D
• Name: Mattie
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Martha Jane, daughter of Robert and Mary Lewis, was born August 27, 1853; professed a hope in Christ in early life, joined Big Creek church and baptized by Elder William Huff, and remained a loyal member till death, which occurred July 13, 1925, aged 71 years, 11 months, and 10 days. Married George Ketcherside May 10, 1879. To this union were born nine children--two girls, seven boys--all remain to mourn her loss but one, Erma, who preceded her in death six years.
She leaves a husband, seven sons, one daughter, five brothers and three sisters and twenty-two grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
We are separated from a true wife, we feel a loss of a dear mother, we miss our loving sister, the church has lost a good member, the community lost a true friend.
(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri...August 6, 1925)

Name: Martha Jane Louis Marriage Date: 11 May 1879 Marriage County: Iron Spouse Name: George Ketcherside

1880 Liberty, Iron County, Missouri
G. W. Kitchside 28 MO TN Mo
M. J. Kitchside 27 Mo TN TN
R. J. L. Kitchside 4M Mo son

1900 Liberty, Iron County, Missouri
13.13
Geo Ketcherside 48 Jun1852 Mo
Martha J 47 Aug1852 9/9kids Ark
Llwell 20 Jan1880 Mo
Joel 19 Apr1881
Chas H. 18 Jan1882
Wm A 14 Feb1886
Samuel A 13 Apr1887
Emily B 9 Feb1891
Winfred 7 Oct1892
Earma 5 Oct1894
Lemuel L 1 Aug 1898

1910 Liberty, Iron, Missouri, USA
23.23
W George Ketcherside 58 Mo
J Martha 57 ARk
Winford 18 Mo
E Julia 15 Mo
L Lemma 13 Mo
E Floyd 3 Mo son

1920 Liberty, Iron County, Missouri
39.39
George W Ketcherside 65 Mo
Martha J 64 Ark
Floyd E 13 Mo grandson
Albert 2 11/12 Mo grandson


1920 Liberty, Iron County, Missouri
111.111
Chas H Ketcherside 47 MO MO MO
Dollie M 37 MO MO MO
Velma W 18
Marie M 15
Oather C 11
James I 8
Levern G 6 son
George W Ketcherside 78 father Mo US US

Death certificate gives her birth date as August 27 1853 and birth place as Cows Creek ? Missouri.Age 72 at her death and married to George Ketcherside daughter of Robert Lewis and Mary Griffith of TN.

Lewis, Martha Jane
Martha Jane, daughter of Robert and Mary Lewis, was born August 27, 1853; professed a hope in Christ in early life, joined Big Creek church and baptized by Elder William Huff, and remained a loyal member till death, which occurred July 13, 1925, aged 71 years, 11 months, and 10 days. Married George Ketcherside May 10, 1879. To this union were born nine children--two girls, seven boys--all remain to mourn her loss but one, Erma, who preceded her in death six years.
She leaves a husband, seven sons, one daughter, five brothers and three sisters and twenty-two grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
We are separated from a true wife, we feel a loss of a dear mother, we miss our loving sister, the church has lost a good member, the community lost a true friend.
(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri...August 6, 1925)
Submitted by Linda Lewis

Big Creek United Baptist Church Cemetery, Iron Co. , Missouri
located near Big Creek , south of Chloride, Hiway 49
KETCHERSIDE, Charles H. 25 Jan 1883 - 26 Jan 1956
KETCHERSIDE, Myrtle D. 22 Sept 1893 - 12 May 1958
KETCHERSIDE, Melba Jane 21 July 1921 - 21 June 1928 d/o CH
KETCHERSIDE, Baby no dates
KETCHERSIDE, Lucille 17 Apr 1914 - 11 March 1916 d/o SA & N
KETCHERSIDE, Nellie 10 Dec 1893 - 5 July 1919 w/o SA
KETCHERSIDE, Geo. Washington 9 Jan 1852 - 30 July 1940
KETCHERSIDE, Martha Jane 27 Aug 1853 - 13 July 1925 w/o GW , md 10 May 1879
KETCHERSIDE, Samuel Arch 8 Apr 1888 - 23 Oct 1954



Died:
Martha Jane, daughter of Robert and Mary Lewis, was born August 27, 1853; professed a hope in Christ in early life, joined Big Creek church and baptized by Elder William Huff, and remained a loyal member till death, which occurred July 13, 1925, aged 71 years, 11 months, and 10 days. Married George Ketcherside May 10, 1879. To this union were born nine children--two girls, seven boys--all remain to mourn her loss but one, Erma, who preceded her in death six years.

She leaves a husband, seven sons, one daughter, five brothers and three sisters and twenty-two grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

We are separated from a true wife, we feel a loss of a dear mother, we miss our loving sister, the church has lost a good member, the community lost a true friend.

(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri...August 6, 1925)

Buried:
Big Creek Church Cemetery

Martha married George Washington Ketcherside on 11 May 1879 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. George was born on 09 Feb 1852 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 20 Jul 1940 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Chloride, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KL6T-VJK
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

1880 census ...Liberty township, Iron county, Missouri ...Enumerated on the 5th day of June 1880 by Leroy (?)...Samuel Lewis (age 26) is a farmer. His wife, E. Lewis (age 22), 'keeps house'. Samuel and E. Lewis were both born in Missouri. E's mother was born in Illinois and her father in Kentucky. Samuel's parents were both born in Tennessee.

He also married 1879 in IRON COUNTY, MISSOURI, (89) ELIZABETH BRADY who was born 27 Feb 1858. ELIZABETH died 26 Feb 1935 and was buried in REDFORD, MISSOURI.

Died:
Samuel Lewis was born Jan.5, 1855, near Sabula, Mo. He grew up to manhood there; professed a hope in Christ at the age of 20 years. His life has been one of consistent living, always manifesting a spirit of cheerfulness and forgiveness to those around him.

He was married to Elizabeth Brady July 20, 1879. To this union was born 6 children. He died at his home near Redford, Mo., Dec. 11, 1926, at the age of 71 years, 11 months, and 6 days. He leaves to mourn their loss a loving companion, two daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, three sisters, four brothers, and a host of other friends and relatives.

(Copy received from Loren Ruble, a great-grandson of Samuel Lewis'.)

Submitted by Linda Lewis

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 19699770

OLD REDFORD CEMETERY, Reynolds County, Missouri Lewis, Elizabeth 1858 - 1935 Homemade Marker Lewis, Samuel 05 Jan. 1855 - 11 Dec. 1926 Homemade Marker


findagrave.com memorial # 19699770

Old Redford Cemetery

Samuel married Sarah Jane McKenzie on 15 Nov 1877 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Sarah (daughter of Henry Woods McKenzie and Arvazena Wells) was born on 05 Jan 1855 in Sabula, Iron County, Missouri, United States; died on 16 Aug 1878 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Emily's Chapel Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Elizabeth Bradey on 20 Jul 1879 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Elizabeth was born on 27 Feb 1858 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 26 Feb 1935 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; was buried in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK3B-JQS
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 19699674

Sarah married Azariah "Erza" Bud Braddy on 09 Apr 1876 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Azariah was born on 16 May 1853 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; died on 15 Mar 1940 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Old Redford Cemetery, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LHY9-YT8
• Name: Skip
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Lewis, Wm. “Skip”
February 16, 1922...Des Arc items...Your correspondent was very sorry to hear of the death of Wm. "Skip" Lewis at his home at Piedmont, February 7th. He had many friends and acquaintances around Annapolis for he lived on Bear Branch many years. Eight or ten years ago he sold out to James Brown and went to Washington; from there to Colorado, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and landed in Piedmont about two years ago, where he has since been engaged in the dairy business. He was about sixty years of age and died quite suddenly from heart trouble. A widow, four sons and daughter mourn the loss of a kind husband and father.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri)
Submitted by Linda Lewis

William married Mary "Polly" Ann Johnson on 02 Jan 1881 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. Mary was born on 14 May 1861 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 12 Mar 1940 in Union Township, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-GZM
• Name: Roberson
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Buried:
Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery

Robinson married Martha Jane Nance on 12 Dec 1880 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Martha died on 12 May 1924 in Lesterville, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; was buried on 12 May 1924 in Lesterville, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-G6Q
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

