Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

Rex Owen Lewis passed away September 8, 2011. He was born on December 15, 1924 on his grandparents' farm just outside Oxford Nebraska, to Leslie and Effie (Deats) Lewis, Rex was the third of four children. After WWII, Rex received his B.A. from the Univ. of Nebraska at Lincoln. He moved to California and received his Masters degrees from USC.
Rex moved to Visalia in 1960 and spent the next three decades teaching in the Business Education department of the College of the Sequoias.
He is survived by his son, Tom (Florence) Lewis of Martinez, CA, daughters Arleen (Will) Halvorson of Alachua, Florida, Deanna (Michael) Mast of Merced, Rebecca (Rick Maykoski) Lewis of Bakersfield, Barbara(Erik Olson) Lewis of Eureka, Carrie Lewis of Visalia, step-daughter Ronalie (Derek Wall) Buenafe of Visalia and numerous grand and great grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service and luncheon on Wed., September 14 at noon in the social hall of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church.

In WWII his rank was EM3c, or Electrician's Mate 3rd class. He was a teletype operator on Saipan.

Rex married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Rex has his father Leslie's gold pocket watch. It was a wedding gift from Grandma Carrie. She probably bought it used. The marriage was in 1917.

It winds both by the stem and by a key. The old watches used a key and the stem winders had just come out. Evidently the maker didn't trust the stem to be reliable, so they used both methods.

Leslie was in and out of the home or Effie would throw him out. One time Leslie decided that he wanted his watch, but he couldn't find it. He normally kept it in the foyer in a drawer. Rex had taken it because he was afraid that his father would sell the watch and Rex wanted it handed down in the family. Rex didn't tell his Dad that he knew where the watch was ? sin of omission.

From:
The Oxford Standard
November 19, 1925

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lewis delightfully entertained last evening at radio and bridge. Mr. and Mrs. G.J. Hancock and the Richmonds being their guests. Mrs. Lewis served a most appetizing midnight lunch.

Leslie married Effie Lillian DEATS on 21 Jan 1917 in Oxford, NE, and was divorced in 1941. Effie (daughter of Henry Clay DEATS and Sarah Lillian (Lillie) YOUNGER) was born on 8 Dec 1899 in Deatsville, KY; died on 3 May 1978 in Martinez, CA; was buried in Parkview Memorial, Detroit, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From - WHO's WHO IN NEBRASKA, 1940 : Published by the Nebraska Press Association, Lincoln, NE

WOLFE, ASA A: County Superintendent of Schools; b Wellfleet, Neb Aug 11, 1889; s of Silas C Wolfe-Sarah C Puckett; ed Indianola HS; Doane Coll; PSTC; U of Ia, 23-24; U of Besancon France; BDI, BA, MA: Phi Delta Kappa; m Alice Mae Thomas
Aug 28, 1917 Indianola; s John Allen, Charles Robert; d Mildred Louise, Marjorie Kate, Ina Mae; 1912 tchr, Keith Co; 1913 supt of Cowles schs; 1916-17, 1919-23 supt Riverton Ia schs; 1924-27 supt Greene Iowa schs; 1927-82 supt Kanawha Ia schs;
1932-34 farmed new Indianola; May 22, 1934 apptd supt Redwillow Co schs; Nov 1934- Redwillow Co supt by election; 1917 during World War in Co C 355th in batt sgt major, disch 1919; C of C; Kiwanis; NSTA; Neb St Co Supts Assn; AF&AM; Congl Ch;
Dem; off Courthouse; res 411 East 2nd, McCook.

Uncle John Wolfe remembers, " The nighe that brother Charlie died three times. His heart would speed up to a tremendous rate the heart and breathing stop. He had measles and whooping cough at the same time. He was one year old. Dad would just
not let him go. He put him in hot water, pummeled and spanked him and the heart would start again. The doctor would not come to see him, saying Dad was doing everything possible. He would not let Mother in the room. I kept the water hot. After
the third ressurection he told me to go to bed, that the crisis was past.

Asa married Alice Mae THOMAS on 30 Aug 1917 in Rev. Charles Gearheart, Congregational parsonage. Alice (daughter of Robert Hanson THOMAS and Kate DUNNING) was born on 6 Dec 1890 in Indianola, NE; died on 9 May 1975 in Billings, MT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A newspaper clipping about their 50th wedding anniversery reads:



OBSERVE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lewis had the honor to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Sunday, August 29th. Open house was held in the evening at which time relatives and friends gathered to extend congratulations. Ice cream and cake were served.
A beautifully decorated cake was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis by Mr. and Mrs. Argyll Lewis.

They received several nice gifts and a number of cards.

