Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-A. Lewis, M. D.
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
A. LEWIS, M. D., who has been engaged in
the practice of medicine in Solomon City
since 1881. was born in Zanesville, Muskingum
County, Ohio, October 16, 1823,
received excellent educational advantages;
for three years he was a student in Zanesville Academy,
and was graduated from Granville University
in 1848. Having determined to make the practice
of medicine his life work, he began studying with
Dr. John Watkins, with whom he remained three
years. He then attended a course of lectures in
the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and afterward
read and practiced for three years with his
old instructor. In 1800, he was graduated from
the Zanesville Academy of Medicine.
Two years later, Dr. Lewis entered the service of
his country, and was made Captain of Company
I, First Ohio Regiment of Heavy Artillery, but at
Knoxville, Tenn., was transferred to the Medical
Corps, becoming Post Surgeon of Ft. Clay, Ky.
In February, 1864, Gen. Fry placed Dr Lewis, who
then bore the rank of Colonel, but had been breveted
Brigadier-General for this expedition, in command
of a brigade made up of parts of the First and
Second Heavy Artillery, the Tenth Indiana Infantry,
and the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. With two
thousand men, he proceeded from Camp Burnsides
to Salina, on the Cumberland River, where three
thousand rebels were in possession, thus effecting
a complete blockade of the river, shutting off the
provision boats conveying supphes to the Union
army in Eastern Tennessee. Gen. Lewis approached
.Salina, and for a time waited for the arrival of
gunboats which were to be sent to his assistance,
but as these failed to arrive he ordered an attack.
The battle raged from dark until eleven o'clock the
following day, when he landed his forces and routed
the enemy, capturing over three hundred
prisoners and opening the river to transports.
While in command on his headquarter's boat. Gen.
Lewis was shot, receiving a severe wound in the
left leg, and from that injury he has never fully
recovered. He was highly complimented on the
successful issue of this expedition by Gen. Thomas.
On being mustered out of the service, the Doctor
returned to Zanesville, where he continued to
engage in practice until 1876. In 1848, he wedded
Mary J. Vickers, and unto them were born three
children: Minnie M., wife of H. J.
Johnson, of Emporia,
Kan.; Carrie, wife of A. Fickler, of Dickinson
County; and Elmer, whose sketch appears elsewhere
in this work. The mother of this family
died at her home in Abilene. Dr. Lewis was again
married, February 19, 1891, his union being with
Mrs. Alice Hall, of Troy, Kan., a successful teacher,
and a lady of rare merit. By her former marriage
she was the mother of one daughter, Viva Trevino.
Dr. Lewis is a Republican in politics, and has twice
served as a Presidential elector, at which times he
supported Gen. Scott and Gen. U. S. Grant. For
some years he lectured in Zanesville Academy of
Medicine, and in medical institutions of New
York and Philadelphia on hygiene and the diseases
of children. He and his wife have a pleasant home
in Solomon City, whither they removed from Abilene
after a four-year residence, and there he has
secured a liberal patronage.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP