N. H. Lewis

As printed in 1907

N. H. LEWIS.

Among the native sons of Pottawattamie county who have gained a creditable name in business circles is numbered N. H. Lewis, who was born in Council Bluffs on the 5th of June, 1860. His parents were J. B. and Amanda J. Lewis, natives of Kentucky and of Illinois respectively. The father was a harness maker by trade and came to Council Bluffs in 1853, only about five years after the admission of the state into the Union. The city was then a frontier town, in which he established a harness business, continuing his operations in that line up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1904. His widow still survives and now makes her home with her son, who is her only living child.

In early boyhood N. H. Lewis was sent to the public schools, where he acquired a good English education, as he passed from one grade to another. In early life he learned the trade of harness and saddle making with his father and they continued in business together until the father retired at the Bluffs. Mr. Lewis of this review then established a business of his own at Marne, Iowa, where he continued for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Walnut in 1887, established a harness store and has since carried on the business at this place. He has been very successful in his mercantile operations and his enterprise and diligence well entitle him to the measure of prosperity which he is now enjoying.

In 1885 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Gill, who was born in Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, in 1860, a daughter of Mason C. and Mary Gill, whose family numbered eight children. Both parents are still living, the father having reached the venerable age of ninety years, while the mother has attained the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born three children: Frances E., a graduate of Drake University and now engaged in teaching school; and Vera and Fred W., both at home.

Mr. Lewis exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is recognized as one of its local leaders. He is now a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is also serving as one of the aldermen of the town of Walnut and exercises his official prerogatives in support of all that promises to prove of benefit to the community. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge. No. 327, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His mother was one of the pioneer members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Council Bluffs and now has her membership in the church at Walnut. The family is an old and prominent one in the county, the name of Lewis having figured in connection with the harness trade for more than a half century, and at all times the name has stood as a synonym for commercial integrity and progress.

As printed in History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907 (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.