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Biographical sketch of CHARLES LEWIS from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Indiana.
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CHARLES LEWIS
It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individuals, who, beginning the great struggle alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environments, and removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master stroke of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Clyde township to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the biographer now invites attention.
Charles Lewis, born in Oxford county, Canada, October 28, 1840, is the son of Edwin and Barbara (Utley) Lewis, the father born in Bristol, England, and the mother in Toronto, Canada. The subject’s father left his native country when a lad and in company with his father, Daniel Lewis, came to Oxford county, Canada, where the latter secured land and where they made their home for many years. The subject’s grandfather dealt in land and lumber during his life time and was assisted by his son. He died in Oxford county many years ago. The subject’s father grew to manhood in Canada, was married there, and there he remained during his life. He was a member of the council for many years and was prominently connected with local affairs. He was a member of the United Brethren church, in the work of which institution he was very active, being a liberal supporter of the church and a promoter of its interests. He and wife were very popular among their neighbors and at their deaths were much mourned. The (sic) were the parents of the following children: Orilla, deceased; Charles, the subject; Lucinda, living in British Columbia; Edwin, a resident of Sanilac county, Michigan; Henry, a farmer in Clyde township; Ann, living in Sanilac county; Eliza, whose home is in Grant township; Florence; John, deceased; Dorcas, of Brantford county, Ontario, and James, in California.
Charles Lewis received but a limited education and with this as a foundation he started out in the world. He was but nineteen years old when he left home and went to California, where he located in the Sacramento Valley, the journey being made by boat and the voyage consuming thirty days. Five years were spent in the west, during which time he was engaged in farming and in pressing hay. The subject had been in California but one year when his brother James followed in his footsteps and also went to the Sacramento valley, where he engaged in farming and also became a dealer in grains. Later he purchased an elevator and was for some time identified with that business. In 1869 Charles Lewis returned to Michigan and settled in Sanilac county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and here he remained tilling his land for five years, at the end of which time he wold his farm. During his residence in Sanilac county the subject also was connected with a saw-mill and had many lumbering interests, all of which he disposed of when he returned to this county. He bought the timber on four hundred acres of land in Gratiot township, St. Clair county, and later, in 1875, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clyde township, where he now lives. The subject has had many interests in this and other counties and especially has he been interested in lumbering and in the saw-mill business. While in Fort Gratiot township he was connected for four years with the lumbering and saw-mill business of that community, and he also at one time was in the business at a point sixty miles north of Saginaw, Michigan, for a period of four years. At twenty-two years of age Mr. Lewis married Miss Sarah Bursee, of Oxford county, Canada, though they were married in California. The subject and wife are the parents of six children: Alvira, the wife of Chester Bean, of Clyde township; Orillla, who is married to John Walker, of Clyde township; Charles; Anna, and Russell, at home. When Mr. Lewis first came into possession of his present farm, which now contains two hundred and thirty acres, it was very rough and the prospects were anything but inviting. Nevertheless he has succeeded in bringing out the good points of the land and it is now one of the finest pieces of farm land in the community. In 1876 he built his present beautiful home and also made other improvements, now having one of the finest homes in St. Clair county. The farm has been cleared with the exception of ten acres and most of it is under cultivation. Mr. Lewis is a raiser of all kinds of grains, hay, horses, hogs and cattle and has some of the finest products of the farm that can be found in the country. He has always been a hard-working man and in his modest way has made many staunch friends. He is not what the world would call a politician, but he has always taken a deep interest in the political affairs of his community and while not aspiring to office or political honors he has assisted many friends to the coveted chair. In the Republican ranks, he is counted one of the most faithful of the party’s adherents. He and family are also members of the Baptist church and are very active in church work. No family in the county is more respected or more fitted for the acceptance of leadership which they enjoy than that of the Lewis family and the esteem of their neighbors and friends is but a fitting tribute to their popularity.
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the LEWIS surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community. Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above. Thank you.
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