Dr. James Lewis
Aug. 23, 1795-Sept. 3, 1887
Niles Republican, Thursday, September 8, 1887, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Dr. James Lewis
Died, at his residence in this city, September 3, 1887, in his 93d year, Dr. James Lewis.
Dr. Lewis was born at Pawlett[sic], Rutland county, Vermont, August 23, 1795, and was 92 years and eleven days old at the time of his death. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, having been enrolled for military duty when but 18 years of age, at Salem, Washington county, New York, to which point his parents moved when he was five years old. He studied medicine at Henrietta, New York, and practiced there a short time. He came to Niles in June, 1835. The night after he came here was not so remarkable for his coming as it was for the fact that all the corn in this section of the country was killed by frost. The same year the Doctor purchased the business lot, corner of Main and Second streets, of Hiram Chilson, paying $800 for it. On this lot, a year later, he built the brick Arcade block that still stands there, and after a time, on the Second street front, he built his brick residence. The Doctor returned to Henrietta twice after coming to Niles, living there a few years each time. He never practiced medicine here, but kept a drug and prescription store. In his early youth the Doctor was a member of the family of the father of the late Judge N. Bacon.
For a number of years past Dr. Lewis has been in very feeble health, and during a few months past has not been out of his house. In his declining years he has been tenderly cared for by Mrs. Mary L. Tibbetts, who was reared in his family, and who has been to him as dutiful as a daughter.
Dr. Lewis has all his life been a professing Christian and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His funeral took place from that church on Monday, Rev. R.K. Wharton officiating.
The Doctor's will was probated on Tuesday. He leaves sums of money to Mrs. Tibbetts and to his nephew, James Lewis, of Batavia, New York. He also leaves to the American Bible Society $1,000, to a Theological Seminary in Chicago, $1,000, to which institution he had already given $2,000; to the City Council, in trust, $50, the interest on which is to be paid for keeping his lot in the cemetery in good condition. The residue of his property goes to the American Missionary Society of New York. Judge B. F. Fish is named as his executor.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, September 10, 1887, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Dr. James Lewis, one of the oldest residents of the city, died this morning morning[sic] at 5:15. He was born in Rowlett, Rutland county, Vermont August 23, 1795. He removed with his parents to Salem, Washington county, N.Y., while still young. He enlisted and saw considerable service in the war of 1812. He studied medicine at Henrietta, N.Y.,,[sic] and removed to this city in 1835, soon after which he acquired the property at the corner of Main and Second streets, which he still owned at his death. He returned east twice, staying one year at one time and five at another. He was married three times but leaves no family. He was ever a good citizen but is little known to the newer settlers here, though in his prime an active and energetic business man. For several years past he has hardly been outside his own door-yard, and for a number of weeks confined to his house. The last few years have been particularly productive of fatalities among the old settlers, and soon the last of those familiar with our earliest history will have passed away.