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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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William Robert Lewis.

William Robert Lewis, a young and successful farmer residing on section 31, Prussia township, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Jackson township on the old Lewis homestead, December 6, 1882.  He is a son of Truman L. and Julia D. (Taylor) Lewis, natives respectively of the state of New York and of Wisconsin.  The father is of French and English descent and the mother comes of Scotch ancestry.  They were married in Jackson township, this county, and there resided until 1899, when the father retired from agricultural pursuits and they removed to Fontanelle, where they are still living.

William R. Lewis attended the common schools in Jackson township and the high school in Fontanelle and during his boyhood and youth also helped to farm the home place.  Following his marriage in 1905 he rented the Nick Ritter farm in Prussia township for one year, and then for two years operated the Brown estate farm in Eureka township.  In 1909 he purchased eighty acres on section 31, Prussia township, and removed to the Halsey homestead, which adjoins his land.  He still lives upon that place and operates both farms and an additional one hundred and forty acres, making three hundred acres in all.  He carries on general farming and also gives considerable attention to the raising of high grade shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs for the market.

Mr. Lewis was married on the 20th of December, 1905, at the Halsey homestead by Rev. W. H. Doyle, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fontanelle, to Miss Gladys P. Halsey, a daughter of Albert and Frances (Pope) Halsey.  Her father, who was born in Ohio, removed to Adair county in 1870 and purchased the farm in Prussia township upon which our subject now resides.  Mr. Halsey continued to operate that place until 1909, when he retired and removed to Fontanelle, where he and his wife are still living.  She is a native of Illinois.  Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children:  Florence, born February 8, 1907, who is a pupil in the District No. 3 school of Summerset township;  and Albert, who was born July 24, 1911.

Mr. Lewis is a republican and takes the interest of a good citizen in the affairs of local government.  He is an Odd Fellow, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekah lodge at Fontanelle.  Both are also identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at that place.  He is an energetic and progressive young farmer and the gratifying measure of success which he has gained in his chosen occupation is due entirely to his ability and industry.

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