St. Clair County Obits

HENRY CLAY LEWIS

St. Clair County Courier
5 December 1940
The death of Henry Clay Lewis, member of a pioneer family, occurred at 10 o'clock at his home near Gerster, Nov. 15th. He was 88 years, 6 months and 12 days of age, and although ill most of this fall, the indomitable spirit he displayed through his last days was remarkable.
Henry Clay Lewis was born in Putnam County, Indiana, May 3, 1852, being the last of a family of eleven children. In 1872 he came to St. Clair County with his parents, Mrs. Cizar and Mr. Samuel Lewis, in a covered wagon and settled on a farm two miles southwest of Collins.
He came to the vicinity of Gerster later and spent the remainder of his life. He was married to Eliza Jane Potter west of Collins in 1879. She preceded him in death several years ago. To this union were born five children, Mrs. Alpha Butcher of Gerster, Frank Lewis of the home, Fred Lewis of Hutchinson, Kansas, Mrs. Nellie Harden of Clinton and Dolphin Lewis of Gerster. He is survived by a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren, also a host of friends and neighbors who regret his death.
Funeral services were held at the Gerster Church Nov. 17th at 2 o'clock by Rev. Frank Harden. Burial was made near Collins by the side of his wife in the Allen Cemetery.