Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Allen W. Lewis
A year before the celebrated battle of Tippecanoe, and two years or so prior to the outbreak of the second war between the people of this country and England, a little party might have been seen crossing the Ohio river, on their way to found a new home on the western frontier. The date of this event in their long and extremely difficult journey was remembered, as it was the first anniversary of the birth of the youngest member of the travelers, Allen W. Lewis, who had been born in Randolph county. North Carolina, June 14, 1800. The summer of 1810 was spent by his family in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the autumn of that year they proceeded to Wayne county, Indiana, and became the first settlers of what is now known as Green township. The Lewis family is of Welsh-English extraction, and as the old traditions have it, was founded in the United States during the colonial days by several brothers, one of whom settled in North Carolina, and from him the subject of this narrative descended. He was the youngest of twelve children born to John and Sarah (Roukman) Lewis. One of the elder sons, Richard, who was married and had several children, accompanied the parents when they came to this township, the two families locating near each other. An unbroken forest covered this section, and Indians and wild beasts were numerous. During the fearful wars waged between the red men and the white settlers about the time of the war of 1812, when Tecumseh and his brother, called the Prophet, tried in vain to turn the tide of the Anglo-Saxon civilization which threatened their rights, the Lewis family seemed peculiarly exempt from molestation. They had always treated the Indians kindly and received similar treatment in return. Indeed, some of the red men who lived in the neighborhood of John Lewis went to him and requested him to wear a broad-brimmed hat, which, they said, would insure him protection from their race, and it is needless to say that he lost no time in agreeing to do as they advised.
The land upon which he located, and where he ultimately developed an excellent farm, is still in possession of his descendants, as is the original deed thereto, as issued by the government and signed by President James Madison, under date of May 27, 1816. The land is thus described: "The northeast quarter of section 7, township 17, range 14 east of the second principal meridian." Another government deed to land owned by John Lewis is thus described: "The southwest quarter of section 8, township 17, range 14 east of the second principal meridian." This deed is dated February 21, 1817, and bears the signature of Madison, who was still president at that time. After he had accomplished more than the ordinary man, twice told, John Lewis was summoned to his reward, at the old homestead which had been his abiding place for many long years. His death occurred on the 4th of May, 1848, and that of his wife had taken place but a few months before, September 20, 1847.
The old homestead which he had ably assisted in clearing and improving was inherited by Allen W. Lewis, who remembered no other home. He tenderly cared for his parents during their declining years, performing his entire duty toward them, as he always did to every one who, in any wise, looked to him for help or protection. He was domestic in his tastes, and he had no greater pleasure than to make his home beautiful or to improve his property in some manner. Generous and hospitable to a fault, he loved to entertain friends and neighbors, and the poor and needy found him kind and sympathetic. In all of his business dealings, his course in life was remarkably upright and just, and no one had reason to complain of him in this respect. Blessed with a liberal vein of humor, he looked upon the bright and happy side of things, and brought cheer wherever he went. Loved and sincerely mourned by the entire community, he entered the silent land February 13, 1895.
The marriage of Allen W. Lewis and Miss Lucy T. Hollingsworth was solemnized May 23, 1839. She was born in Union district, South Carolina, January 31, 1817, a daughter of Aquilla and Tamer (Kenworthy) Hollingsworth. The father died when she was about eleven years old, and in 1829 she came to Wayne county with her mother. Two sons and six daughters were born to Allen W. Lewis and his estimable wife: John died in infancy and Frances H. when about five years of age; Nancy married Larkin T. Bond; Naomi is the wife of Benjamin Beverlin; Rebecca is Mrs. John Milton Harris; Sarah is the next in order of birth; William A. married Ella C. Edwards; and Luzena Medora is the wife of William H. Jones. The aged mother is passing her declining days on the old homestead, which was bequeathed to herself and daughter Sarah by Mr. Lewis, and everything that affection can suggest is done for her by her children, and especially by Miss Sarah, who is devoting herself, with filial tenderness, to the duty, which she esteems a pleasure, of caring for her beloved companion.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899