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Thus. Walker Lewis, the sub ject of this sketch was born in Albermarle county, Virginia, February 15, 1827, on Machunk a creek, near Charlottesville. At the age of eight years, in September, 1835, he, with his parents, left his native state c and landed in Pike county, Mo. One year later he moved on the farm where he now lives. In 1845, he went back to Pike county where he learned the tanner’s trade, under R. D. Bruington, working at this trade for three and a half years. At the age of 21, in the spring of 1850, he with Samuel ally, Ben Nally and Robert Smith, left old Prairieville starting on their long and hard journey toward the gold fields of Cali fornia, standing the many hard ships as only a young man can, at one time spending his last 50 cents for water and dividing this with his mule. All went well until Samuel Nally took sick at Fort Lammie. They did all they could for the sick man, hauling him 1,000 miles before he died on the Humboldt river, 25 miles north of where this river sinks into the ground. Here their horses gave out; they left them and went on their way with two mules; a distance of about 600 miles was traveled on foot. They sold their mules for $15 apiece and with this money bought provisions enough to last one day. The party arrived at Placer ville, August 1lth, as Uncle Tom puts it ‘without a cent in their pockets and nothing to eat.”” He went to mining on his own hook. Did very well for awhile. In the fall of 1851, his mine caved in on him and he was seriously hurt at Weaver creek. Left Weaver creek in the summer of 1854 and went to Coon Hollow where he bought a claim which proved to be a fail ure. After nine years of gold hunt ing, he left San Francisco July 6th, 1859, sailing on the steamer ''Golden Gate”’ by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. There he sailed on the steamer ‘Moses Taylor” to New York. Arrived at the latter place twenty days after leaving San Francisco. After spending five days in New York City, he came by rail to Alton, Ill., and from there to St. Louis on a boat, arriving at home August 3rd, 1859, rich in experience but poor in purse. Went to work on the farm for his father. His long trip took him across the continent and around two sides of it. At the death of his father, he received as his share of the estate 200 acres of the old homestead, at which place he still lives and in the same house, having lived almost seventy years on this one place. He was married to Isabella Gilmer June 14, 1861. To this union five children were born; three of them are still living. Henry G. is with his father on the old home place. William M.., of St. Louis, and Mrs. Mary Gale, of Boston, Mass. Uncle Tom is the proud pos sessor of a blanket that was made in 1832 by his mother, who carded the wool, spun the rolls and wove it seventy-six years ago. In his early child hood he at one time lived on a farm that formerly belonged to Thos. Jefferson, and has played at and climbed over the house in which Jefferson lived at Mon ticello. Uncle Tom is a natural musi cian. Is very fond of the banjo, his favorite instrument.Al though he has been afflicted for years, he is one of the most cheerful men that the writer has ever known. He is now 81 years old. He is a cousin of Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Has been a life-long Democrat. Is one of the best and most substantial citizens of this county.—E. E. Lovell.
Newspaper Details
Troy Free Press
Troy, Missouri, US
Fri, May 29, 1908
Page 2
Full Page
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Marlin D.
VA, USA 20 Jul 2026
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