My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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Isaac N. Lewis was one of Clark County’s prominent citizens, born in Butler County, Ky., in the year 1812. He was the son of James A. Lewis, a native of North Carolina, and Margaret (Tygot) Lewis, a native of Virginia. The parents came to Kentucky at a very early date, where they were united in marriage. They were prominent and highly respected people. Isaac N. passed his youth with his parents, receiving the best education that the schools of that day afforded, and afterward much improved it by observation and desultory reading. He went to Simpson County, Ky., where he began the study of law, and was finally admitted to the bar. He remained there for five years, after which he sought a new location, and in 1838 moved to Van Buren County, Iowa, locating at Keosauqua, the county seat. He was very successful here, and soon had an extensive practice. He became prominent, and was elected a representative to the Territorial Legislature, and as such discharged his duties in a highly creditable manner. In the practice of the law his partner was J. V. Howell, who edited a paper in Keokuk. Early in the decade of the forties he removed to Clark County, Mo., and located upon a farm. Prior to the war he was twice elected to represent Clark County in the State Legislature, and also served as such during the exciting years of the war. In 1862 he was a candidate for circuit judge, his opponent being James Ellison, the latter being elected. After the war Mr. Lewis avoided politics. In 1840 he met and married his wife, and to them have been born thirteen children, as follows: Harriet C., Margaret O., James B., Lucy E., Isaac N., Loranah A., Webster C., Susan A., Ida M., Mary V., Anna M., Florence E. and an infant. The family of Mr. Lewis is one of the best in the county. In early life our subject was a Whig, and before the war was an owner of slaves, but during the war he was a Union man, and since that time had been a Democrat. Mr. Lewis was a believer in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterians. He was a man of few words, of steadfast determination, and his personal honor was above reproach. His death, which occurred a few weeks ago, was bemoaned by a large circle of friends.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clark County, Missouri family biographies here: Clark County, Missouri Biographies

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