May 6, 2014

Israel George Lewis - Son of George C. and Caroline Camp Lewis

Caroline and George Lewis had only one son who was named after George's father, Israel Putnam Lewis, and George, himself.  Israel George Lewis was born on November 23, 1849, the middle child in the Lewis family.  He lived almost his whole life farming on the family homestead and he never married.

In the 1900 census, when Israel was 50, he was living as a boarder with Charles and Gertrude Patsmon and little Merlyn, 3.  He was working as a farm laborer, but it is not indicated if that is on his own farm or not.  By 1900, he had moved into a house by himself, just two houses down from his youngest sister Sarah Cook, who was a widow.  Israel owned a farm, and Sarah's son, Orlo, 24, was a farm laborer, so perhaps they were all still working and living on the family homestead or close to it.

Israel died in 1917 and several obituaries marked his passing.
The Sabbath Recorder, Vol. 83, Seventh Day Baptists, 1917, p. 671:

"LEWIS.  Israel George Lewis was born November 23, 1849, and died Octobert 22, 1917.
He was the only son of George and Caroline Camp Lewis.  His entire life was spent in the old home about five miles north of Brookfield, whih was purchased by his grandfather more than 106 years ago, and which has always remained in the Lewis family.  
Mr. Lewis is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Duane Washburn, of Earlville, and Mrs. Sarah Cook, of Brookfield, besides several nieces and nephews. He was a faithful Sabbath Keeper, but had never united with any church.  Funeral services were held at the home, conducted by Rev. J. E. Hutchins.

The Madison County Times reported much the same, with this addition information:

"October 10th, one week before his death, he caught a severe cold.  A bad attack of grip followed and Sunday morning bronchitis-pneumonia developed.  Monday evening at 8:30 o'clock, he quietly passed to the great beyond."

Israel was buried with his sister, Etta, in the Brookfield Rural Cemetery, in the spot probably once reserved for her husband, A. B. Lewis.
In 1920, a notice appeared in the paper that the old homestead farm was to be auctioned.

"The undersigned, executor of the estate of Israel G. Lewis, deceased, will sell at public auction, at the Central Hotel in the village of Waterville, on July 13, 1920, at 2 o'clock p.m., the farm of one hundred seventy five acres, known as the Israel G. Lewis Homestead Farm, situated in the town of Sangerfield on the creek road leading from Brookfield to Waterville.
This is an excellent farm, has five buildings, including two basement barns, is well watered, has running water in barn, and includes fifty acres of excellent timber, consisting primarily of maple.
Terms 10 percent down, balance on July 23, on receipt of executor's deed.
Frank B. Williams, Executor
Brown & Brown, Attorney for Executor, Leonardville, N.Y."

And so, after at least three generations on the homestead, we may assume it was sold out of the family, but that is a discovery yet to be made.

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