Richard Evans Lewis (1829 - 1894)

Born 24 Feb 1829 in Hirwaun, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Husband of Nancy Jane (Gunther) Lewis — married 5 Jan 1858 in Healdsburg, Sonoma, California, United States

Descendants

Died 30 Jun 1894 at age 65 in Healdsburg, Sonoma, California, United States

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Biography

Richard Lewis was born in Glamorgan, Wales.

Richard was born in 1829 in Jirwaun, Glamorgan, Wales, the son of Richard R. Lewis and Rachel Evans. He was christened on 13 April 1829 at Salem and Ebenezer and Nebo Independent (Nonconformist/Congregationalist), Aberdare, Glamorgan, WALES.^[1]

In 1840 at the age of 11, he immigrated to St. Clair, Illinois. In 1848 R. E. Lewis took a trip to New Mexico as a teamster, and from there returned to St. Clair County.^[2] In March of 1850 Richard E. started with a St. Louis party for California. The train was made up between Independence, Missouri, and Westport, at which point they crossed the Missouri River. While on the Platte the train became afflicted with cholera, and as a consequence, they split up in little parties. Mr. Lewis came via Salt Lake, at which point he and two friends traded their oxen for horses, and packed across to California, following the Carson route, the men walking the most of the way. Before they had completed their journey their horses had all either given out or had been stolen, so that when they arrived at Sacramento, on the 20th of October, they had little to encumber them in the way of personal effects. Mr. Lewis went to the mines at Nevada City, south of Yuba. He followed mining, however, only until February following at which time he located on the Catata ranch four miles below Santa Rosa. In 1856 he sold out and took charge of the flouring mill of Felty Miller, on Mill Creek, which he operated for six years. He then bought a ranch on Dry Creek, and after making many improvements, sold out in January, 1868, and located where he now resides on the Guerneville road, four miles from Healdsburg.^[2]

The Household Census of 1870 lists Richd E Lewis Male 41 England Nancy J Lewis Female 31 Missouri Rachel S Lewis Female 11 California Rebecca Lewis Female 7 California S Adaline Lewis Female 5 California Cassa S Lewis Female 4 California M Agusta Lewis Female 3 California Mary E Poe Female 15 Missouri Thomas Withers Male 30 Illinois ^[3]

"He is one of the old settlers of Sonoma County, and has been an eye-witness to most of the changes which have transformed it from a wilderness to its present condition." In 1860 he also located and obtained a State patent of 200 acres of timber land on Russian River where Guerneville now stands. In 1872 he discovered and located a quicksilver mine, called the Great Eastern Mine.^[2]

He passed away in 1894.

Research Notes

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  Sources

  1. ↑ "Wales Births and Baptisms, 1541-1907," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X11X-Q2G : 11 February 2018), Richard Lewis, 24 Feb 1829; citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 0815982 (RG4 3553), 0815982 (RG4 3770).
  2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} An Illustrated History of Sonoma County, California. The Lewis Publishing Company 1889 pages 380-381.
  3. ↑ 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
     citing Page: 20; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 36; Digital film/folder number: 004259437; FHL microfilm: 000545590; Image number: 161; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01413-9
     FamilySearch Record: MNX3-ZJJ (accessed 20 December 2023)
     FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6783-F4V
     Richd E Lewis (41) head of household in Healdsburg Judicial Township, Sonoma, California, United States. Born in England.