USA > Iowa > Howard County > Lime Springs > History of the Welsh in Minnesota, Foreston and Lime Springs, Ia. gathered by the old settlers > Part 25
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getic business man, and of a genial and generous spirit. IIc was a member of the Utica Congregational church. Ile left surviving, his wife whom he had married in Remsen, (now Mrs. Catherine Williams, of Mankato, , and one child, John Lewis.
LEWIS, MR. AND MRS. MORRIS .- Mr. Lewis was born in March, 1809, at Felin Rhiwsaeson, Llanbrynmair, Mont- gomeryshire, Wales. Son of Morgan and Catherine Lewis. In 1835 he married Miss Mary, daughter William Richard Jones, an innkeeper of Rhymney. Mrs. Lewis had been born June 7, 1816, at Aberdare, Montgomeryshire. Mr. Lewis emigrated to America December 24, 1839, and sent for his family in 1841. They located first at Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved thence to Brady's Bend, Pa. In May, 1855, Mr. Lewis came to Minnesota and located on the farm still owned by the family in the town of Cambria. Having built a log cabin the family joined him in the spring of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were honest, industrious, thrifty people, kind and given to hospitality, and faithful members of the Baptist church, of which Mr. Lewis was a deacon. Mr. Lewis died September 15, 1882. Mrs. Lewis is still living and is as bright and cheerful as ever. They had twelve children, only two of whom are now living: Win. R. Lewis, of Lake Crystal, Minn., and Mrs. John C. Jones, of Cambria. Minn.
LEWIS, HON. RICHARD-Born at Llangysig, Montgom- eryshire, Wales, in 1833. In 1847 he emigrated with his pa- rents, Richard and Tryphena Lewis, to Jefferson county, Wis., where he engaged in farming. In 1854 he married Miss Mar- garet Lloyd. He moved to Judson, Minn., in 1862, where he still resides in a comfortable home. He has always taken an active part in public matters and held many local offices. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legislature. He has had seven children, three of whom are now living: William P., John and Edward.
LEWIS, PASTOR THOS. HENRY .- Born August 30, 1860, in Turin, Lewis county, N. Y. When he was four years old his father, Robert Lewis, a merchant by occupation, died and his mother, Margaret, moved to Rome, N. Y. to live with her parents taking him and his only sister Bertha ( now wife of John G. Roberts, of Lime Springs, Ia. ) with her. . After four years the mother married again-her second husband be- ing Henry G. Jones, now of Wales. Soon after this young Lewis and his sister came to Lime Springs, Ia., with their uncle
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and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Roberts. March 5, 1871, the mother died and the above named uncle and annt, who had adopted his sister four years before, now opened their door to her orphan brother and gave both the best of homes. The education which the mother purposed to give her boy, his uncle and aunt provided for him. At nineteen he was sent to the Minnesota State University. Before completing his uni- versity course, however, he entered the employ of the Miller's Association of Minneapolis, as stenographer. In three years his salary was raised to $100 per month and when this com- pany discontinued he was employed at the same salary by the St. Anthony and Dakota Elevator Co. until July 1, 1892. At this time he received what he deemed a divine call to become pastor of the Dawson, Minn., Congregational church. He has been exceptionally successful in his work and the church has more than doubled its membership. He is a fine gospel preacher and is greatly beloved by his people. In 1884 he married Miss Alice P. Leonard, of Minneapolis. They have four children, two boys and two girls.
LEWIS, WILLIAM P .- Born at Blaen Dyfryn, near Sparta, Wis., October 25, 1856. Son of Hon. Richard Lewis, who came to Judson, Minn., in 1862. He received a good common school education. Married at Sparta, Wis., February 15, 18SS, Miss Susan, daughter of the late John and Margaret Lloyd of near Llangeitho, Cardiganshire, Wales, where she was born. During 1888 they resided at Minneapolis, where Mr. Lewis was employed in the railway car shops. March 1, 1889, he was elected overseer of the Blue Earth county Poor Farm, which position he still holds. Mr. Lewis and his excel- lent wife have made the most efficient managers of the Poor Farm Blue Earth county ever had. They have, not only, looked after the interests of the county and cared for the phy- sical wants of the poor, but they have considered the poor to be human beings with needy minds and souls to be, also, ministered to. During their administration a table with good reading matter furnished by the Mankato churches has been provided. The first religious service at the Poor Farm and perhaps in that neighborhood was held by Rev. John C. Jones in June, 1889, at request of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. Preaching services have been conducted there since every year by Revs. W. A. Warren, R. D. Price, Lee Beatty, M. Wash- burn, Thos. R. Jones and others. In the fall of 1890 a Sab- bath school was started. with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis as teachers,
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and much interest has been, and still is, taken in Bible study. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are worthy members of the Mankato Welsh church.
