Person:John Lewis (42)

Page 1128 ET.SEQ. of Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi Volume 1 published by the godspead publishing company of Chicago in 1891. The infomation begins with Colonel John South Lewis, Son of Aaron Lewis, of Kentucky and Virginia. Col. John S. Lewis (deceased) one of Wilkinson county's most worthy citizens, as well as one of its earliest settlers, is worthy of extended notice in this work. He was so well and favorably known, and his high character was so strongly appreciated, that his name should be written high on the role of fame. He was a native of Virginia, born February 25 1780 and died on February 29 1848, and was of a family of nine sons and three daughters. when but a child his parents emigrated to Kentucky and located in what is now Harden county,where they engaged in the growing of tobacco, which special occupation they had successfully followed in Virginia. John S. was principally educated at home by his father, who was a highly cultured gentleman of the old school, and had followed teaching to some extent. The father took special pains in educating his children and preparing them for active and useful lifes. He was himself one of a large family, having been the eldest of nine sons and one daughter, he was a native of Virginia but finally came to Kentucky, where he lived until his death, well advanced in years and honors. He Marie a Miss South , also of Virginia, who was a lady of unusual refinement and education. She lived the allotted time, three-score years and ten, and was a noble woman, full of good deeds and purposes. John S at the age of fourteen years, commenced flat boating down the river to New Orleans for his father, carrying tobacco, provisions, etc., and each time having to make his way back overland, following the Indian and Natchez trails to his home in Kentucky. Thus he must have traversed what is now Wilkinson county before 1800. He was quite prominently connected with the history of this county and with the Indian troubles. He distinguished himself to such a degree as to receive the title colonel by general consent. Some few years after 1800 he came to Woodville, and is credited in Claiborne's history as having built the second house in the place. Here he engaged in merchandising for a great many years, and became quite well to do. He invested heavily in the West Feliciana railroad and the Planters bank, of Woodville. After retiring from his mercantile pursuits he devoted his time to his plantation near Woodville, and there he spent the remainder of his days. He was a ardent supporter of the Whig party, and kept himself thoroughly posted on the topic of the day. He was first married to a widow Bruce. To Mr and Mrs Lewis was born one daughter. Sarah Ann who died at the age of twelve years. Some years after the death of Mrs Lewis the Colonel married Eunice W Higgins, who still survives him. She was born in Main, November 11, 1812, and was the daughter of Theopilus and Sarah (Hodgkins) Higgins, who were both natives of Maine. Mrs Lewis was the fifth child of a family of nine, all of whom lived to be grown. When a girl of thirteen summers She then entered the Wilbraham Academy, near Boston, Mass., where she graduated in 1834 standing high in all of her classes. soon after graduation she came south with Freind, and lived near Jackson, LA., with the family of Mr Thomas, where she was Maried to Mr. Lewis in 1836. By this union were born seven children - four sons and three daughters - five of whom lived to be grown, five of which are yet living: John S., Anna S., William H. H.,Fletcher D., and Edward H. all of whom lived in this county. The other two died at Infancy. ** Mr Lewis was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he took a very active part, was class leader and steward, and was also a very liberal supporter of the church. Mrs Lewis was a teacher in the first Sabbath school ever organized in Woodville, in which she took a very active part for many years. She was a highly cultured and respected lady, notwithstanding her age, is well preserved and in full possession of her faculties. She is still a teacher of Sunday School.