My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Abner D. Lewis, register of Fayette County, was born in Charlotte County, Va., March 1, 1831, and is the son of Corbin and Nancy (Dobbs) Lewis, natives of Virginia. Our subject was brought to Madison County, Ala., by his parents when quite small and was raised on the farm. He secured his education at Huntsville, Ala. In 1851 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. D. Wharton, of Madison County, Ala., and in the same year entered the medical college at Richmond, Va. He attended one course of lectures at that place, and in 1854 graduated from the Richmond Virginia College, an excellent institution. He then commenced practicing his profession at Richmond, Va., and remained here until 1856, when he moved to Tennessee and located at La Grange Fayette County. He remained there practicing his profession until 1858, when he went to Arkansas and engaged in agricultural pursuits and speculating in lands in both Tennessee and Arkansas until 1865, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. In 1876 he was Elected to the State Legislature from Fayette County, and held that office three terms (until 1882). He was then elected postmaster at La Grange, and held this office until 1884. He was a partner of the firm of J. W. Dyer & Co. during this time, and during the same year turned his attention to the mercantile business again. He followed this occupation till 1886, when he was elected register of Fayette County. May 5, 1857, he was married to Sarah E. A. Parham, daughter of William S. and Sarah Rives, natives of Virginia. She died November 3, 1874, leaving a family of four children: E. E., Sarah E., Richard H. and Charley. In 1881 Mr. Lewis married Mattie C. McNamee, daughter of C. and Emily McNamee, of Fayette County. They have two children by this union, Kathleen and Elton. Mr. Lewis is a Republican in politics; a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F., and he and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.