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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Calvin L. Lewis, a progressive and well to do planter, residing in Redland Township, was born February 7, 1845, and is the son of William and Hester A. (Reynolds) Lewis, natives of Alabama, born in 1821 and 1823, respectively. The parents were married in their native State, and became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living: James T., Noble R., Brice W., Loney (wife of William Robins), Emily J. (wife of William Roberts), Alice (wife of J. Mullens) and Willie B. (Mrs. Brooks). The father emigrated to Arkansas in 1847, settled in Columbia County, and took up 280 acres of land, on which he built a log cabin and made other improvements. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He held the position of justice of the peace for a number of years, and other positions of trust in his township. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which the mother was also a member. She died in 1873, and the father in 1875. Calvin L. Lewis was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Roberts, who died in 1871, leaving two children, only one of whom is now living- Jordon L. Mrs. Lewis was a native of Prairie County, Ark., and was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Lewis was married to his second wife, Miss Rhoda E. Campbell, a native of Hempstead County, Ark., born March 15, 1854, in 1873. She was the daughter of Jerome and Harriet (Alexander) Campbell, born in 1821 and 1820, respectively, the former in Kentucky, and the latter in Hempstead County, Ark. Mr. Campbell came to Arkansas with his parents, and was married in Hempstead County in 1843. Of the ten children born to his union, eight are now living: Susanah (wife of J. P. City), Henry B., John B., Rhoda E. (wife of Mr. Lewis), Jerome A., Harriet (wife of Andrew Robins), Lemuel R. and Evandor M. The father of these children died in 1861, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother is also a member of that church, and is now a resident of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of ten children, nine now living: Delia A., Laura L., Myrtle N., Calvin A., Matie A., Eligia B., Dora L. and Cora L. (twins) and Maggie L. Mr. Lewis is one of the wide-awake, industrious farmers of the county, and is the owner of 160 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. He and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Baptist Church, and he takes a decided interest in all religious and educational matters. Politically he is a Democrat. During the late war he enlisted in the cavalry, Company D, and served west of the Mississippi River, in the Confederate army, from 1864 until 1865. He was in the battles of Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, Mo., Independence, Mo., and in several skirmishes. His regiment was disbanded at Camden, Ark. Returning home after the war, Mr. Lewis engaged in farming, and has followed that as his principal occupation ever since.

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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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