1860
15 Apr
Birth
Sabula, Iron, Missouri, USA

1860
Residence
Liberty, Iron, Missouri, United States

1870
Age: 10
Residence
Township 32 Range 3 East, Iron, Missouri, United States

1880
Age: 20
Residence
Liberty, Iron, Missouri, United States

1900
Age: 40
Residence
Liberty Township, Iron, Missouri

1903
22 Jan
Age: 42

Marriage to John R. SINGLETON Rev.
Ironton, Iron, MO

1910
Age: 50
Residence
Benton, Wayne, Missouri

1920
Age: 60
Residence
Benton, Wayne, Missouri


1920
-1930
Age: 60
Divorce from John R. SINGLETON Rev.
Missouri
pre 1930 census
1930
Age: 70
Residence
Benton, Wayne, Missouri
Mary E Singleton is living alone, she shows she is widowed

1937
2 May
Age: 77

Death
Liberty, Iron, Missouri, USA
death cert is under Mary Emma LEWIS, it shows husband as John Singleton and that they were divorced, informant was John Lewis of Sabula, MO

Burial
Sabula, Iron, Missouri
death cert only shows buried in Sabula

Mary married Reverend John R. Singleton on 22 Jan 1903 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA in , , Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-GNQ
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Name: Phebe Louis Marriage Date: 25 Aug 1879 Marriage County: Iron Spouse Name: John Buckner
1900 Iron County MO Liberty twp E.D.45 family 16, 2nd and 4th Jun 1900.
Buckner John Oct 1850 49 widowed MO TN TN
Leatha daughter May 1885 13 MOMOMO
Lula daughter June 1887 12 MO
Minnie daughter July 1891 8 MO
Zora daughter Sep 1893 6 MO
Land patent
John E. Buckner filed for patent in Iron County MO South West Quarter of the North East Quarter of section twenty three in township thirty two north of range three East of fifth medridian in Missouri consisting of forty acres Land office of Ironton Mo.
Date: 1902 Title: Land patent
Patent issued : To John E. Buckner Iron County MO South West Quarter of the North East Quarter of section three in township thirty two north of range three East of fifth medridian in Missouri consisting of forty acres Land office of Ironton Mo.
Date: 1 Nov 1904

1910 Iron County ,MO Liberty twp sheet #2 E.D.#24 family 36, 15 Apr 1910.
Buckner E. John 53 widowed MO TN TN
A. Zora daughter 15 MO
Ila daughter 10 Mo

1920 St.Louis,St. Louis (independant City) MO 1408 Warren Street page 11B E.D.47
Vanderwerff Derk 23 born Holland parents born Holland native language Dutch machine operator tin can factory
Zora wife white 26 born MO parents MO
Richard son white 3 born MO father Holland mother Mo
Lorene daughter 1 born MO father Holland mother MO
Buckner John father-in-law age 65 widowed born MO parents MO retired can write.
Date: 12 Jan 1920
Newspaper
Page: Death Notice St. Louis Post Dispatch
Note: J. Buckner age 67
2515 N 13th St. Louis
Dec 27 1920.
Adult sec 3 pl#422 no marker
Date: Dec 1920

Not a lot is known of Phoebe's life as she died so young and her daughters are not here to share her tale with us . I do however have a description of her to help place her in my minds eye, she had Brown hair ,that was very wavy and worn long past her hips , she had dark skin ,and was short and heavy set most of her life.
Sources for Phoebe are Information from Census records 1860 through 1900 for Iron County ,Missouri , family information from Virgil Clopp grandson of Phoebe and family records of the Lewis family.
In 1879 Iron County Missouri, John E. Buckner married Phoebe Lewis who was born in Sabula, Iron County, Missouri. Her parents Robert and Mary Griffith Lewis were from Tennessee . Phoebe's life was short and we find her only on one census as a child with her parents . She was married by the 1880 census and is no longer at home sadly she nor John show up on the 1880 census any place in the united states that I can find.
Phoebe Lewis and John Buckner had 7 children that we know of all girls namely; Ida Bell, Maude or Mody, Leatha, Lula, Minnie, Zora and Ila.
Phoebe it would seem died 16 August of 1899. From census records on John it seems he never re-married after Phoebe's death but raised the girls on his own on the land he farmed in Iron County Missouri, Liberty tsp.

This is to Certify that
John Purkiner or Buckner and Phebe Louis
were married in Liberty township on the
25th day of Aug 1879. All of Iron County
Joseph Huff J.P.
Filed November 24 - 1879
Jos Huff Recorder

It is not clear if the name was recorded wrong or if the writing has smeared causing it to look as it is.

But this should read John Buckner and Pheobe Lewis
Title: Death Certificate
Note: Identified on Death Certificate of her daughter Ida Bell Buckner Clopp and states Pheobe was born in Iron County MO.
Date: 1947

Phoebe married John E. Buckner on 25 Aug 1879 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. John was born in Oct 1850 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 23 Dec 1920 in St. Louis, (City of St. Louis), Missouri, USA; was buried in St. Louis, (City of St. Louis), Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 26LQ-6S4
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

1870 Census

Name: Joel Lewis
Age in 1870: 5
Birth Year: abt 1865
Birthplace: Tennessee
Dwelling Number: 18
Home in 1870: Township 32 Range 3 East, Iron, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ironton
Occupation: At Home
Inferred Father:
Robert Lewis
Inferred Mother:
Mary Lewis
Household Members Age
Robert Lewis 48
Mary Lewis. 43
George Lewis 18
Martha J Lewis 16
Same Lewis 14
Sarah C Lewis 13
Mary E Lewis 12
Wm Lewis 11
Robinson Lewis. 9
Pheobe Lewis 7


1880 Census

Name: Joel Lewis
Age: 14
Birth Date: Abt 1866
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1880: Liberty, Iron, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 61
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Robert Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Name: Mary Lewis
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Attended School: Yes
Neighbors:
Household Members Age Relationship
Robert Lewis 53 Self (Head)
Mary Lewis 49 Wife
Wm. Lewis 22 Son
Robertson Lewis 21 Son
M. E. Lewis 21 Daughter
Joel Lewis 14 Son
Matilda Lewis 12 Daughter
John Lewis 10 Son
Lucy Lewis 8 Daughter
R. L. Lewis 7 Son


1900 Census:

Name: Joel Lewis
Age: 34
Birth Date: Jul 1865
Birthplace: Missouri, USA
Home in 1900: Lesterville, Reynolds, Missouri
House Number: 5
Sheet Number: 4
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 17
Family Number: 78
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Anna C Lewis
Marriage Year: 1888
Years Married: 12
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee, USA
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee, USA
Occupation: Black Smith
Months Not Employed: 0
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes
House Owned or Rented: Rent
Farm or House: H
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Joel Lewis 34 Head
Anna C Lewis 20 Wife
Esther J Lewis 11 Daughter
Luther E Lewis 9 Son
Noel E Lewis 5 Son
Altha I Lewis 1 Daughter

1910 Census:

Name: Joel Lewis
Age in 1910: 44
Birth Year: abt 1866
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1910: Polk, Madison, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Annie Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Farmer
Industry: General Farm
Employer, Employee or Other: Employer
Home Owned or Rented: Own
Home Free or Mortgaged: Mortgaged
Farm or House: Farm
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Years Married: 12
Out of Work: N
Number of Weeks Out of Work: 0
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Joel Lewis 44 Head
Annie Lewis. 29 Wife
Luther Lewis 20 Son
Noel Lewis 15 Son
Eltha Lewis 11 Daughter
Iva Lewis 9 Daughter
Lawrence Lewis 7 Son
Arlen Lewis 5 Son
Lelia Lewis 3 Daughter

1920 Census:

Name: Joel Lewis

Age: 54
Birth Year: abt 1866
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1920: Arcadia, Iron, Missouri
House Number: X
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Annie C Lewis
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Clergyman
Industry: Traveling
Employment Field: Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Joel Lewis 54 Head
Annie C Lewis 40 Wife
Lawrence W Lewis. 16 Son
Orlan B Lewis 15 Son
Lilia O Lewis 13 Daughter
Edrie ? Lewis 9 Son
Roger G Lewis 7 Son
Mark Lewis 5 Son
Earl Lewis 3 Son

1930 Census:

Name: Joel Lewis
Birth Year: abt 1866
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 64
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Liberty, Iron, Missouri, USA
Map of Home: Liberty, Iron, Missouri
Dwelling Number: 74
Family Number: 74
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Radio Set: No
Lives on Farm: Yes
Age at First Marriage: 22
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Clergyman
Industry: Baptist Church
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members Age Relationship
Joel Lewis 64 Head
Anna C Lewis 49 Wife
Lelia O Lewis 23 Daughter
Roger G Lewis 17 Son
Mark M Lewis 15 Son
Euel E Lewis 13 Son