The event was planned by their neices and nephews and was much appreciated by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. Relatives present were: their son Leslie Lewis of Omaha, grandson Roger Lewis and nephew and wife Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Wintermute and daughters,
all of McCook, Mr. and Mrs. Argyll Lewis of Stamford, Mr. and Mrs. Walt Wanner, and Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Lewis.









From the OXFORD STANDARD Thursday, September 3, 1953



Lewises Observed Sixtieth Aniversary



Observed Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Lewis was their 60th Wedding Anniversary. To help them celebrate the occasion were 58 guests who registered during the afternoon.

A picnic dinner was given at noon for the immediate family on the Argyl Lewis lawn. The Lewises held open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at which time many wellwishers dropped in to visit.

Cake presented to the couple was baked by Mrs. Walter Wanner and decorations were from Mrs. Argyll Lewis. It was a three tiered affair of white decorated with red roses. Atop the cake were wedding bells with doves and the figures sixty in
silver.

In addition they received a lovely boquet of flowers from their son Leslie Lewis, who was unable to attend. He lives in Pomona, Calif. The boquet consisted of pink glads, yellow pompoms and orange-yellow chrysanthemums.

Moving pictures were presented by their grandson Rex O. Lewis and wife and baby, Tommy

of Redlands, Calif. Scenes were of the family and baby. Many lovely gifts and cards of rememberance were received.

Special guests wer Mr. and Mrs. Asa A. Wolfe of McCook, parents of Mrs. Rex O. Lewis. The Wolfes were celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary that day.

Relatives from out of town were Mr. and Mrs H.C. Lewis of Vergas Minn., Mrs. Mabel Harry of Arcola, Ill., Mrs Myrtle Wintermute , Friend, Nebr.

Looking back over the 60 years, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Lewis remember that on August 29, 1893, they were married at the courthouse at Wilbur, Nebr. Mrs. Lewis was then Miss Carrie Wintermute.

Just a few months following their wedding in January, 1894, they moved to Furnas county where they settled on a farm ten miles northwest of Oxford. Their home has been here ever since.

When they first came to this county they lived in a sod house. This was their home until 1906 when they built a frame home. Leonard Hays now lives on the farm where they started their farming life.

In 1918, Mr. Lewis , who is now 89, decided to leave the farm and moved to Oxford. After 12 years sojurn in town, they returned to the farm where they lived another 12 years, returning in 1940.

While living in town they made their home where they do today, just a block west of the school house. Mrs. Lewis is 79 years of age.

To the Lewis family, three children were born. A son Leslie, lives in California, and two baby daughters died in infancy.

Taking a backward look, the couple have found the years filled with happiness, joys, sorrows, but all in all they were grand years of wedded bliss.







From a paper with OXFORD, FURNAS COUNTY above the obituary:



LAST RITES HELD FOR THOMAS J. LEWIS



Funeral services were held at the Methodist church, Friday, August 20, for Thomas J Lewis, who passed away Monday, Aug. 16, 1954. Rev. Willis Taplin officiated.

Music was furnished by Dale Eickman, vocalist, and Mrs. Edna Lueking, organist.

Pallbearers were Argyll Lewis, Edmund Lewis, Ralph Lewis, Walter Wanner, Merlin Wintermute and Roger Wintermute.

Burial was in the Oxford Cemetary with Lyons-Quig Funeral Home in charge.

Thomas Jefferson Lewis was the youngert of six children born to Daniel Lewis and Sarah Lewis at Charlottville, Indiana, Dec. 28, 1863, and passed away at Oxford, Nebraska on August 16, 1954 at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 18 days.

In 1885 at the age of 21 he moved from Charlottville, Indiana to Fairburry, Nebraska. He lived near Fairbury and Western, Nebraska for a number of years.

August 29, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Wintermute, and to this union three children were born. Two infant daughters preceded him in death.

Shoytly before his marriage he and his bride moved from Western, Nebraska , to a farm in gosper county. In January 1894, they moved to a farm northwest of Oxford. They made their home here until 1917 when they moved off the farm and came into
Oxford. In 1929they again moved back to the farm and lived there until 1940. In 1940 they again moved into Oxford and have made their home here until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carrie Lewis of Oxford; one son, Leslie Lewis of San Bernardino, California; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren other relatives and a host of friends.

Out-of-town relatives attending the services were Mrs. E.G. Wintermute of Long Beach, Calif.; Mrs. E.A. Wintermute of Friend, Nebr.; Mr and Mrs. M.E. Wintermute and Roger Wintermute of Hastings, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs P.C. O'Brien of Hastings,
Nebr. ; Mr. A.L. Stone and two daughters of Denver Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Wolfe of McCook, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Kaup, and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Walden of Huntley, Nebr.; Mrs. M. Poppert and Mrs. Orvylle Poppert of Stamford, Nebr.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all our relatives , neighbors and friends for all their kind and thoughtful acts during the sickness and our recent bereavement. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Mrs. Carrie Lewis

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lewis




Buried:
According to the Highland Cemetery records, Carrie's headstone reads, "Carrie W. Lewis b,7 Dec 1873 d. 20 Nov 1967.

