James C. Lewis
Grant County is a wide-awake and progressive agricultural community, and the modern ideas and facilities have been introduced by many of the most successful farmers in this vicinity. One of these is James C. Lewis, proprietor of the Electric View Farm, in section nineteen in Franklin Township, seven miles southwest of the county seat of Marion. This is a rural home betokening the thrift and independent enterprise of its owner. The farm is well situated as to market, and the King and Martin gravel road runs past the place affording easy access to town and market.
James C. Lewis was born in Rogersville, Hancock County, Illinois, February 25, 1855, a son of Dr. James C. and Elizabeth (Sena) Lewis. After the death of the father, the mother was married a second time, becoming the wife of George McKinstry, and they live near Mattoon, Illinois. That was the home of James C. Lewis, until he was sixteen years of age. He had only limited advantages in school and in home training when a boy, and paid out of his own wages most of the tuition above the lowest grade of school. He attended the Valparaiso school of Indiana for two years, and thus was engaged to compete with young men on practically even terms. He began farming as a worker at monthly wages, after rented a farm and was steadily prosperous almost from the beginning. Later he purchased a part of the farm where he now lives, and his subsequent accumulations and thrift have enabled him to add to this until he is now owner of eighty acres of fertile and well improved and a very valuable estate.
On October 18, 1887, Mr. Lewis married Emma C. Parks. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 31, 1865, was reared on a farm in Preble County, and educated in district schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lewis located on the farm where they now live, and by combined thrift and energy have produced the things which are so much in evidence there at this time. Much clearing and ditching and fencing and other improvements have been added to the place, and in 1908 was erected the present modern residence, a house with a large number of rooms, furnished with hot and cold water, and with many of the other modern conveniences.
Politically Mr. Lewis is a Democrat, but haws not taken much part in politics. On his farm he keeps high grade stock, and puts into practice the modern theories of mixed farming. Both he and his wife have been very active in township institute work, and in all other local movements for the improvement of country life in Franklin Township. Mr. Lewis is a stockholder in the Sweetser Telephone Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of three children, namely: Owen E., born in Grant County, Indiana, September 8, 1888, is a graduate of the common schools and formerly a student in the Marion Normal School, and is a farmer in Franklin Township. He married Mamie Hoke, born December 13, 1887, and has one daughter, Frances G. Lewis, born December 14, 1910; Virgil S., born in Grant County, Indiana, May 18, 1893, is a graduate of the common schools and of the Marion High school; Imogene E., born in Grant county, January 30, 1899, is a pupil in the eighth grade at the Swayzee School.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner