yesterday's tennessee

WILLIAM L. LEWIS FAMILY

(Jeanette Community, Decatur County)

FIRST GENERATION

1. William L.[1] Lewis. Born, 22 May 1810, in VA. Died, 20 Feb 1873, in Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Lewis Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Merchant.

William L. Lewis settled in Perry Co. (soon to be Decatur Co.) in 1845. He was a merchant in Brodie's Landing.

He married Mary W. Thomas, daughter of Jess Thomas and Mary (Polly) Robertson, 23 Oct 1834, in Rockingham Co., NC. Born, 14 Feb 1815, in NC. Died, 20 Oct 1896, in Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Lewis Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Robert A.[2] Lewis. Born, 12 Aug 1835, in TN. Died, 27 Mar 1864. Burial in Lewis Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN.
• 2 ii. William Henry Lewis.
• 3 iii. Eliza J. Lewis.
• iv. Martha S. Lewis. Born, 22 May 1847, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, circa 1920. Burial in Wilkins Cem., Decatur Co., TN (unmarked). Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. She married Elihu Nunley. License, 6 Jul 1870, in Decatur Co., TN.
• v. Polly Ann Lewis. Born, 15 Aug 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 2 Jan 1874. Burial in Lewis Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
• vi. Jess W. Lewis. Born, 29 Sep 1861, in Decatur Co., TN.

SECOND GENERATION

2. William Henry[2] Lewis (William L., 1). Born, 18 Feb 1837, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 28 May 1911, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Teacher.

William Henry Lewis went to southern Illinois at the outbreak of the Civil War to avoid service in the Confederate Army. Neither did he join the Union Army. He taught school in Williamson Co., IL, and met his future wife, Harriet Ann Mitchell, whild boarding at her family's home. He returned to Tennessee shortly after the end of the war and his marriage.

He married Harriet Ann (Hattie) Mitchell, daughter of Mardonius Patterson Mitchell and Caroline W. McCreery, circa 1865. Born, 24 Sep 1847, in Williamson Co., IL. Died, 8 Dec 1920, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• 4 i. Charles Edward[3] Lewis.
• 5 ii. Mary Caroline (Carrie) Lewis.
• 6 iii. William Patterson Lewis.
• 7 iv. Thomas McCreery Lewis.
• v. Harvey Green Lewis. Born, 7 Sep 1874, in Jeanette, Decatur Co., TN. Died, 4 Oct 1938, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. He married Tessie Eliza Pauline (Tess) Reid, 13 Jul 1913, in Paris, Monroe Co., MO.
• 8 vi. Robert Lawrence Lewis.
• 9 vii. Laura Malvina Lewis.
• 10 viii. Annette Bell (Nettie) Lewis.

3. Eliza J.[2] Lewis (William L., 1). Born, 23 Jul 1841, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 28 May 1915. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN.

She married James Wiley Bowman, son of Simeon Bowman and Elizabeth, 23 Feb 1868. Born, 22 Jan 1836. Died, 16 Aug 1906. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN.

Jmes Wiley Bowman served in Co. A, 7th Tennessee Cavalry, U.S. Army

during the Civil War. Children:

• i. Jonathan/John H.[3] Bowman. Born, 14 Jan 1869. Died, 1 Sep 1917. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. It appears that he never married. In the census of 1910 he is sharing a household with his mother.
• 11 ii. Robert A. Bowman.
• iii. Laura Bowman. Born, circa 1875. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN.
• 12 iv. Alonzo B. Bowman.
• 13 v. Sidney J. Bowman.
• vi. Viola V. Bowman. Born, Mar 1884. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. She married J. M. Maxwell, 18 Jan 1902, in Decatur Co., TN.

 

THIRD GENERATION

4. Charles Edward[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 7 Aug 1868, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, Feb 1913, in New York, NY. Burial in Old City Cem., Jackson, Madison Co., TN.

He married Addie Clay Long. Children:

• Eleanor Clay[4] Lewis. She married Unknown Zundel.

 

5. Mary Caroline (Carrie)[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 31 Oct 1869, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 25 Aug 1902. Burial in Bunches Chapel, Decatur Co., TN.

She married John Thomas (Tom) Crowder, son of James Alsup (Jim) Crowder and Serena Effie Rains, 3 Aug 1887, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 20 Mar 1859, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 26 Oct 1939. Burial in Bunches Chapel, Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• 14 i. Mary Mitchell[4] Crowder.
• ii. James Thomas (Jimmy) Crowder. Born, 8 Nov 1890, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, before 1973. He married Bertha Robbins.
• 15 iii. Hattie Effie Crowder.
• iv. Willie Alma Crowder. Born, 18 Aug 1895, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 19 Sep 1987. Burial in Darden Cem., Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1973, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. She married James Clifford Neely. License, 19 Jun 1915, in Decatur Co., TN.
• v. Donna Inez Crowder. Born, 22 Sep 1895. Died, 21 Mar 1902. Burial in Bunches Chapel, Decatur Co., TN. Donna Crowder died of burns.
• vi. Nell Carrie Crowder. Born, 27 Oct 1899. Died, 28 Aug 1978. Resided: 1974, in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. She married James Weaver Rogers, son of James Tate Rogers and Fredonia Abigail (Donie) Dennison, 1944.
• vii. Elizabeth Geneva (Bess) Crowder. Born, 5 Feb 1902, in Decatur Co., TN. Resided: 1973, in Guntown, Lee Co., MS. Resided: 1994, in Florissant, St. Louis Co., MO. Occupation: Teacher. She married Joe Clark James, 8 Jan 1929, in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.

 

6. William Patterson[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 16 Sep 1871, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 31 Dec 1933. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

He married, first, Laura F. Garrett, daughter of Robert H. Garrett and Hulda J. McClure, 24 Jan 1891, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, circa 1870. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN.

He married, second, L. Fredona Rushing, daughter of James Matt Rushing and Martha C. Rains, 11 Apr 1903, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 8 Jan 1869. Died, 7 Apr 1957, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. W. Curtley[4] Lewis. Born, circa 1904. Resided: 1957, in Jackson, Madison Co., TN. Resided: circa 1993, in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., TN.

 

7. Thomas McCreery[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 11 Jul 1873. Died, 8 May 1928.

He married, first, Edna Mae Still, 17 Sep 1898, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 14 Aug 1875, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 28 Jun 1908. Burial in Still Cem., Bible Hill Rd., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Edna Mary[4] Lewis. Born, 9 May 1903. Died, 5 Jun 1904. Burial in Still Cem., Bible Hill Rd., Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Georgia Lewis. Resided in Cloverport, TN. She married Unknown Peoples.
• iii. Eula Lewis. She married Homer Brousard.

He married, second, Hattie Crosley.

 

8. Robert Lawrence[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 6 Oct 1876, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, circa 1946, in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Prison Guard.

Robert Lawrence Lewis was a federal prison guard in Atlanta.

He married Victoria L. Still, 8 Feb 1898, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 9 Dec 1878. Died, 1964. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Rex W.[4] Lewis. Born, 19 Dec 1898. Died, 20 Sep 1969. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Resided in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.
• 16 ii. Roy Elijah Lewis.
• iii. Russell L. (Rus) Lewis. Born, 13 Jun 1908. Died, 11 Oct 1977. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Resided in Steele, St. Clair Co., AL.

 

9. Laura Malvina[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 8 Oct 1878, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 1 Mar 1967. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

She married Joseph Wheat, 11 May 1904, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1868. Died, 1936. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• 17 i. Joe Lewis[4] Wheat.
• 18 ii. Mary Thelma Wheat.
• 19 iii. Earl Edward Wheat.
• 20 iv. Ray Lawrence Wheat.
• 21 v. Hattie Sue Wheat.

 

10. Annette Bell (Nettie)[3] Lewis (William Henry, 2). Born, 27 Aug 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 15 Feb 1933, in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

She married George Houston Partin, son of James C. Partin and Fannie E., 20 May 1906, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 6 Jul 1886. Died, 2 May 1978. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Infant[4] Partin. Born, 19 Feb 1907. Died, 22 Feb 1907. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Glen Partin.
• iii. Charles Partin.
• iv. Polly Partin.
• v. Annette Partin. Born, circa 1913, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN.

 

11. Robert A.[3] Bowman. Born, 1870. Died, 1949. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1920, in Decatur Co., TN.

In the 1920 census he is listed as living on Tennessee Avenue in Parsons.

He married B. A. (Beedie) Quinn, daughter of Joseph Abner (Abb) Quinn and

Louisa Hill, 31 Aug 1893, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 18 May 1875, in Decatur

Co., TN. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Albert L.[4] Bowman. Born, 1897. Died, 1976. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Barbara Ann Bowman. Born, 1902. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.

 

12. Alonzo B.[3] Bowman. Born, 1878. Died, 1948. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN.

He married Beadie Edna Riggs, 13 Oct 1897, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1879. Died, 1975. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1920, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Stella[4] Bowman. Born, circa 1899. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. She married G. W. Williams, 8 Sep 1918, in Henderson Co., TN.
• ii. George H. Bowman. Born, 12 Apr 1900. Died, 8 Mar 1922. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• 22 iii. Joe W. Bowman.
• 23 iv. John Arvie Bowman.
• v. Samuel Henry Bowman. Born, 6 Nov 1907. Died, 3 Jan 1936. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.

 

13. Sidney J.[3] Bowman. Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN.

He married Sarah Lona/Leona Bowman, 13 Jan 1895, in Decatur Co., TN.

Census: 1880, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Luther[4] Purdy Bowman. Born, circa 1896. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Isaac Dewey Bowman. Born, circa 1899. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• iii. Early E. Bowman. Born, circa 1901. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• iv. Cecil Bowman. Born, circa 1902. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• v. Oda Bowman. Born, circa 1905. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• vi. William G. Bowman. Born, circa 1907. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.
• vii. Wilma Bowman. Born, circa 1909. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.

 

FOURTH GENERATION

14. Mary Mitchell[4] Crowder. Born, 30 Jun 1889, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 6 Jan 1940. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

She married Thomas Poole Bateman, 22 Jun 1913, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1879. Died, 1935. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Martha G.[5] Bateman. Born, 6 Apr 1914. Died, 16 Aug 1919. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Infant Son Bateman. Born, 14 Aug 1914. Died, 14 Aug 1914. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
• iii. Infant Son Bateman. Born, 10 May 1922. Died, 10 May 1922. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

 

15. Hattie Effie[4] Crowder. Born, 8 Jan 1893, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 19 Sep 1973. Burial in Darden Cem., Henderson Co., TN.

She married Doss (Dorsey) Cantrell Evans, son of James Dawson (Doss) (Dossie) Evans and Mary L. Wallace, 1 Dec 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 20 Aug 1889, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. Died, 2 May 1948. Burial in Darden Cem., Henderson Co., TN. Children:

• i. Bessie Mae[5] Evans. Born, 14 Dec 1911, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1973, in Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS. Occupation: Teacher. She married Allen Watson.
• ii. Mary Rebecca Evans. Born, 31 Oct 1914, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1973, in Elizabethton, TN?. Occupation: Teacher. She married George Henry Maxwell.
• iii. Ruby Inez Evans. Born, 17 Nov 1917, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1973, in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN. Occupation: Teacher. She married Davis H. Fraser.
• iv. Moeta Ann Evans. Born, 5 Jan 1920, in Darden, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: circa 1992, in Toone, Hardeman Co., TN. She married David Franklin Nuckolls, son of A. T. Nuckolls and Orene Naylor.
• v. Doss Thomas (Tom) Evans. Born, 21 Jul 1928, in Bolivar, Hardeman Co., TN. Resided: circa 1992, in Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH. He married Dorris Mercer.

 

16. Roy Elijah[4] Lewis (Robert Lawrence, 8). Born, 21 Apr 1901. Died, 1960. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

He married Maude Odle. Children:

• i. Ann[5] Lewis. She married Tim McMurry.

 

17. Joe Lewis[4] Wheat. Born, 23 Apr 1905, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 25 Jul 1976. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

He married Golden Pitts. Born, 2 Sep 1910. Children:

• i. Robert Lewis[5] Wheat. Resided: circa 1994, in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.

 

18. Mary Thelma[4] Wheat. Born, 5 Apr 1907, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 16 Nov 1975. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

She married John T. Walker, 9 Jun 1928, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1896.

Died, 1965. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Infant Son[5] Walker. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
• ii. Joy Walker. Resided: circa 1994, in Raton, NM. She married Mike Pappas.

 

19. Earl Edward[4] Wheat. Born, 13 Sep 1908, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 17 Nov 1975. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN.

He married Reba Wanda Eads, 1929. Born, 1909. Died, before 1991. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN. Children:

• i. Bill[5] Wheat.
• ii. Willie Lynn Wheat. Resided: circa 1994, in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.

 

20. Ray Lawrence[4] Wheat. Born, 2 Mar 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 4 Oct 1960. Burial in Hollywood Cem., Jackson, Madison Co., TN. Occupation: Aviation.

Ray Wheat was a flight instructor pilot during World War II. He later was manager of the Memphis Municipal Airport. He committed suicide.

He married Helen Wade. Children:

• Ray Lawrence[5] Wheat. Resided: circa 1994, in Houston, Harris Co., TX.

 

21. Hattie Sue[4] Wheat. Born, 6 Feb 1913, in Decatur Co., TN. Resided: circa 1993, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN.

She married William Holland Reynolds, 15 Mar 1935. Born, 27 Oct 1909, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 31 Dec 1979. Children:

• i. William Dale[5] Reynolds. Born, 17 Feb 1936, in Decatur Co., TN. Resided: circa 1996, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. He married Anita Sue Conway.
• ii. Joe Edward Reynolds. Born, 18 Dec 1940, in Decatur Co., TN. Resided: circa 1996, in Crossville, Cumberland Co., TN.

 

22. Joe W.[4] Bowman (Alonzo B., 12). Born, 1901. Died, 1975. Burial in Cub Creek Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN.

He married Alpha O. Born, 1904. Died, Jan 1981. Burial in Cub Creek Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

• i. Roy[5] Bowman. Resided: 1981, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN.
• ii. Denver Bowman. Resided: 1981, in Vienna, Fairfax Co., VA.
• iii. George Bowman. Resided: 1981, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN.
• 24 iv. Edna Lee Bowman.

 

23. John Arvie[4] Bowman (Alonzo B., 12). Born, 18 Nov 1905. Died, 6 Oct 1989. Burial in Prospect Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1910, in Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer.

John Arvie Bowman lived in the Cedar Hill community near Parsons and was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church.

The date for his marriage to Lessie Quinn is uncertain. "Decatur County Marriage Records," Volume II compiled by Fred and Margie Alexander list a license date of 23 Dec 1925 and a marriage date of 24 Dec 1929. "A sketch of the family of Lenoise Bowman in "Decatur County, Tennessee History and Families" lists the marriage date as 23 Mar 1929.

He married Lessie Quinn, daughter of John William Robert (Jake) Quinn and Lucy May Hamilton, 24 Dec 1929, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 9 Jun 1908. Children:

• 25 i. Lenoise[5] Bowman.
• ii. Gerald Bowman. Born, circa 1941. Resided: circa 1989, in Wildersville, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: circa 1996, in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN.

 

FIFTH GENERATION

24. Edna Lee[5] Bowman (Joe W., 22). Born, 1926. Resided: 1981, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN.

She married Hearl Myracle, son of Hobert M. Myracle and Gertha Ann Eads. Born, 23 Jun 1921. Died, 6 Jun 1981. Burial in Lexington Cem., Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1978, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN. Children:

• i. Charlotte[6] Myracle. Resided: 1994, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN. She married Unknown Inman.

 

25. Lenoise[5] Bowman (John Arvie, 23). Born, 9 Dec 1929, in Cedar Hill, Decatur Co., TN. Resided: circa 1996, in Lakeland, FL.

He married Mary Plank, 17 Oct 1955. Children:

• i. Bruce Elliot[6] Bowman. Born, 14 Feb 1958. He married Martha Holder, 12 Apr 1980.
• ii. Kay Bowman. Born, 29 Oct 1960. She married Rodney Brown, 29 Aug 1980.
• iii. Stacy Carol Bowman. Born, 12 Nov 1962.