Summary of residence locations in Census Records:
1870 - near Sabula, Iorn County, MO - father's farm in Carver Creek
1880 - near Sabula, Iron Cunty, MO - father's farm on Carver Creek
1900 - Lesterville, Reynolds County, MO
1910 - Polk, Madison County, MO
1920 - Arcadia, Iron County, MO
1930 - Liberty TWP, probably near Glover, Iron County, MO

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 18151318

Joel married Mary Isabell Phelps on 01 Jan 1888 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Mary was born on 04 Apr 1865; died on 14 Dec 1896 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joel married Annie Clardy Morton on 29 May 1898 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Annie was born on 20 May 1880 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; died on 09 Feb 1948 in , Wayne County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Big Creek Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LHY9-YY1
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Matilda married Thomas Jordan on 01 Apr 1900 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Thomas was born on 28 Oct 1865 in , Washington County, Missouri, USA; died after 1930 in Bunker, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-GYB
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 78687313

John married Caroline "Carrie" Victoria Shipley on 27 May 1896 in , Butler County, Missouri, USA. Caroline was born on 21 Apr 1878 in , Hopkins County, Kentucky, USA; died on 09 Aug 1918 in Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-P9F
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Miss Lucy Lewis, of Glover, in the south end of the county, aged 91 years, 6 months and 20 days, died of infirmities at the home of Cecil Sutton in Glover, a relative, Tuesday. Several nieces and nephews survive and are accorded sympathy in their loss. Services were held this [Thursday] afternoon at Z o'clock from the Big Creek Church at Glover with interment in Emily Chapel cemetery on Lower Carver Creek. White Service. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...Jan. 31, 1963)


Buried:
Emily's Chapel Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LK7R-PQC
• Name: Robert Lee
• Created: 12 Apr 2012

Notes:

Died:
We regret to announce the death of our friend and neighbor, Bro. Lee Lewis, who departed this life February 5, 1906, of pneumonia fever, aged 33 years and 9 months. He was the youngest son of Rob't and Polly Lewis of Carver Creek. Death has taken from hisparents the joy, pride and comfort of their declining lives; from his young wife a loving, devoted and tender husband, yet we have the full assurance that we can speak of him as one whose end was happy; whose death was but a little brook, across whose chilling waters Christ accompanied him and joined him to the shining and happy host on the other shore. How uncertain is life! He was converted about one month before his death. He was well known in this community and liked by all who knew him. He was a member of the M.W.A. in good standing. He leaves a wife and two children, aged parents, several brothers and sisters and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. His remains were laid to rest in Emmaus Chapel cemetery by the Order of the

(THE IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...Ironton, Iron County, MO...Feb. 15, 1906)



Buried:
Known as Lee, his middle name. In both of his parent's obits, he is listed a Robert Lee.

LOWER CARVER CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Iron Co., MO Located in Township 32 North, Range 3 East, Section 28, Iron Co., Mo. LEWIS, Lee died 5 Feb 1906 age 33 yr 3 da


Known as Lee, his middle name. In both of his parent's obits, he is listed a Robert Lee.

Emily's Chapel Cemetery

Robert married Mary Elvira Pinkley on 22 Dec 1897 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Mary was born on 16 Oct 1878 in near Glover, Iron County, Missouri, United States; died on 21 Jul 1943 in St. Louis, (City of St. Louis), Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KCXR-G9B
• Created: 17 Jun 2014

Notes:

1880 Census:

Name: Delia Stephens
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: Twelve-Mile, Madison, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 17
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: David Stephens
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Keeping House
Cannot Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
David Stephens 33 Self (Head)
Delia Stephens 28 Wife
John L. Stephens 7 Son
Mary E. Stephens 4 Daughter
Telisha A. Stephens 1 Daughter

Delia married David G. Stephens on 18 Feb 1872 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. David was born in Sep 1849 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 6 Feb 1918 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LV6W-78Z
• Created: 17 Jun 2014

Notes:

1 Source
Marriage to Laura Selane "Lane" WILLIAMS
1878
13 Oct
Age: 20
Madison, Missouri, USA

Residence
1880
Age: 23
Twelve-Mile, Madison, Missouri, United States

Death
1883
22 Oct
Age: 26
Trace Creek, Madison, Missouri
Missouri Death Records, 1834-1910 Name: George Lewis Death Date: 22 Oct 1883 Birth Date: abt 1857 County: Madison Death Location: Trace Creek Madison County, MO Race/Ethnicity: White Age: 26 Gender: M cause of death; pneumonia

Burial
Griffin Farm Cemetery, Madison, Missouri
Griffin Farm cemetery - Madison County, Missouri cemeteries - Lewis, George 1857 22 Oct 1883 S/O John Lewis Jr & Nancy Berry H/O Laurie Selane Williams (NOTE: I beleive birth date is an error, census consistanly him older than brother James)

George married Laura "Lanie" Selane Williams on 13 Oct 1878 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. Laura was born in Jan 1862 in , Madison County, Missouri, United States; died after 1930 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LV6W-WFP
• Created: 17 Jun 2014

Notes:

Census
1880
Age: 4
Twelve-Mile, Madison, Missouri

Family/Spouse: Ellen "Ella" Mae West. Ellen was born in 1860 in , , Missouri, USA; died in Jan 1923 in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LV6W-76T
• Created: 17 Jun 2014

Notes:

Census
1880
Age: 20
Twelve-Mile, Madison, Missouri

Benjamin married Mary A Doty on 28 Apr 1878 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L5RQ-2MB
• Created: 17 Jun 2014

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 95494466

Robert married Laura "Lanie" Selane Williams on 21 Jan 1886 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. Laura was born in Jan 1862 in , Madison County, Missouri, United States; died after 1930 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LKYC-X85
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Marion Lewis and wife of near Des Arc were in town last Saturday having some deeds made. Mr. Lewis has sold his farm, near Annapolis, to C. Mann, of Black River. Consideration, $950. (ANNAPOLIS NEWS column ...IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper...Ironton, IronCounty, Missouri ...February 21, 1913)

!CENSUS

1920 census ...Annapolis, Union township, Iron County, Missouri ...This census was enumerated on January 2, 1920 by Wm. 0. Huff. Marion Lewis (age 61) and his wife, Malinda J. (age 58), were both born in Missouri. Malinda's mother was born in Missouri andher father was born in Kentucky. Marion's father was born in Tennessee and his mother was born in Kentucky. They lived in a rented home. Marion was a farmer. Marion and Malinda could both read and speak English. Marion could also write but Malinda couldn't.

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
IN MEMORY

One year ago after a long and serious illness, death came to our home and claimed one of the best of fathers, Marion Lewis, who died in his home April 14, 1926.

Although a year has passed, the memory of this dear one is fresh to us as if it had been only yesterday and we feel that he was too noble a citizen, too devoted a father, too true a husband, not to have a fitting obituary.

Our father, the subject of this writing, was born Sept. 17, 1858 in Iron County, No., of which he was a resident all his life, and died at the age of 67 years, 6 months and 28 days, being the eldest of 10 children of the late Uncle Billy and Aunt Abby Lewis.

He was united in marriage to Malinda J. Jackson March 13, 1881 and to this union were born 9 children, 4 of them dying in infancy. Those living are: Mrs. Lillie Chilton, Farmington, No.; Mrs. Allie Stevenson, Detroit, Mich.; Chas. Lewis of Annapolis; Mrs.Ruth Brever, Annapolis; Mrs. Ethel Ruble, Des Arc; besides he leaves a wife, 21 grandchildren and 5 greatgrandchildren, and friends without number that his clean and Christian life was accountable for. He professed faith in Christ at the age of 16 years and was baptised by Br o. Settles into the Missionary Baptist church at Annapolis, but later when this church disbanded, he, with his wife, joined the general Baptist Church of which he was a member for 26 years or until God saw fit to call his to his revard. He was always found at his post of duty whatever it demanded.

There was never any finding fault or dissatisfaction with him, always looking on the bright side of things. He was active in church and religious affairs as well as political, serving two terms as county judge in Iron county. His many friends will remember his as being generous, big hearted and kind, always having a word or jest for every one he met.

The funeral was conducted by Bro. Z.F. Yount and Bro. J. W. Alcorn at the Presbyterian church, it being the closest church. The six living brothers acted as pall bearers. Quite a large crowd attended the funeral, friends and relatives from several distantplaces. He was laid to rest by the side of his dead babies at the Lewis cemetery near Annapolis, a place we will always hold sacred to our hearts, for there we know lies one of the best friends we children and mother had on earth. Oh, what it means to give up father. One year ago we watched life slowly ebb out and it has been a year of heartaches and loneliness. Sometimes it sees only a dream that father is gone from us forever. Then there's the awakening, it is true but yet we know that we, too have thesame debt to pay and “it wont be long; it may be soon,”' and we will look to the hills from which our strength cometh and lean heavily on the arms of our burden bearer, for we feel assured that some day if we are as faithful as the one that taught us

May each of us five children be able to say if we, like father, were called out:

“We want to like everybody.”

