Smith Cemetery ~ Francis Marion Lewis ~ part of the Polk County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
Lewis, Francis Marion
LAST: Lewis FIRST: Francis MID: Marion
GENDER: M MAIDEN NAME:  TITLE: 
BORN: 5 Feb 1847 DIED: 9 Mar 1923 BURIED: 11 Mar 1923 (Smith Cemetery)
OCCUPATION:  
BIRTH PLACE:  Lewisville, Polk Co., Oregon
DEATH PLACE: Lewisville, Polk Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
1st MARRIAGE - F.M. Lewis of Polk Co & Flora McLeod md 30 May 1869 at home of Donald McLeod, Washington Co, Oregon
1880 OR CENSUS - F.M. Lewis (32y, b Oregon, occupation farmer) enumerated with wife Flora (29y, b Oregon) and daughter O.A. [Orpha Icadene] (11y, b Oregon); also with the family was H. Williams (male, 23y, b Wisconsin; works on farm)
1900 OR CENSUS - Frank M. Lewis (b Feb 1847, Oregon,) enumerated with wife of 30y Flora (b May 1851, b Oregon, mother of 1 child who was living); also with the family was nephew Clinton McClaud (b Aug 1884, Oregon) [probably McLeod, which was Flora's maiden name]
2nd MARRIAGE - Francis M. Lewis & Ava Enora Yeles m 16 Mar 1910, Benton Co, Oregon
1920 OR CENSUS - Francis M. Lewis (72y, b Oregon) enumerated with wife Ava E. (50y, b Ill), John A. Glasener (61y, b Ill) and Mayme Glasener (62y, b Ill)
NOTE - first husband of Ava Eudora Yeley Lewis Jones

BIOGRAPHY - A worthy representative oif a pioneer family whose strong earnest living has done much for the early growth and upbuilding of this western state is F.M. Lewis, who was born in Polk county, Orer, upon the location of his present home, this being a part of the old donation claim taken up by his father in 1846. The day upon which he first saw the light of life was February 5, 1847, and he was one of a family of twelve children, whose parents were David R. Lewis, born near Louisville, Franklin county, Ky, in 1813, and Mary (Redden) Lewis, also a native of that state, born in 1812. For more information concerning this family refer to the sketch of David W. Lewis, the brother of Mr Lewis of this review.
The early education of F.M. Lewis was received in a log schoolhouse, located upon the present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lewisville, and when his school days were over he engaged in farming with his father. In 1859, when twelve years old, he went into a logging camp, working for his father in his sawmill, which was located in township 9, range 6 west. He continued at this work for six years, and at that time sold his interest and returned to agricultural pursuits, now owning one hundred and seventy acres, eighty acres of which are under cultivation, this land being a part of the old donation claim, which he took upon the division of the land. He carries on general farming and the raising of goats and sheep, having registered Angora goats and Cotswold sheep, and meeting with gratifying success in this occupation.
The marriage ceremony which united the fortunes of F.M. Lewis and Flora McLeod, was performed in 1869. She is a native of Oregon. She is a native of Oregon, having been born May 13, 1850, near Forest Grove, Washington county, where her father, Donald McLeod, had taken up a donation land claim. He had come west in the interests of the Hudson Bay Company, and had been engaged on the Columbia river. Mr and Mrs Lewis are the parents of one child, Orpha Icadean, who is now the wife of Henry Mattison, located near Independence. Both himself and wife are supporters of the Christian Church at Monmouth. Politically Mr Lewis adheres to the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party. He has served as school director for several years.
Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1903), pp 1307-08
OBITUARY: 
F.M. Lewis, Polk county’s oldest native son, passed away at his home near Lewisville March 9th. Funeral services were held Sunday at the home, conducted by Rev V.A. Ballantyne, the Lewisville pastor. Interment was in the Smith cemetery. Francis Marion Lewis was born on his father’s donation land claim at Lewisville on February 5, 1847, and died on the same place, where he had lived all his life at the advanced age of 76 years, 1 month and 4 days. On May 31, 1869, he married Flora McCleoud, who died August 8, 1908, leaving one daughter, Mrs Icadene Mattison, who now resides in Independence. On March 16, 1910, he again married, the bride being Eudora Yeley, who survives him. Mr Lewis united with the Christian church at Lewisville while still a young man and has been a member of that church since that time. Six years ago he placed his membership with the Christian church at Falls City. Besides the widow and daughter, there survive him two brothers, J. Henry Lewis of Salem, and D.W. Lewis of Lewisville, and two sisters, Mrs Powell of Falls City, and Mrs Lena Graves of St Louis, Mo.
Polk County Itemizer, Thursday, March 15, 1923, 1:3

Marion Francis Lewis was born on his father’s donation claim at Lewisville, Polk county, Oregon, on February 5, 1847, and died on the same place March 9, 1923, at the age of 76 years, 1 month and 4 days. On May 31, 1869,he married Flora McCloud, who died August 8, 1908, leaving one daughter, Mrs Icadene Mattison. On March 16, 1910, he married Eudora Yeley. He united with the Christian church at Lewisville while still a young man and has been a member of that church since that time. Six years ago he united with the Christian church at Falls City. He was one of Polk county’s pioneers, always having resided on the home farm, and a member of the community respected by all. He leaves to folllow him to a better land his wife, Mrs Eudora Lewis, his daughter, Mrs Mattison of Independence, two brothers, J. Henry Lewis of Salem and D.W. Lewis of Lewisville, and two sisters, Mrs Powell of Falls City and Mrs Lena Grave of St Louis, Mo. The funeral services were held at the home. He was buried in the Smith cemetery near Lewisville.
Polk County Observer, Thursday, March 15, 1923, 5:3
INSCRIPTION: 
F.M.
Lewis
Feb. 5, 1847
March 9, 1923

[shares marker with Flora McLeod Lewis]
SOURCES: 
Lewis family history, PCHS
OSBH DC (Polk County 1923) #30
Washington Co, Oregon, Marriage Records
1880 OR CENSUS (Polk Co, Luckiamute, ED 107, FA#89)
1900 OR CENSUS (Polk Co, Luckiamute, ED 176, FA#47)
Benton Co, Oregon, Marriage Records
1920 OR CENSUS (Polk Co, E. Luckiamute, ED 371, page 213A)
Polk County Itemizer, 15 Mar 1923, 1:3
Polk County Observer, 15 Mar 1923, 5:3
PBRWV (1903), pp 1307-08
CONTACTS: 
ROW: 45-2