LEWIS, WM. R .- Born at Rhymney, Monmouthshire, Wales, July 11, 1835. His parents were Morris and Mary Lewis, above mentioned. Emigrated with his parents to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1841, and thence in the spring of 1856 to Cambria, Minn. Married Miss Sarah, daughter of John E. and Dinah Davis, of the same place, July 29, 1862. Enlisted in 1863 in Company E, Second Minnesota Cavalry and served under Gen. Sibley until close of war. He has always taken an active in- terest in the political affairs of the day, and has frequently held office in his town. In 1891 he retired from his farm to the village of Lake Crystal. He is a faithful member of the Baptist church and of the G. A. R. post of that place, and is much esteemed by all his acquaintances.
LEWIS, WM. T .- Born at Llidardan, near Bala, Wales, in 1821. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lewis. In 1842 he emi- grated with his parents to Lewis county, N. Y., where the family resided many years. In 1850 he married Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of John and Elinor Watkins, of Deerfield, N. Y., where her father was a very prominent elder of the C. M. church. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis continued to reside in Lewis county until 1866 when they moved to Foreston, Ia., and lo- cated on a farm where they prospered greatly. On the 18th of May, 1893, however, he was fatally injured by being thrown under his wagon in a runaway and died on the 26th of the same month. Mr. Lewis was brought up religiously from his youth and was well versed in his bible. Ile was always faith- ful and active in all the services of the church and was leader in the organization and maintenance of the Foreston Welsh church. In March, 1870, he was chosen an elder and performed the duties of the office with exceptional fidelity. He rendered great service to the church, also, as leader of song. Ile left surviving his estimable wife and four children: Thos. Lewis, of Miner, S. D., John, Ella and Wellington, of Foreston, Ia.
LLOYD, DAVID-Born at Llanarth, Cardiganshire, Wales, June 4, 1811. He received a fair education in the schools of that day in Wales. For some time he attended a seminary conducted at Neuadd Lwyd, Cardiganshire, by Rev. Thomas Phillips, D. D. When a young man he went to Dowlais, where he resided for a few years. In 1841 he was married to
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Miss Margaret Lewis, who was born at Llanon, Cardigan- shire, June 4, 1814. In the spring of 1843 they emigrated to the United States and located for some years at Pittsburg. In the spring of 1854 they moved to Okl Man's Creek, Ia., and thence in the fall of the same year they went to Ironton, (). In May, 1856, they came with the Jackson colony to Minne- sota and located on their present farm in Sharon, Le Suenr county. On the 20th of April, 1894 Mrs. Lloyd died. Mr. Lloyd still resides with his son, IIon. Job Lloyd, on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, by honest industry and thrift, acquired a goodly competance of this world's goods and were not unmindful of the better riches of heaven. The community and the church testify to their faithfulness. Their children are: John Lloyd, of Tracy, Catherine, wife of John P. Davis, of the same place, Susanna, wife of David Y. Davis, of Mankato, Evan Lloyd, of Ottawa, David Rees Lloyd. of Sharon, and Hon Job Lloyd, of the same place.
LLOYD, EVAN-Born at Old Man's Creek, Ia., August 26, 1853, and is a son of David and Margaret Lloyd, above men- tioned. Came to Minnesota with his parents in May, 1856, locating in Sharon, Le Sueur county. Married Jane E., daughter of David Morgan, Esq., of the same place, May 31, 1883. He has been a merchant and postmaster at Ottawa, Minn., since the fall of 1887 and has been quite successful.
LLOYD, JABEZ .- Born at Cromlech, Llangristiolus, Angle- sea, Wales, February, 1814. In 1843 he married Miss Marga- ret Jones, Bwleyn, Ceirchiog, Anglesea. He resided for some time at Liverpool and in 1845 emigrated to Cambria, Wis. In 1866 he moved to Blue Earth county, Minn. and located on the farm still owned by the family in Butternut Valley. In 1884 he retired to the city of Mankato where he built him a pleasant home, but on Christmas, 1885, he passed from this earthly abode to his rest and reward in the mansions above. Mr. Lloyd was made an elder of the C. M. church before leav- ing Wales and continued active and faithful in the office until the end. The churches of Scion and Cambria, Wis., and Je- rusalem, Minn., are much indebted to his efficient and untir- ing efforts. He was scrupulously honest in belief and conduct and his life always exemplified fully his high Christian pro- fession. He left surviving his wife and six children: John, Peter, Gabriel, Ann, Jane and Margaret. The latter died October 19, 1889.
