My Genealogy Hound

Augustus Buckner Lewis. Closely connected with the mercantile interests of Washington County, Ark., is the name of Augustus B. Lewis, who was born in Hempstead County, Ark., April 28, 1835, the son of Joseph and Mary Bartlett (Brown) Lewis, grandson of John Lewis, and great-grandson of John or Hugh Lewis, who came over from Ireland at an early date, and settled in North Carolina, but afterward moved to Kentucky, where he remained until 1804, when he moved to Washington County, Mo. Joseph Lewis was born in Livingston County, Ky., in 1802, and in 1822 he went on horseback and alone to Lawrence County, Ark., thence to Independence County, thence to Pulaski, and later to Hempstead County, but finally, In 1831, he and a younger brother, Hugh, made a settlement in Washington County, Ark., where he settled with his wife and two sons, Rowland and A. B., in 1836. He died in 1884, and lacked but a few days of being eighty-two years of age. He had been a worthy and consistent member of the Christian Church for over forty years, and died in full communion with the faith of the same. Mrs. Lewis passed away in 1875, and was a little over sixty-six years of age. She was also a devout member of the Christian Church. They reared five sons and one daughter: Rowland H., Henry T. (who now resides In the Indian Nation), A. B., J. C ., Mrs. N. J. Rogers and William P., who lost his life at the fall of Atlanta, July 28, 1864, and is now buried in the cemetery there. The five brothers were all in the Confederate army, and rendered active and honorable service. The father of these children went south during the war, and after the storm clouds had passed away he returned to find that he had not only lost $20,000 above all indebtedness, but become heavily involved. He went to work, and with hard work and good management soon surmounted all his difficulties. Cornelius Brown, father of Mrs. Joseph (Brown) Lewis, was a native of Virginia, and left the home in that State and made a settlement in Miller County, Ark., at what is now known as the Choctaw Nation, adjacent to Dokesville, the capital of that Nation. He died there at a ripe old age. His widow and family then returned to Hempstead County, Ark. Augustus B. Lewis was merchandising on his own account when the war broke out, but had previously received a good education in Arkansas College. He enlisted in the Confederate army, was in service during the entire war, and was a faithful and honorable soldier. After returning home he farmed for four years, and then moved to Fayetteville, Washington Co., Ark., where he clerked from July 20, 1869, until January, 1882. He then engaged in business for himself. December 26, 1869, he wedded Miss Rebecca Sophia Hewitt, daughter of Nelson and Cynthia (Crimm) Hewitt, natives of Tennessee, and pioneers of Washington County. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born these children: Lucius Lucretius, Lena Leota and Linneaus Lamar. Mr. Lewis was elected treasurer of Washington County for four years, but only served two years on account of the change of the State constitution. Mr. Lewis and family worship at the Christian Church the church of his fathers.