May we, a broken family, look forward.

Wife and Children.

Annapolis, Mo., April 25.
(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...May 5, 1927)

!OBITUARY

DES ARC ITEMS

Sad news announcing the death of Mrs. Marion Lewis, mother of Mrs. John Ruble, of Annapolis was received here Tuesday morning.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Missouri ...February 4, 1932)

Children:
LILLIE LEWIS
OLLIE LEWIS b. Mar 1884
CHARLES LEWIS b. 12 Jul 1886 d. 21 Jan 1944
RUTH LEWIS b. 12 Mar 1889 d. 16 May 1947
ETHEL LEWIS b. 25 May 1895 d. 7 May 1971

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

1904 - Runs for County Judge Southern District Iron County - Democratic Ticket

Died:
Our father, the subject of this writing, was born Sept. 17, 1858 in Iron County, Missouri, of which he was a resident all his life, and died at the age of 67 years, 6 months and 28 days, being the eldest of 10 children of the late Uncle Billy and Aunt Abby Lewis.


He was united in marriage to Malinda J. Jackson March 13, 1881 and to this union were born 9 children, 4 of them dying in infancy. Those living are: Mrs. Lillie Chilton, Farmington, Mo.; Mrs. Allie Stevenson, Detroit, Mich.; Chas. Lewis of Annapolis; Mrs. Ruth Brever, Annapolis; Mrs. Ethel Ruble, Des Arc; besides he leaves a wife, 21 grandchildren and 5 greatgrandchildren, and friends without number that his clean and Christian life was accountable for. He professed faith in Christ at the age of 16 years and was baptised by Br O. Settles into the Missionary Baptist church at Annapolis, but later when this church disbanded, he, with his wife, joined the general Baptist Church of which he was a member for 26 years or until God saw fit to call his to his reward. He was always found at his post of duty whatever it demanded.


There was never any finding fault or dissatisfaction with him, always looking on the bright side of things. He was active in church and religious affairs as well as political, serving two terms as county judge in Iron county. His many friends will remember his as being generous, big hearted and kind, always having a word or jest for every one he met.


The funeral was conducted by Bro. Z.F. Yount and Bro. J. W. Alcorn at the Presbyterian church, it being the closest church. The six living brothers acted as pall bearers. Quite a large crowd attended the funeral, friends and relatives from several distant places. He was laid to rest by the side of his dead babies at the Lewis cemetery near Annapolis, a place we will always hold sacred to our hearts, for there we know lies one of the best friends we children and mother had on earth. Oh, what it means to give up father. One year ago we watched life slowly ebb out and it has been a year of heartaches and loneliness. Sometimes it seems only a dream that father is gone from us forever. Then there's the awakening, it is true but yet we know that we, too have the same debt to pay and "it wont be long; it may be soon,"' and we will look to the hills from which our strength cometh and lean heavily on the arms of our burden bearer, for we feel assured that some day if we are as faithful as the one that taught u


May each of us five children be able to say if we, like father, were called out:
"We want to like everybody."
May we, a broken family, look forward.
Wife and Children.
Annapolis, Mo., April 25.
(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...May 5, 1927)

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 112411215

Only walled lot in cemetery

Francis married Malinda Jane Jackson on 13 Mar 1881 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Malinda (daughter of John Lee Jackson and Jane Cravens) was born on 07 Jun 1861 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 02 Feb 1932 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Lewis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KD33-G9X
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Listed in 1860 Census age of 2/12. Census was taken 19 July 1860.

Birth:
3/12 in 1860 Census taken 19 Jul 1860

Died:
Yes

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L2N6-RGT
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This License Authorizes any Judge, Justice of the Peace, Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, or any other person authorized under the Laws of this State, to Solemnize Marriage Between John Lewis of County ofIron and State of No., who is over the age of twenty one years; and Tennessee Graham in the County of Iron and state of No, who is over the age of eighteen years.
Witness my hand as Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder, with the seal of office hereto affixed at my office in Ironton No. this 5th day of May 1883.
Joseph Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder.

***********************************************************************************************************

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This is to certify that the undersigned Justice of the Peace did, at Annapolis in said County, on the 6th day of May A.D. 1883 unite in Marriage the above named parties.
J.B. Hampton, Justice of the Peace

***********************************************************************************************************

The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for Record in my office, on the 16th day of May 1883, at 2 o'clock p.m.
Joseph Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder.
(Copy received in June 1991 from Carolyn Keathley McBurney)

!OBITUARY

We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Ed. Lewis' father, John Lewis of Flat River. He was near 90 years of age. Several relatives attended the funeral Friday.
(ANNAPOLIS HAPPENINGS column THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...Friday, December 19, 1947)

!NOTES

John Lewis died of complications of age. He is buried in the Parkview Cemetery in Farmington, Missouri.
(Information received from Mary Lu Politte in September 1992. She obtained the info from John's daughter, Grace Lewis Hutson)

!LETTER May 2
Dear Mary Lu,

Dad and his first wife, Tennessee had three children I believe. Only a son Edward was living when his and Mother were married.

He was the same age as my Mother and was gone from home, and I believe was married.

He didn't keep very close touch with Dad when we were growing up so I can't give you all the information about him.

I'll give you the address of his eldest daughter (Opal Burns Ironton, MO)
if you want to contact her. He has been deceased a long time.

Love, Grace
(Part of a letter written to Mary Lu Politte by Grace Lewis Hutson)

Children:

180*EDWARD LEWIS

He also married 23 Dec 1909 in IRON COUNTY, MISSOURI, (181) EMMA SUTTON who was born 19 Dec 1880 in ANNAPOLIS, IRON COUNTY, MISSOURI. EMMA died 27 Jan 1968 and was buried 29 Jan 1968 in FARMINGTON, ST FRANCOIS CO, MISSOURI.

!NOTES
Emma Sutton was the daughter of Rebecca (Martin) and Nathan Sutton. She was first married to Sim Douglas and they had a daughter, Lucy Douglas. Lucy was born on June 13, 1903. She married Orda McLeod. Lucy died on November 3, 1977.

Emma Sutton Douglas then married John Lewis. They had two daughters, Gertie and Grace. Emma died of a stroke in January 1968. she is buried in the Parkview Cemetery in Farmington, Missouri.
(Information received from Mary Lu Politte in September 1992. She obtained the info from Emma's daughter, Grace Lewis Hutson)

!LETTER May 2
Dear Mary Lu,

My mother, Emma Sutton was Dad's second wife and Lucy Douglas was her daughter. She was six when Mom and Dad was married. Her father was Sim Douglas. He didn't live long after his and Mom were married.

Love,
Grace
(Part of a letter written to Mary Lu Politte by Grace Lewis Hutson, John and Emma Lewis' daughter)

Children:
*GERTIE MAE LEWIS b. 2 Oct 1910 d. 27 Nov 1985
*GRACE LEWIS b. 8 Mar 1912

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 29924844

Parkview Cemetery

John married Tennessee Josephine Graham on 06 May 1883 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Tennessee (daughter of Elijah Graham and Charlotte Casteel) was born in 1863 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died in 1885 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Emma Sutton on 23 Dec 1909 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Emma (daughter of Nathan C. Sutton and Rebeckah Martin) was born on 19 Dec 1883 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 27 Jan 1968 in Esther, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA; was buried on 29 Jan 1968 in Farmington, Saint Francois County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LLQD-YGP
• Name: Andy
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 70692017

Mountain View Cemetery

Andrew married Sarah A. Bounds on 19 Apr 1895 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States. Sarah (daughter of Jesse Lachman Bounds and Ruth Annie Brawley) was born on 16 Mar 1876 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; died on 29 Apr 1919 in , Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KJP1-DYL
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This License Authorizes any Judge, Justice of the Peace, Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, or any other person authorized under the Laws of this State, to Solemnize Marriage Between Robert L. Lewis of Des Arc County of Iron and State of No., who is over the age of twenty one years, and Maggie E. Sheldin of Annapolis in the County of Iron and State of No., who is over the age of eighteen years.

Witness my hand as Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder, with the seal of

office hereto affixed, at my office in Ironton No the 4th day of April 1891.
By Arthur Huff, Deputy. J. Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder.

***********************************************************************************************************

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This is to certify that the undersigned a Justice of the Peace did, at Annapolis in said County, on the 5 day of April A. D. 1891 unite in Marriage the above named persons.