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Jabez Lloyd. LATE OF MANKATO, MINN.
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Evan Evans. (PANT ) LATE OF SOUTH BEND, MINN.
Isaac Woods. LATE OF SOUTH BEND, MINN.
Robert E. Hughes. LATE OF JUDSON, MINN.
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LLOYD, HON. JOB .- Born at Sharon, LeSueur county, Minn., September 29, 1856, being the first white child born in that township. Son of David and Margaret Lloyd. He made good use of the country school education he received. IIe married in May, 1893, Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. Wm. E. Jones, of LeSueur, Minn. Ile has been very active in politics and his wonderful popularity is shown by the fact that in 1890 he was elected to the legislature on the Republican ticket by a good majority from the strongly Democratie district of Le- Sueur; and, in 1894, he was again elected to the state senate from the same district by a large majority over one of the most popular Democrats in the county. Lloyd has made a success not only of politics but of farming. IIe is also an active worker in Saron church. Ilis energy and push tri- umphs over every difficulty.
LLOYD, JOHN .- Born at Dowlais, Montgomeryshire, Wales, December 5, 1842. Son of David and Margaret Lloyd. He came with his parents to Pittsburg in 1843, thence to Iron- ton, Ohio, in 1854, and to Sharon, LeSueur county, Minn., in May, 1856. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E., Ninth Minnesota and served faithfully in all the campaigns with his Regiment until the end of the war. March 8, 1870, he married Miss Mary, daughter of David J. Davis, of Cam- bria, Minn., and resided for some years on his farm in Cotton- wood, Brown county. In May, 1881, he moved to Tracy, Mtnn, and engaged in the farm machinery business. Takes an interest in public affairs and is always active and ener- getic. Has been member of the Tracy City Council for two years and is now deputy game warden. His children are: David E., Hannah M., Charles S. and Margaret E.
LLOYD, PETER .- Born in Randolph township near Cam- bria, Wis., July 17, 1850. Son of Jabez and Margaret Lloyd. Removed with parents to Blue Earth county, Minn., October, 1866, and lived with them on farm in Butternut Valley. Re- ceived a good common school education and attended the State Normal at Mankato for a time. Ile also taught school five terms. December 21, 1881, married Ann, daughter of Hon. Rich. Wigley of Judson, and on March 1st following was appointed deputy treasurer of Blue Earth county under Win. Jones. Summer of 1884 he became book keeper of the drug firm of Moore Piper & Co. and then took a clerkship in a store at Lake Crystal, then in January. 1886, accepted a posi- tion with White Lead & Oil Co., of St. Paul, and in the fall
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of same year entered the store of C. E. Davis at Lake Crystal, where he continued one year, and was elected Treasurer of Blue Earth county, which office he still holds, having been elected four successive terms by big majorities. He and his wife are faithful and efficient members of the Mankato C. M. church, and are hospitable, popular and highly respected by all. Their children are: Annie, Richard, Bessie, Margaret, Jabez Alvin and Mary.
MEREDITH, GRIFFITH-Born at Cae Glas, Maentwrog, Merionethshire, Wales, in 1798. His parents were Meredith and Jane Jones. He lost his father when two months old, and he and six others, the oklest not over ten years, fell to the care of their widowed mother. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation until hindered by old age. While working with an uncle at Llanfachreth, Merioneth- shire he was converted in a revival. There also he married Margaret, daughter of Robert Davis ( B =: Ich y Gela), who was his fellow convert. There were born to them a number of children of whom five are alive. Emigrated to New York and located at French Road, Oneida county, where he was chosen elder of the C. M. church. From there he came to Judson, Minn in 1873. He died October 8, 1881, and is burried at Je- rusalem cemetery. Was very faithful to all his duties as an elder of the C. M. church and as a man.
MORRIS, HON. EVAN R .- Born near Ffestiniog, Merion- ethshire, Wales. He is a brother of Rev. O. R. Morris, of Bristol Grove, Minn., and emigrated in 1849 with the family to Blue Mounds, Wis., when a young man. He has lived for twenty years at Bristol Grove, engaged in farming. In 1892, on account of ill health, he rented his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Lime Springs, la. For several terms he held the office of assessor of his town, and was for twelve years justice of the peace. He also represented Fill- more county for one term in the Legislature with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is one of the many Welshmen who have attained honor and distinction by strict honestyand perseverance.