This makes more sense because I have snapshot photos of me (Rebecca Yvonne Lewis) with my family and Grandma Carrie. I also remember visiting her in the nursing home when she was blind and suffering from some sort of dementia. she couldn't remember her child, grandpa Leslie, or her grandchildren. My dad was quite adament about trying to help her remember him.

Thomas married Carrie WINTERMUTE on 29 Aug 1894 in near Fairbury and Western, NE. Carrie (daughter of Alexander WINTERMUTE and Adeline PURCELL) was born on 7 Dec 1873 in Friend, NE; died on 20 Nov 1967 in Oakland, CA; was buried on 25 Nov 1967 in Oxford, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary from the OXFORD STANDARD Thur.,Nov. 30, 1967



MRS. CARRIE LEWIS

Carrie Wintermute, daughter of Alexander and Adeline Wintermute, was born at Friend Nebrraska, Dec. 7, 1873, and passed away Nov. 20, 1967at Oakland, California at the age of 93 years.

On August 29, 1893 she was united in marriage to Thomas Jefferson Lewis and to this union three children were born, two daughters passing away in infancy. Shortly after her marriage they moved from Western, Nebraska to a farm in Gosper
County. In 1894 they moved to a farm northeast of Oxford where they made their home until 1917 when they moved into Oxford. In 1920 they moved back to the farm and lived there until 1940 when they again moved into Oxford which was their home
until his death in August 1954.

She was a member of the Oxford Methodist Church and had maintained contact and interest in her advanced years and residence in California.

She was poeceded in death by one sister, Cora Hinesman, brothers, Fred in infancy, and Earl, Ed, Arch, Guy and Russell.

She is survived by one son, Leslie of Oakland, California, three grandsons, one granddaughter, several neices and nephews of the Oxford and Holdrege communities, other relatives and many friends. (note from Rebecca Lewis: also 5 great grandsons and 6 great grand daughters and 3 great great granddaughters.)

Memorial Services were conducted at Mitchel Funeral Home, Oxford, November 25,1967 with Rev. Walter Bailey officiating. Music was furnished by Mrs. Marilyn Benjamin with Mrs. Elizabeth York at the organ. Bearers were Leonard Hays, Glenn Hays,
Jim Hays, Carl Emen, Chas. A. Lewis and Richard Loper. Internment was in the Oxford Cemetary with Mitchel Funeral Home directing arrangements.

CARD OF THANKS

We want to express our sincere appreciation for all sympathy and kindness extended to us by old neighbors and friends in our bereavement.

The family of

Carrie Lewis

Notes:

Carrie and Tommy's daughter who died in infancy was listed in the Wintermute Family History as "Ilah Vere". However, accpording to the Highland Cemetery records, the grave in Highland Cemetery near Alexander, Hannah, and Ralph Waldo Lewis gives her name as "Olive A. lewis Infant dau of T.J. ANd Carrie"

Henry married Sarah Lillian (Lillie) YOUNGER on 14 Jan 1897 in Deatsville, KY, and was divorced about 1902. Sarah (daughter of Richard YOUNGER and Nancy Ann STRAUGHAN) was born on 2 Feb 1876; died on 13 Apr 1951; was buried in Stamford, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She left Henry Clay Deats when Effie was quite young. According to Dad (Rex Lewis) she said he was abusive, Uncle Jack remembers being told that Henry Clay was an alcoholic.

After the girls were grown she was a traveling saleswoman, selling silk scarves. E.A. Schafer was also a traveling salesman,they met since they had the same territory. They bought a car together and traveled together after that. After Henry
Clay died, Lillian and E. A. married, but it seems that Lillian still used the name Mrs Deats. Except with her grandchildren, to them she insisted on being called Mama Deats since she, like her daughter Effie didn't want to be called
"grandma".

According to Mom (Ina Wolfe Lewis), Mama Deats was so predjuced that she wouldn't even walk past a black person's house. She would go out of her way to walk down another street.

When Lillian died, E.A. Schafer had her buried in the plot with her parents.

This cemetery is one mile north of Hwy 89 in Stamford, Nebraska in Harlan County. Just turn north on Main Street in Stamford. There are no signs for at the cemetery.

Silas married Sarah Catherine PUCKETT on 28 Jan 1886. Sarah (daughter of Allen N. PUCKETT and Rebecca COURTNEY) was born on 27 Jul 1864; died on 04 Mar 1890; was buried in 1890 in Indianola Cemetery, Indianola, Red Willow, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

There is a grave marker in the Indianola Cemetery that says "Silas C WOlfe 1852 - 1905 Sarah C. His Wife 1864 - 1890

It looks like polished granite wih a flower engraved on the left. There is an emblem of some sort above the names, but I can't see what is is from the photo.