J.B. Hampton, JP
***********************************************************************************************************

The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for record in my office on the 6th day of April 1891.

J. Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder.
(Copy of certificate received from Carolyn Keathley McBurney in June 1991)

!OBITUARY
AGED MAN KILLS SELF
BLACK RIVER MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF AND DIES

This community was shocked and grieved last Friday to hear that Robert Lee (known as Bob) Lewis of Black River, had shot himself that day. Outside of his being in bad health for some time no reason could be ascribed for the act.

He was born on January 26, 1867 and was 75 years old. He had lived around Annapolis all his life. On April 25, 1891, more than 52 years ago, he was married to Elma Maggie Sheldon. To this union was born 12 children, four dying in infancy and one, Edna, passing away at the age of 13. The seven, who with the wife, survive are: Mrs. Macey Slusher, of St. Louis; Mrs. Shirley Johnson, Annapolis; Mrs. Anna Miller and Freddie, the surviving son, both of St. Louis; Mrs. Clara Brown, of Annapolis; Mrs. Mary Trask,of Dexter; Mrs. Maxine Trask, of St. Louis.

Mr. Lewis was converted at an early age and joined the Presbyterian church. He lived a useful life, happy in his work and was loved by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Presbyterian church in Annapolis. The service was in the charge of Rev. Everett Lewis, formerly of Sabula, but now of Ironton, and was assisted by Rev. Paler and Rev. Curt. Burial was at the Lewis cemetery at Leadanna. (THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper ...Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri...Friday, July 9, 1943)

!OBITUARY
ANNAPOLIS RESIDENT DIES OF
GUN--SHOT WOUND

Robert Lee Lewis, well known and highly regarded citizen of the south end of the county, was found dead a hundred yards or so from his farm hose last Friday from gun shot wounds, accidentally or self inflicted, no one seemingly certain which. At first word came here that he had shot himself, but this has since been discounted to a certain degree as no one can give any reasonable cause for such decision. It is said that he had gone, with his Winchester Rifle, to the rear of his hose where skunks had been catching chickens, supposedly to kill skunks, as he had done the previous few days. To get where the varmints were would necessitate climbing a fence where he was found after a shot was heard by members of the family, and they are more or less of the opinion that in attempting to cross the fence the gun was accidentally discharged, the bullet striking his in the chest. An ambulance was summoned immediately but Mr. Lewis expired before reaching the hospital.

Robert Lee Lewis, son of William and Abigail Lewis, was born near Annapolis, No., January 26, 1867, and departed this life July 2, 1943, being aged 75 years, 4 months and 24 days. A little more than fifty two years ago, on April 5, 1891, he was married toElsa Maggie Sheldon. To this union were born 12 children, four dying in infancy, and one, Edna, passing away at 13 years of age. The seven, who with the widow, survive, are: Mrs. Macey Slusher, St. Louis; Mrs. Shirley Johnson, Annapolis; Mrs. Anna Millerand Freddie, the one surviving son, St. Louis; Mrs. Clara Brown, Annapolis; Mrs. Mary Trask, Dexter; Mrs. Maxine Trask, St. Louis.

Also left to mourn his passing are 24 grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters, Mrs. Martha Keathley, Ironton; Mrs. Kate Robinson, Des Arc; five brothers, Jerome and J.M., Des Arc; Fred, Cape Girardeau; John, Flat River, and William of St. Louis.

Deceased was converted at an early age and became a member of the Presbyterian church. He lived a useful life, happy in his work, and was loved by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church, Annapolis, Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. E.E. Lewis, of Ironton, assisted by Rev. Paler and Rev. Curt of Annapolis, with interment in the Lewis Cemetery, near there, in charge of N.R. White and Sons, Ironton.

The Register extends profound sympathy to the family in their sad bereavement.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, NO ...July 8, 1943)

!NOTES

Robert Lee Lewis is buried in the Lewis Cemetery in Annapolis, Missouri.
(Information from his daughter, Mary Lewis Trask, was received from Mary Lu Politte in September 1992)

EDNA LEWIS b. 13 Feb 1893 d. 18 Feb 1906
MACEY LEWIS b. 25 Jan 1896 d. 1 May 1988
SHIRLEY LEWIS b. 1 Aug 1898
ANNIE LEWIS b. 22 Jan 1900 d. 5 Aug 1988
FREDDIE LEWIS b. 25 Jut 1901 d. 29 Aug 1980
ELMA LEWIS b. 26 Jan 1903 d. 27 Jan 1903
ROBERT LEWIS b. 22 Apr 1904 d. 4 May 1904
CLARA LEWIS b. 8 Mar 1909
MARY LEE LEWIS b. 28 Jan 1914
MAXINE FREDIA LEWIS b. 18 Oct 1919

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 112411511

Robert married Elma Maggie Sheldon on 05 Apr 1891 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Elma (daughter of James B. Sheldon) was born on 03 Feb 1873 in Sabula, Iron County, Missouri, United States; died on 03 Apr 1965 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Lewis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: M8JX-4GQ
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Listed in 1880 Census as 10 years old

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L47M-S26
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This License Authorizes any Judge of a Court of Record or Justice of the Peace, or any Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, who is a citizen of the United States, to Solemnize Marriage between Jerome B. Lewisof the County of Iron and State of Missouri who is over the age of twenty-one years; and Miss Zella Seal of the County of Iron and State of Missouri who is over the age of eighteen years.

Witness my hand as Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds, with the seal of office hereto affixed, at my office in Ironton Mo. this 31st day of December 1902

By C.G. Whitworth, Deputy.

Arthur Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds.

**********************************************************************************************************

STATE OF MISSOURI ...COUNTY OF IRON ...This is to certify that the undersigned Justice of the Peace did at Des Arc, Mo in said County, on the 4th day of January A.D. 1903, unite in Marriage the above named persons. And I further certify that I am a citizen of the United States, and legally qualified under the laws of the State of Missouri to solemnize Marriages.

J.H. Johnson JP

**********************************************************************************************************

The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for record in my office on the 3rd day of January A.D. 1903.

Arthur Huff, Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds. (Copy of liscense received June 1991 from Carolyn Keathley McBurney)

!OBITUARY

Jerome B. Lewis one of our oldest citizens, passed away at his home here on Christmas day, about noon after a lingering illness. He had many friends here and in Iron County. He owned a nice farm near the Roberts community but when he grew older and his boys all left the farm to find employment in the city he moved to town and sold his farm now owned by R. D. Mann. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He leaves his widow and nine children who were all here to attend the funeral except Mrs. Ben Knight of Parkville, Missouri, who came after getting the news about her fathers death but received a telephone message after arriving here that her husband became ill and had entered a hospital. She and her children left at once to return to Parkville to be near him. We are glad to report he is improving.

Mr. Lewis' wife, the former Miss Zella Seal passed away some years ago. She was the mother of his children. In later years he was married to Miss Ailsey Blanton of Ironton. She has been a faithful wife to him and a mother to his children and tenderly nursed him during his illness.

Funeral services were held from the School Gym, Monday afternoon. A large crowd of friends and relatives attended. Rev. West, his former pastor, preached the funeral assisted by Rev. A. L. Gilliam, pastor of the Baptist church and R.I. Stamp offered a prayer.

Mr. Lewis was a good Christian man and a member of the Presbyterian church. The choir was composed of members from all the churches. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Seal from Flat River sang a special number with Mrs. Hazel Hagerty at the piano.

The McSpadden Funeral Home of Van Buren had charge of the funeral. There were many beautiful floral sprays and wreaths and lovely baskets from his many friends and relatives. Burial was in the family lot here.

Among the relatives attending were Fred Lewis and family from Cape Girardeau, Billy Lewis and family from Flat River, brothers of Mr. Lewis, The Blanton families was from Ironton, The late Tyler Keathley family and their children, Miss Alta Lewis from Kenosha, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lewis and family from Alton, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ross Nichols and son from Belleview,

Russell Lewis and wife and baby from St. Louis, Pfc. Carter Lewis from his camp in Washington, Mrs. Avis Jones and children from Ironton. One daughter, Mrs. Edgar Lovelace, husband and children had recently sailed for New Zealand and could not be here. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the widow and children.

May the Lord bless and comfort them in their great loss of a loving husband and father. He was our friend. (THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper ...DES ARC HARKENINGS column... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri... Thursday, December 30, 1954)

!NOTES

Jerome Bonepart Lewis is buried in the Mt. View Cemetery in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri. (Information received in September 1992 from Mary Lu Politte. She obtained the info from Ruth Jones McHenry)

!NOTES

Zilla Seal Lewis was buried in the Des Arc Cemetery in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri.