MORRIS. HUGH II .- Born at Dinorwig, Carnarvonshire, Wales, in 1837. His parents were related to the eminent min- ister Rev. Morris Hughes ( Felinheli ). When he was seven years old the family emigrated to this country and were among the early settlers of Proscairon, Wis., and Hugh Mor- ris, the father, was well known as a strong pillar of the relig-
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ious cause there. In the year 1866 HI. H. Morris and his friend R. W. Hughes moved to Bristol Grove, Minn., where he lived for 27 years. In 1867 he was married to Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones ( ) Gelli), who were among the first Welsh settlers of Fillmore county, Minn. They had six children. He is highly respected by all who know him as a true gentleman and sincere christian. He is a great reader and a good patron of Welsh literature. He takes great inter- est in the Bible and missionary societies. He is also an active and leading member of the temperance societies, whose prin- ciples he has frequently advocated with great force in public. A year ago he sold his farm in Fillmore county to his son-in- law and bought another farm in the vicinity of Lime Springs, where he lives at present among his many friends.
MORGAN, REV. JOHN W .- Born at Merthyr Tydfil, Glan- morganshire, Wales. Came with his parents to America and located at Danville, Pa., where he was brought up and edu- cated. Ile began the work of the ministry at the C. M. church of Alliance, O., and was ordained by the synod of Calvinistic Methodist churches of Ohio in 1880. In 1882 he moved to Foreston, Ia., where he ministered to the Welsh church until the middle of 1885. He then moved to Powell, Dakota, where he had pastoral charge of the church there and of the Welsh C. M. church at Bath, Dakota, for three years. He next be- came pastor of the C. M. church at Sugar Notch, Pa., for two years. He then returned to Dakota and joined the Presbyte- rian body and became pastor of the English church at White- wood, S. D. He is a good preacher and a successful pastor. MORRIS, SR., OWEN-Born at Pen-y-graig-wen, Angle- sea, Wales, March 20, 1822. His parents were Morris and Ann Owens, When quite young he removed with his parents to Ty'nlon, Llanfihang-el-tre'r-beirdd, in the same shire, where he spent his youthful days. In February, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Ellis ( Llcinian), in the same neighborhood. In 1856 he moved to Gaerwen, where he was elected an elder of the C. M. church, which office he faithfully filled in every church, of which he became a member. From Gaerwen he moved to Llangaed in 1863, and emigrated to America in 1869, settling on a farm in Cambria, Minn. Ile returned to Wales .in 1885, but came back to America again in 1888 and located in St. Paul. While visiting Blue Earth County, he died at the resi- dence of Mr. David Thomas, in Lake Crystal, October 20,
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1889. His remains were interred in Cambria cemetery, the Rev. T. E. Hughes officiating. He was a good man, careful in all things, and Godly. He had five children, two sons died in Wales, and his only daughter, a young lady of more than average ability-Miss Mary Morris-died at Cambria, Minn. The two remaining sons and Mrs. Morris reside in this state, viz .: Thos. Morris, in Minneapolis, and Hon. O. Morris, in St. Paul.
MORRIS, JR., HON. OWEN .- Born at Anglesca, Wales, in 1858. Son of Owen and Catherine Morris. Came with his par- ents to Cambria, Minn., in summer of 1869. Graduated A. B. from Carleton College, Minn., in the class of 1881. Carried off the first honors in the state oratorical contest of that year and won the second prize in the inter-state oratorical contest held that year at Indianapolis. In November, 1882, he was elected to the State Legislature from Blue Earth county. At the close of his Legislative terin he entered the law office of Hon. Gordon E. Cole, one of the ablest lawyers of the state, and was in due time admitted to practice, when he formed a law partnership with Mr. Cole and Mr. Bramhall as Cole, Bramhill & Morris, at St. Paul. This partnership continued until Mr. Cole's death in 1890. Soon thereafter Mr. Morris formed a partnership at the same place with W. H. Williams which continued until December, 1892, since which time Mr. Morris has been in business alone, He is a very bright and able lawyer and has worked up a large practice. He is, also, a fine Welsh scholar and is fond of poetry and music.
