My Genealogy Hound

Jacob W. Lewellen probably the oldest living native citizen of this county, was born March 19, 1834, the fifth of ten children of John W. and Jane E. (Trabue) Lewellen, the former of Welsh origin, born about 1805, in Kentucky, and the latter of French stock, born in Woodford County, Ky. The mother was a second cousin of Henry Clay. They came to Pike County as children, and were married by Rev. Biggs about 1824. In 1832 they removed to Clark County, and entered 1,400 acres. They lived there until 1859, when they settled permanently in Montgomery County, where the father died in 1886. The mother still lives with her daughter, Mrs. S. E. Bibb, in Ralls County. The father served as county judge for eight years, and was prominently identified with the history of this county, and held in high esteem by the people. Our subject was educated at the college at West Point, Iowa, and at the age of eighteen began for himself as a teacher. He taught for three years, and after his marriage, at the age of twenty-two, settled on his present farm. He inherited 211 acres, and has now acquired over 1,500 acres, on which he deals considerably in stock. He is probably the largest resident land owner in the township. His wife, Mary E., is the daughter of John N. Boulware; they were married November 6, 1856. Two of their seven children are deceased, and the mother’s death occurred in 1875. He was married, December 18, 1877, to Olivia M. Sexsmith, who was born December 18, 1846, in Virginia. His children are Nancy J. George E. (M. D.), Martha A., Josie Q., and Charles T., by his first marriage, and by his second Mary S., Maud M., Jessie V. and Edith A. He first voted for Buchanan, his party’s candidate. He has served as trustee for one term. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, while he and his daughter, Josie, hold to the Baptist faith.