Children:

HAZEL LEWIS b. 28 Sep 1903 d. 26 Mar 1906
AVIS LEWIS b. 27 Aug 1906 d. 12 May 1988
ORPHA LEWIS b. 12 Jun 1909 d. 13 Dec 1918
JEROME BUFORD LEWIS b. 23 Jan 1916
INEZ LEWIS b. 27 May
HOWARD LEWIS b. 9 Jun 1918
RUSSELL LEWIS b. Jun 1920
WANA LEWIS b. 3 Sep 1923 d. 9 Sep 1982
CARTER LEWIS b. 12 Dec
VELA LEWIS b. 23 Oct 1924
ALTA LEWIS b. 30 Oct d. 1 Jul 1976

He also married (208) AILSEY BLANTON.

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

1900 United States Federal Census about Jerome B Lewis
Name: Jerome B Lewis
[Gerome B Lawes]
Age: 27
Birth Date: Nov 1872
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1900: Union, Iron, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's name: Abigal Lewis
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Abigal Lewis 60
Jerome B Lewis 27
William W Lewis 23
Katie Lewis 21
Fred Lewis 19
James M Lewis 16

1910 United States Federal Census about Jerome Lewis
Name: Jerome Lewis
Age in 1910: 37
Birth Year: abt 1873
[abt 1853]
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1910: Union, Iron, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Zella Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jerome Lewis 37
Zella Lewis 26
Avious Lewis 3
Alta Lewis 2
Orpha Lewis 0
[10/12]
Abigail Lewis 70
Fred Lewis 29


1920 United States Federal Census about Jerome Lewis
Name: Jerome Lewis
Age: 47
Birth Year: abt 1873
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1920: Union, Iron, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Zille Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Home Owned: Own
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jerome Lewis 47
Zille Lewis 36
Avious Lewis 13
Alla Lewis 12
Inez Lewis 8
Buford Lewis 4
Howard Lewis 1

1930 United States Federal Census about Jerome B Lewis
Name: Jerome B Lewis
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1873
Birthplace: Missouri
Race: White
Home in 1930: Union, Iron, Missouri
Map of Home: View map
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Zella Lewis
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Occupation:

Education:

Military service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace:

View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jerome B Lewis 57
Zella Lewis 46
Inez M Lewis 18
J Buford Lewis 14
Howard H Lewis 12
Acie R Lewis 9
[9 9/12]
Wana L Lewis 6
[6 6/12]
Velah A Lewis 5
[5 5/12]
Carter C Lewis 0
[2 3/12]


1940 United States Federal Census about Jerome B Lewis
Name: Jerome B Lewis
Respondent: Yes
Age: 67
Estimated birth year: abt 1873
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Union, Iron, Missouri
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Union, Iron, Missouri
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 18B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 307
Occupation: Farmer
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 1000
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 5th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jerome B Lewis 67
Buford Lewis 24
Russell Lewis 19
Vera Lewis 15
Carter C Lewis 12

Jerome married Zilla Seal on 04 Jan 1903 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Zilla (daughter of John Polk Seal and Mary E. Mann) was born on 03 Dec 1883 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 13 Jun 1938 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jerome married Ailsey Litia Blanton on 06 Dec 1944 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Ailsey (daughter of Josiah Thompson Blanton and Caroline F Kinkead) was born on 21 Mar 1895 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 08 May 1987 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: K82Z-M21
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Thursday, May 5, 1955...James Lewis was in Ironton Sunday to see his sister, Mrs. Tyler Keathley who suffered a stroke at her home in Ironton.

Thursday, June 9, 1955...We are sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. Tyler Keathley who had been ill for some time. She was a sister to James Lewis and the late Jerome Lewis.
(DES ARC HARKENINGS column ...THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri)

!DEATH CERTIFICATE

Martha Eveline Keathley was born Nov. 25, 1874 in Annapolis, Missouri. She died June 5, 1955 at the age of 80 years, 6 months, and 10 days. She died in Arcadia Township, Iron County, Missouri. Martha's parents were William Lewis and Abagail Johnson. She was married to William Tyler Keathley. The informant was Walker Keathley of Ironton, Missouri. Martha (Lewis) Keathley was buried on June 8, 1955 in the Arcadia Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Ironton, Missouri.
(copy of death certificate in possession of Linda Lewis on 6/16/1990)

!OBITUARY

Martha Evaline Keathley (nee Lewis) was born near Annapolis, Missouri, November 25, 1874, and died June 5, 1955, aged 80 years, 6 months and 11 days.

She was united in Marriage to William Tyler Keathley on Feb. 19, 1892. He preceded her in death on June 18, 1953. To this union was born thirteen children. Eleven children survive. The children living are: Della Tesreau, St. Louis, Missouri; Walker Keathley, Ironton, Missouri; Lucille Fanali, Point Arena, Calif.; Nettie Helms, Hamburg, Michigan; Lester Keathley, Ironton, Missouri; Charles E. Keathley, San Gabriel, California; Clarence Keathley, Jefferson City, Missouri; Herschel Keathley, Anchorage, Alaska; Myrene Wallace, Bismarck, Missouri; Lorene Keathley, Ironton, Missouri; Marshall Keathley, Midland, Texas.

She also leaves twenty eight grandchildren and twenty five great grandchildren to honor her memory.

At the age of sixteen she was converted at a cottage prayer service in the house of Lee Jackson and baptized in Big Creek, near Annapolis, Missouri. For many years she has been a member of the First Baptist Church, here in Ironton.

During her entire life, she practiced Christian principals in her house and in her community. Her life was a testimony to the Writings in the Proverbs:

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat of the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Therefore, with the poet we can say:

Out of Earth
the flower,

Out of Winter,
Spring

Death cannot hold forever,
anything.
IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, NO ...June 9, 1955)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
findagrave memorial # 53792664

Martha married William Tyler Keathley on 19 Feb 1892 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA. William (son of James Addison Keathley and Nancy Jane Asbury) was born on 03 Aug 1870 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 18 Jun 1953 in Arcadia, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KCTG-MQ7
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!OBITUARY
W.W. LEWIS

William Walter 'Billy' Lewis died at Bonne Terre Hospital, Feb. 6, being 87 years of age. He was born December 1, 1876, in Iron County, the son of the late William Lewis and Adie Gail (Johnson) Lewis. His wife, Mary Estell Lewis, preceded him in death.

He is survived by the following children, Emma, (Mrs. Clyde Davis) of Flat River; Audrey (Mrs. Finis Dalton) of Flat River; Golden Lewis of St. Louis; Ada Mae (Mrs. Lodus Hill) of St. Louis; Mary Leona (Mrs. Wayne Skaggs) of Compton, California; 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; a brother, Jim Lewis of Des Arc; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The body was in state at the Raymond Caldwell and Sons Funeral Chapel in Flat River until one o'clock Sunday. Funeral service was conducted at two o'clock at the Taylor Avenue Methodist Church in Flat River by the Rev. Harold Nance.

Burial was in St. Francois Memorial Park with arrangements under the direction of the Raymond Caldwell and Sons Funeral Home.
(WAYNE COUNTY JOURNAL BANNER newspaper ...Piedmont, Wayne County, Missouri... Thursday, February 13, 1964)

Children:
EMMA LEWIS
AUDREY LEWIS
GOLDEN LEWIS
ADA MAE LEWIS
MARY LEONA LEWIS

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Buried:
Find a Grave Memorial # 62561765

William married Mary Estella Golden on 28 Jun 1904 in Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA. Mary was born on 23 Dec 1880 in , Washington County, Missouri, USA; died on 11 Oct 1948 in Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA; was buried in St. Francois Memorial Park, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LQRW-WD4
• Name: Katie
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!OBITUARY

Our Community was very grieved last week when word came that Mrs. Kate Robinson had passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Opal Rayfield, in St. Louis. She had recently underwent a very serious operation at Bestheda Hospital. She seemed to improve and was brought to her daughter's hose but grew worse and her children were all called to her bedside except one daughter, Mrs. Rella Seal, who was not able to go. Our sympathy is extended to her and the other children in the loss of their good mother. Mrs. Robinson had lived here since the death of her husband some years ago and she was a faithful member of the church here. She will be greatly missed in the church as she was always present and enjoyed the service. Her funeral was held from the gym and a large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends attended. Rev. P. A. Abernathy, her pastor, paid a beautiful tribute to her memory and spoke of her many kind deeds and her home was always open and a welcome to her pastor. Her children will miss her com

