from reprint of “Clarke County Historical and 
Biographical Record” by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p.108
JOHN LEWIS, the first settler of Jackson Township, 
resides on section 30. He came to Clarke County with 
his wife and three children in April, 1851, being one 
of the pioneer settlers of the County. He visited the 
county in 1850, and in the autumn of that year entered 
the southwest quarter of section 5, Franklin township, 
and the south half of the southwest quarter of section 
30, and the southwest quarter of southeastern quarter 
of section 30, the northwest quarter of northeast 
quarter of section 31, Jackson township. He planted 
corn the next spring.

Mr. Lewis was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, 
February 
19, 1823. His father, William Lewis, was born 
in Kentucky, 
and his mother, Mary (Morton) Lewis, was a native
 of North Carolina. They were married in Kentucky, 
and for several years afterward made their home in 
Indiana. In 1833 they moved to Morgan County, 
Indiana. Both lived to an advanced age. They 
reared eight children, John being the sixth child. 
He was raised a farmer, and that has been the 
occupation of his life.

In March, 1844, he was married to Miss Sophie 
Moran, who was born in Ohio, and died in 1845, 
at the age of twenty-three years. For his 
second wife Mr. Lewis married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Richard Collier, born in Monroe 
County, Indiana, November 15, 1826. In 1849 Mr. 
and Mrs. Lewis, with their two children came to 
Monroe County, Iowa. They made a claim which he 
partially improved, then sold out and came to 
Clarke County. He soon after began to have neighbors.

When Mr. Lewis came to Iowa he had about $500. 
He now owns 745 acres in Jackson township, and 
also owns other land, making in all 1,025 acres, 
the legitimate result of a life of industry and 
frugality. They have ten children--Taylor, of 
Barton County, Kansas; Scott, of Smith County, 
Kansas; Mary Ann, wife of C.W. Neal, of Jackson 
Township; Parthena, wife of R.J. Gray, of 
Jackson township; Richard M., of Osceola township; 
Sarah J., wife of F.P. Hood, Osceola City; 
Pleasant D., living near his parents on part of 
the homestead; John M., resides with his parents; 
John W., the seventh child died in infancy; 
William S., the youngest died at the age of two years.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been members of the 
Christian church many years. They, with others, 
shared all the trials and privations of pioneer 
life. They have witnessed the marvelous growth 
and development of Clarke County, and have 
shared in all the changes that have occurred 
from its birth. Mr. Lewis is a Democrat.

Richard M. Lewis was born May 18, 1856. He 
married Miss Electa Johnson, daughter of 
Charles Johnson, of Osceola Township. they 
have two children--Leroy and Monroe. He is 
an influential member of the democratic party, 
and has twice been the nominee for clerk of 
the court, though receiving a flattering vote, 
was each time defeated. He works a portion of 
his father’s farm.