MORRIS, REV. OWEN R .- Born at Ty'nddol Blaenau, Festiniog, Merionethshire. His parents were religious people who brought up all their children in the christian faith. When old enough he was employed in the quarries until nearly twenty years old, when, in 1849, he emigrated to Blue Mounds, Wis., where he was one of the pioneers. In 1851 he married and in 1858 began to preach at the request of some of the small Welsh churches of the neighborhood. Though obliged to contend with the difficulties of raising a family amid the poverty and hardships of a new country, he developed such ability as a preacher that at the Synod of the C. M. churches held in June, 1866, at Dodgeville, Wis., he was ordained to the work of the ministry. In 1868 he moved to Bristol Grove, Minn., where he located on his present valuable farm. He was soon received as a member of the C. M. Synod of Minne- sota and for 26 years has preached among the churches of
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his district. In 1882 he visited his native land and was very gladly received by his many friends and spent a very profit- able year preaching among the C. M. churches of Wales and England. Ou his return in 1883 he wrote an extended ac- count of his travels to the Drych. Through industry, fru- gality and good management he has acquired considerable property. His rugged physical and mental strength still con- tinue unabated and years of usefulness still await him. He is a man of great determination of character and his tempo- ral and spiritual welfare have alike been prospered.
MORRIS, PROF. JOHN .- Is a son of Rev. Owen R. Mor- ris, of Bristol Grove, Minn., was born at Blue Mounds, Wis., and passed his boyhood days on his father's farm. Removed with the family in 1868 to Fillmore county, Minn. Here, in addition to farm labor he engaged in carpentry and machine work and attended school during the winter months until he was 18 years of age. He then taught five winters in Minne- sota and lowa. Later he entered the University of Minne- sota and graduated with honors in the class of 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, having re- ceived the highest markings ever given in that department. After completing his course he was appointed Superintendent of Manual Training in the High Schools of Minneapolis. At present he superintends the works of the Plano Manufac- turing Company at West Pullman, Ill. Prof. Morris is a man of talent and learning, and above all an useful member and office bearer in the church.
OWENS, JOHN JJ .- Born February 7, 1857, in Cambria, and lived in that city with his parents until 1879, when he came to Minneapolis, Minn. He was connected with the Miune- apolis Harvester Works for eight years, and since that time has been engaged in business with his father J. L. Owens, and brother R. J. Owens, in the manufacture of grain separators and general farm machinery, starting in with a limited capi- tal and working the business up to one of the largest estab- lishments of the kind in the United States.
OWENS, JOHN L .- Son of Owen and Jane Owens, born at Pen Amnan, Dolyddelen, Carnarvonshire, Wales, August 10, 1832. His mother was a sister of the eminent divines, David Jones, John Jones ( Talysarny, and William Jones; Welsh Prairie, Wis., and the family can be traced back through Hledd Molynog, 1170, lo Llesfrodedd Farcharry in the tenth century. In 1846 he came with his parents to Welsh Prairie,
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Wis., and in 1856 married Miss Winnie Roberts, of Racine. Soon after he started in business at Cambria, Wis., where he resided for years. While there he invented the self rake reapers in 1870, and a harvester in 1871 known afterwards as the Esterley Harvester, to which was given the medal at the Centennial Exposition in 1876. In July, 1878, Mr. Owens went to Minneapolis as inventor for the Minneapolis Ilar- vester Company and soon was given, in addition, the superin- tendency of all the woodwork, having hundreds of men under his supervision. He remained with the company for seven years and, after severing his connection, invented the Owens Fanning Mill, which received the first award at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, and which marks a new departure in separating and cleaning all kinds of grain. He is the presi- dent of the J. L. Owens Company which has manufactured and placed on the market over 8.000 of these mills in a single year. He has several other valuable patterns and at present has nearly completed a machine to cut and thrash the grain simultaneously, which he expects to place on the market in the near future. Among the Welsh people of Minneapolis he is one of the oldest settlers and has been directly or indirectly instrumental in bringing many to the city. He was elected deacon in the Welsh church at Cambria, Wis., and has served in that capacity in the Minneapolis church since its organiza- tion, and has been the president of the board of trustees from the beginning.
OWENS, JOHN PHILIP-Born January 6, 1818. Son of William Owens, who came to America from North Wales and served in the war of 1812. When seven years old his father died and he was brought up by a stepfather on a farm. Ile received an academic education at Cincinnati, O. Began to learn the printing trade when 17; was apprenticed for four years and graduated on his twenty-first birthday. Having inherited some money from his father, he invested it in a newspaper enterprise at Cincinnati and lost it all. For sev- eral years was engaged as a reporter and assistant editor on various papers in Cincinnati, Louisville, Vicksburg and New Orleans. In 1849 he formed a partnership with Nat. McLean, of Cincinnati, to establish a paper at St. Paul. Ile arrived in St. Paul on May 27, 1849. The first number of the Minne- sota Register was printed at Cincinnati and brought to St. Paul for distribution in July. In October the paper was united with the Minnesota Chronicle and so published until
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