The World would be a better place to live if there were more Christian mothers like Mrs. Robinson. She has left a wonderful heritage to her children. She was laid to rest by the side of her husband and daughter.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful. May God bless and comfort her loved ones.
(DES ARC HARKENINGS column THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper... Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...Friday, May 31, 1946)

!NOTES

Katherine Lewis Robinson is buried in the Mt. View Cemetery in Des Arc, Missouri. (Information obtained by Mary Lu Politte from Rella Lewis Seals)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Grave GPS:
Mountain View Cemetery
Des Arc, MO
37.284426, -90.626524

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 62223212

Mountain View Cemetery

Katherine married John Wesley Robinson on 30 Nov 1902 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. John (son of Absolam Parker Robinson and Josephine June Parks) was born on 18 Mar 1880 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 27 Dec 1941 in Steelville, Crawford County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KN4F-SP6
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE STATE OF MISSOURI... COUNTY OF IRON ...This License authorizes any Judge of a Court of Record or any Justice of the Peace, or any licensed or ordained Preacher of the Gospel, who is a Citizen of the United States, or who is a resident ofand a Pastor of any Church in this State to solemnize Marriage between Fred Lewis of Des Arc in the County of Iron and State of Missouri who is over the age of twenty one years, and Ethel M. Miller of Des Arc in the County of Iron and State of Missouri who is over the age of eighteen years. This is to certify that I did on the 27th day of May unite in marriage Fred Lewis and Ethel M. Miller.

Witness My Hand, as Circuit Clerk and ex Officio Recorder of Deeds with the Seal of Office hereto affixed at my Office in Ironton No this 23rd day of may 1916.

J.M. Hawkins, Circuit Clerk and ex Officio Recorder of Deeds

******************************************************************************************************

STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF IRON ...This is to Certify, that the undersigned, Fred Lewis and Ethel M. Miller did, at Des Arc in said County, on the 27 day of May A. D. 1916 unite in Marriage the above named persons, and I further certify that I as legally qualified under the Laws of the State of Missouri to solemnize Marriages.

Eld. H. J. Wray.
*****************************************************************************************************
The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for Record in my office on the
26 day of June A.D. 1916
J. M. Hawkins, Circuit Clerk and ex Officio Recorder of Deeds
(Copy of certificate obtained from Carolyn Keathley McBurney in June 1991)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
DES ARC ITEMS

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis called while at their old home last Sunday, and said they were all well contented with the new home over at the Cape. (IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper... Ironton, Missouri ...January 5, 1939)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis and son from Cape Girardeau were here last week to visit his brother, James Lewis and family. They had been to Ironton to visit his sister, Mrs. Tyler Keathley who is ill but we are glad to report her as improved. (DES ARC HARKENINSS column ...THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri ...Thursday, May 12, 1955)

!OBITUARY
FRED LEWIS, 77, CAPE BUSINESSMAN, DIES, BORN AT ANNAPOLIS

Fred Lewis, 77 years old, president of the Wimpy’s Drive In and Market, 800 North Kingshighvay, Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday night, July 22, at 6:10 at a hospital there where he had been admitted Saturday from the family home at 819 West Cape Rock Drive. Mr. Lewis had been in failing health three months.

Funeral services were conducted last Thursday afternoon at 2 at First Presbyterian Church Cape Girardeau, by the pastor. Rev. C.E. Mount. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers, all nephews, were Buford Lewis, Howard Lewis, Darwin Lewis,Russell Lewis, Elvis Lewis and Orville Lewis.

Surviving relatives are his wife, Mrs. Ethel Lewis; four sons, Frank, Francis, Freeman and Billie J. Lewis, all of Cape; two daughters, Mrs. Truman Howard and Mrs. E. Lawrence Bahn of Cape Girardeau and 11 grandchildren.
Two brothers surviving are J.M. Lewis of Des Arc and W.W. Lewis of Flat River.
Born January 16, 1881, at Annapolis, he Married Miss Ethel Miller on May 27, 1916. Mr. Lewis engaged in farming until they moved to Cape Girardeau in 1938 from Des Arc. In 1943, he and two of the sons, Freeman and Billie opened the present place of business. The son, Frank, joined the firm in 1948.
Mr. Lewis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.
(Thursday, July 31, 1958...Copy of newspaper clipping was received in September 1992 from Mary Lu Politte. She obtained the article from Naomi Lewis Zager)

!NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Mrs. James Lewis and Darwin Lewis, Mrs. Everett Seal, Mr. and Mrs. Buford Lewis attended the funeral of Fred Lewis at Cape Girardeau last week. Mr. Lewis was born and reared on a farm near Des Arc and had many friends here. His funeral was held from the Presbyterian Church at Cape Girardeau where he was an active member. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Ethel Lewis and a number of children and grandchildren. We sympathize with the bereaved ones.
(THE MOUNTAIN ECHO newspaper ...Ironton, Iron County, Missouri... July 31, 1958)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

Fred Lewis birthplace (1881) - GPS: 37.367836 -90.711768

Fred Lewis farm (1910-1938) - GPS: 37.301644. -90.609957

In 1941, Fred Lewis was employed by a Florist, Ledru R. Johnson, whose flower shop and greenhouse was located at 730 N. Henderson in Cape Girardeau.

On the Fred Lewis farm:

Susie is the blind mule
Kit is the mule
Charlie is the horse

Written by oldest grandchild - Richard Lewis Howard in May 2023:

My mother’s father, my grandpa, Fred Lewis was born at Annapolis, Missouri on January 16, 1881 to William Lewis and Abigail Johnson the 12th of 13 children. Grandpa Fred was a thin, wiry, not strong man. He was very friendly and well liked by all who met him. He was the exact opposite of grandma. Grandpa loved to interact with people. He was always telling jokes. I’m still amazed at how he remembered all his jokes. I don’t have the ability to remember even one joke from one day to the next.

Grandpa Fred grew up on a farm and later owned his own farm. He got married when he was 35 years old. Grandma and grandpa Lewis had four boys and two girls. They raised their children in a two level, eight room farm house, with four rooms on each level. Mother told me the story of some of the children sleeping in the attic. In the winter time she said she would wake up sometimes with a sprinkling of snow on her covers. The kids helped their parents with the farm tasks from an early age. My mother tells the story of washing a drying dishes when she was so young that she had to stand on a stool to reach the sink. They stayed on the farm as long as they could, but when the children became young adults the burden became to much for grandma and grandpa and they sold the farm and moved to town.

My best memories of my grandpa Fred happened in and around Wimpy’s. My mother worked there in 1950 and 1951 when dad was recovering from tuberculosis. At other times, she often helped out when they were real busy. So as a youngster, I often found my self at Wimpy’s. I gravitated to the food market side of the building where I could find my grandpa. No matter the situation, he was always glad to see me. I know being the first grandchild worked in my favor here. Grandpa would ask me if I wanted to help him and for some reason I was always ready for the task he gave me. Many times we just worked together on whatever he was involved with at the time and he would teach me how to do whatever it was we were doing. They did not have an electric vacuum cleaner, so we were always sweeping the wooden floors in the grocery aisles.

in the basement underneath the restaurant were stacks and stacks of wooden crates filled with different brands of soda. Grandpa had a wooden slide that we used to slide the full soda crates down the stairs into the basement then we carried them to the appropriate stack. I was strong enough to carry the crates of empty bottles, but grandpa had to carry the ones with the full bottles. In the early days Wimpy’s sold cold bottles of soda. I don’t remember the year they switched to fountain drinks. But they had fountain drinks when I started high school in 1957.

I loved to watch grandpa make the hamburgers sold in the restaurant. There was a meat locker full of sides of beef that was located in the butcher shop by the meat counter. We would go inside the locker and get a slab of beef and he would grind it up into ground beef. Then he mixed it with the special ingredients that made the Wimpy burger unique, form it into a long 12 inch or so slab, then put it into the meat slicer and slice the slab into patties with a piece of wax paper inserted between each patty. Oh the memories, this was a special time for me. The family still makes the Wimpy’s hamburgers for family get-to-gathers and special events.

Grandpa was my favorite grandparent. He always wanted to know what was going on in my life. He was the most compassionate of all my grandparents. Every time he saw me he wanted to know how I was doing in school. I don’t know how much education he had received growing up, but my education was real important to him. I would show him my report card and he would give me a quarter for every excellent grade I received. I did like a lot getting the money, but that wasn’t my source of motivation. I just liked school and learning.
As I got older and my other cousins started showing up, grandpa Fred and I spent less time together. But those early childhood years with him were very special to me. I’ll always remember him for his love and kindness to me.