Notes:

reference, TRAILS WEST TO RED WILLOW COUNTY NEBRASKA by Robert T. Ray and Lois Rutledge

In 1878, Robert Thomas, Verdon Glandon, Ed Leash and Charlie Hoag, made a pleasure trip from Illiinois and liking the country, they all took land. He was a contractor and builder, being one of the first in Indianola. He helped to put up many
of the first buildings such as school houses, churches, businesses, and homes. He was a charter member of the Congregational Church in Indianola, a member of the Old Settlers' Association, the Modern Woodman, the Eastern Star and the Masonic
Lodges. He died at his home just west of town, after being in poor health for over two years.



Uncle John Wolfe, " G-grandfather Puckett told Dad (Asa Wolfe), ""I don't know why you want to marry that Thomas girl. All your sons will be bald headed."" True, to the third generation."



Ina Mae Wolfe remembers that when grandpa Bob Thomas was old, he began to think that people were trying to steal his carpenters tools. To save them he began burying them, and then he would forget and think that they were stolen. When the family
went to visit, Asa took Ina around the yard looking for signs of places that had recently dug up in the yard. Then they would recover the buried tools.



From a newspaper article dated "THURSDAY JULY 16, 1931" VOL. XXXIX



R.H. Thomas Succumbs

Pioneer Builder Answers Call



Robert H. Thomas, pioneer builder and farmer of Indianola and Red Willow County, died Monday afternoon at his home just west of town. On Sunday he had eaten a hearty dinner and was taken sick some time during the night. Monday morning
Mr. and Mrs Wolfe called the doctor for him but he was unable to do more than relieve Mr. Thomas temporarily.

Mr. Thomas had been in poor health for the past two years and his death was not unexpected, although it is, nevertheless, quite a shock to his family. He was seriously ill shortlu before the death of Mrs. Thomas two months ago, but
appeared to gain strength again. His mind has been clouded the last few months and never seemed to realize that Mrs. Thomas was gone.

Mr. Thomas was one of four young men who came to this country together in the late seventies and homesteaded. From this experience came a friendship that has endured as long as they lived. V.J. Glandon is the only remaining member of
the quartet. C.B. Hoag, another member, died three years ago.

Mr. Thomas built many houses in and around Indianola and McCook, among which is the old Indianola high school building which, after 45 years of service, is still in use and is in fairy good shape. He was generous to a fault, a good
neighborand a loving husband and father. He leaves a son and two daughters; Robert Jr., of Puyallup, Wash., Mrs. A.A. Wolfe of Kanawha Iowa, and Mrs. E.H. Korb of Indianola.

The community has suffered a severe loss and we extend our sincere sympany to his family.

Robert married Kate DUNNING on 15 Mar 1883. Kate (daughter of Cyrus DUNNING and Lucy Ursula WHEELER) was born on 21 Jun 1857 in near Mound City, MO; died on 16 May 1931 in Indianola, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Uncle John Wolfe, there were 10 or 12 Thomas graves of children in the cemetery at Indianola, Nebraska. He also says, Grandmother praticed abortion. When dying she asked Mother, "Do you think I will go to heaven? " This would be confirmed by the 1900 census where Kate said that she had 11 births, three living.

Ina Mae Wolfe remembers that when she was very young and the family went to Indianola for Grandma Kate Dunning Thomas's funeral, Ina broke out in a terrible rash. Grandpa Bob Thomas took her around the yard asking finding out exactly what
plants she had touched while she was out in the yard. It turned out that she had been bitten by bedbugs instead. Because of the rash, Ina was sent over to stay with Mary, the former foster child of Bob and Kate Thomas and so missed the
funeral.



"My first view of Indianola was the 25th of April '78 (1878). It was a very nice looking clean, little place-- a store, drug store, court house, a small little school house, a hotel, and a small dwelling house or two. A buffalo cow laarriated
out east of the town some little ways was a novel one to us at least.

While the size of the town was not so ________ as we had grown up in Nebraska and had seen the small places grow along with us and sure Indianola had grown. New settlers coming in the fall and the coming of the railroad made things go fast but
we must remember the school, church and Sunday school was already well laid out and the people and children as well was glad to have those things that they were well attended by those in or living near here, I sometimes think better then than
now. The added thought is to think of so many of the glad hands extended to the new comers here who have gone to the last home. While gone they are not forgotten. Now looking at the churches and nice homes and trees you have to stop and think,
has all this been done since you first saw Indianola." Kate Dunning Thomas