Buried:
Grave 6 - Lot 170 - Section 8

Section 8, Lot 170, Grave 1

Fred married Ethel Mayme Miller on 27 May 1916 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Ethel (daughter of Jay Lafayette Miller and Martha Eveline (Mattie) King) was born on 25 Jan 1890 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 04 Dec 1970 in Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LCCV-9CS
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

!MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE or MISSOURI COUNTY OF IRON ...This license authorizes any Judge of a Court of Record or Justice of the Peace, or any Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, who is a citizen of the United States, or who is a resident of and a pastor of any Church in this State, to Solemnize Marriage between James M. Lewis of Des Arc in the County of Iron and State of Missouri who is over the age of twenty-one years, and Myrtle Fowler of Brunot in the County of Wayne and State of Missouri who is over the age of 21 years

Witness my hand as Recorder of Deeds, with the seal of office hereto affixed, at my office in Ironton, Missouri, this 3rd day of October, 1925.

J. M. Hawkins, Recorder of Deeds.
******************************************************************************************************
STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF IRON ss.

This is to certify that the undersigned Rev. G. A. Pegram, pastor Nazarene church, Des Arc, Mo did, at Des Arc, Mo in said County, on the ninth day of October A.D. 1925 unite in Marriage the above named persons. And I further certify that I as legally qualified under the laws of the State of Missouri, to solemnize Marriages.

Rev. G. A. Pegram, Minister.
***************************************************************************************************
The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for record in my office on the 23rd day of October A.D. 1925.

J. M. Hawkins Recorder of Deeds.
(Copy of this license was sent to Linda Lewis in June 1991 by Carolyn Keathley
McBurney)

!MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

This Certifies that Mr. James M. Lewis of Des Arc State of Missouri and Miss Myrtle M. Fowler of Brunot State of Missouri were united in Holy Matrimony at Des Arc, No., on the ninth day of October A.D. 1925, by authority of a License bearing date the third day of October, A.D. 1925 and issued by the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri.

Rev. G.A. Pegram

Pastor Nazarine Church Des Arc, No. Witnesses: J.W. Robinson and Everett Seal (Copy of certificate received from Mary Lu Politte in September 1992. She obtained a copy from Myrtle and James's daughter, Naomi Lewis Zager)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.


!OBITUARY
J.M. LEWIS EX-IRON COUNTY ASSESSOR DIES

Funeral service was conducted at the Des Arc Missionary Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. for one of Iron County's native sons, J. M. Lewis, who departed this life Nov. 12, having attained the age of fourscore and seven years.

The Rev. Gerald Collier and Rev. Elmo Parker were the officiating ministers, with the Rev. and Mrs. Clarence J. Casteel Jr., bringing message in song.

Burial was in the Mountain View Cemetery, Des Arc, under direction of the Gish-Bowles Funeral Home of Piedmont.

Pallbearers were Russell Lewis, Everett Seals, Buford Lewis, Frank Lewis, Francis Lewis, and Louis Seals.

Having spent the years of his useful life in Iron County, Mr. Lewis was a retired farmer and served twelve years as Iron County assessor.

James Monroe Lewis, son of William and Abigail Lewis, was born in Des Arc, Mo., on June 24, 1883 and died at the Clark's Mountain Home in Piedmont, Mo., on Nov. 12, 1970 at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 10 days.

He is survived by his wife, Myrtle M. Lewis of Des Arc, MO., two sons, Orville Lewis of Texas City, Tex., Darwin Lewis of St. Louis, Mo., two daughters, Yvonne Elrod of Piedmont, Mo., and Naomi Zager of Columbia, Mo.

He is survived by 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.

Mr. Lewis professed his faith in Christ at an early age and at the time of his death was a member of the Des Arc Baptist Church. WAYNE COUNTY JOURNAL BANNER newspaper ...Piedmont, Wayne County, Missouri... November 19, 1970)

Research notes courtesy of Linda E. Lewis, “George Lewis Descendants”, published October 1992.

!WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT

WEDDING BELLS

Our assessor J.M. Lewis and Miss Myrtle Fowler, were united in marriage at
the home of the former, by Rev. Dr. G.A. Pegram, Friday, Oct. 9, 1925, at seven
o'clock. About an hour later a crowd of fifty-eight persons gathered for the
customary charavari, and congratulations. The writer joins their zany friends
in entreating Providence to smile on this happy two through the coming years.
E.S.
(IRON COUNTY REGISTER newspaper ...Ironton, Iron Co., NO ...Thurs., Oct. 15, 1925)


James Lewis is Iron County Assessor 1904 -1912. In 1912, runs for Judge of County Court Southern District of Iron County representing the Democratic Party and wins.

Died:
no Death Certificate

Buried:
Mountain View Cemetery

James married Orra May Brewer on 14 Oct 1906 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Orra (daughter of John J. Brewer and Evaline Hale) was born on 18 Apr 1886 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died on 23 Jun 1923 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Myrtle Mae Fowler on 05 Oct 1925 in Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Myrtle was born on 30 Sep 1889 in Patterson, Wayne County, Missouri, USA; died on 12 Jan 1984 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Iron County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LYMJ-JDC
• Created: 01 Jul 2014

Family/Spouse: James. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9F97-6C9
• Name: Belle
• Created: 01 Jul 2014

Notes:

1900
Age: 37
Union township, Iron, Missouri

Residence
1910
Age: 47
Union, Iron, Missouri

Residence
1920
Age: 57
Union, Iron, Missouri

Burial
Annapolis Cemetery, Iron, Missouri
Annapolis Cemetery records - findagrave.com

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 14856886

Rebecca married Adolphus G Lotz on 08 May 1879 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. Adolphus was born in Apr 1848 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States; died on 11 Feb 1935 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9F97-6ZR
• Name: Jennie
• Created: 26 Apr 2021

Notes:

1880 Census:

Name: Nancy J. Rumburg
Age: 17
Birth Date: Abt 1863
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1880: Eminence, Shannon, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 44
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter-in-law
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: James M. Rumburg
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Married During Census Year: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Daniel A. Rumburg
44 Self (Head)
Amanda Rumburg
44 Wife
James M. Rumburg
23 Son
Nancy J. Rumburg 17 Daughter-in-law
Arzella J. Rumburg
19 Daughter
Melinda Mason Rumburg
10 Daughter

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 14856976

Nancy married James M. Rumburg about 1879. James was born in 1857 in , Lawrence County, Ohio, USA; died about 1882. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nancy married Augustus Lotz on 25 Mar 1883 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Augustus was born on 1 Mar 1846 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States; died on 16 Feb 1912 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LYMJ-6PQ
• Name: Lee
• Created: 26 Apr 2021

Levander married Martha E. Brewer on 13 Dec 1886 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. Martha (daughter of George Washington Brewer and Cintha "Cinthy" Myers) was born on 14 Dec 1868 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 12 Jun 1941 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Gally
• Created: 26 Apr 2021

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 75903227

Galveston married Nancy Jane Brewer on 20 Jan 1893 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Nancy was born on 10 Jun 1874 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA; died in , Iron County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LYMJ-DGM
• Name: Brewer
• Name: Lottie
• Created: 05 Jul 2021

Notes:

1880 Census:

Name: Hepsy Castule
[Castile]
Age: 6
Birth Date: Abt 1874
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1880: Union, Iron, Missouri, USA
Dwelling Number: 131
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: James Castule
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Name: Martha Castule
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
James Castule 46 Self (Head)
Martha Castule 42 Wife
Josephine Castule 19 Daughter
James L. Castule 14 Son
Galveston Castule 12 Son
Harriett Castule 10 Daughter
Hepsy Castule 6 Daughter

I have not found a marriage record for Hepsey "Lottie" to George W. Walker. It would be 2nd marriage for both - occuring between after death of Lottie's first husband - Green Brewer 19 Feb 1919 and after death of George's first wife, Martha 23 Jun 1921

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 163524933

Family/Spouse: George Washington Walker. George was born on 9 Sep 1881 in Redford, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA; died on 21 Dec 1960 in Hillsboro, Jefferson County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Saint Peter's Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hepsie married Green Brewer on 1 Jun 1890 in Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri, USA. Green was born on 7 Jun 1863 in Lesterville, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; died on 19 Feb 1919. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 9QGS-J7J
• Created: 27 Mar 2012

Sarah married Wallace Taylor Keathley on 1 Jul 1877 in , Iron County, Missouri, USA. Wallace (son of Henry Sevier Keathley and Nancy Elizabeth Trout) was born on 15 Jan 1852 in , Pike County, Kentucky, USA; died on 18 Sep 1929 in Lesterville, Reynolds County, Missouri, United States; was buried in Hyatts Creek Cemetery, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]