Isaac Charles LEWIS 1855-1937

Isaac Charles LEWIS, born 20 July 1855 in Ontario Canada (Canada West), is the grandfather to Jack & Bill Lewis, great-grandfather to their children, 2nd great-grandfather to the next generation. 

Over the course of Isaac's 82 years, he lived in Lennox & Addington county in Ontario, moving to Selkirk Manitoba Canada before 1885, marrying in 1885, having 8 children, and by 1911 he and several of his family moved to Vancouver British Columbia (BC) Canada. Westward ho! 

Isaac Charles LEWIS was the eldest of the 8 children born to Charles LEWIS (1828-1913) & Elizabeth CAMPION (1832-1899). I have little information on 3 of his 5 brothers - more research to do, with common names and many possible men to weed through. Click on CAMPION for a blog post with more information on Elizabeth's family from County Cork, Republic of Eire.

On the 3rd of December 1885, Isaac Charles LEWIS married Alma Jane AIKEN (1858-1954) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her family can claim a United Empire Loyalist in their heritage, Gilbert PURDY, from Ulster county, New York. Alma was married briefly in 1881 to Melancton O. Ancrews, and had one disabled daughter Cora; the marriage was apparently annulled shortly after.

Isaac Charles LEWIS and Alma AIKEN had 7 children (8 with Alma's daughter Cora):

  1.  Arthur Aiken, b 16 Apr 1887, Winnipeg Manitoba, d 8 May 1917,
          Vimy Ridge, France

  2.  Edwin Charles, b 2 Jun 1889, Brandon Manitoba, d 30 Sep 1975,
          Sacramento California; m after 1930 Anna ____; one daughter

  3.  Frederick Isaac, b 8 Jan 1892, Selkirk Manitoba, d 2 Jul 1965, Los Angeles
          California; m 23 Feb 1915 Seattle Washington to Mayre E. Bailey; 3 sons 

  4.  Alma Elizabeth, b 29 Jul 1894, Selkirk Manitoba, d Vancouver BC;
           m (Dr.) Otto De Muth before 1925, Vancouver BC; 2 children

  5.  Evelyn Eliza, b 29 Jul 1898, Selkirk Manitoba, d 30 Oct 1950, Sacramento
           California; m bef 1930 to Herbert Lloyd Phillips

  6.  Mona Ann, b 17 Oct 1898, Selkirk Manitoba, d bef 1906, Brandon Manitoba

  7.  Charles William [ancestor], b 19 Feb 1901, Brandon Manitoba, d 8 Feb
           1952; m est 1933 California to Reba Kathryn RICE (clink for more
            information); 2 sons [b in USA]

On the 1891 Census, he gives his occupation as "Farmer" with one 13 year old boy employee, named William Breen. He and Alma had had 2 boys at this time - Arthur 4yrs old, Edwin 2 years old. In 1901, he and Alma have their 7 children plus Cora. Cora Andrews remains with her mother until she dies in 1953. Isaac is still working as a farmer.

   

An advertisement in the Feb 1905 local newspaper in Manitoba shows him owning/running a grocery and butcher shop, I.C. Lewis & Son.  Possibly the eldest son, Arthur, was working with him, aged 19 years old at the time.

And in 1906, still in Manitoba, he states his occupation as Butcher, making $1800/year.  The family were living at 609 Lowe Avenue, with one boarder, Alice Crossland aged 35, from England. 

They clearly moved soon afterwards, as the 1911 Census shows the family living in Vancouver BC, and his occupation is working in a Butcher shop.  Home address at that time was 1842 West 5th Avenue. Both Arthur and Edwin are not living with the family at this time. Arthur is in Comox BC working as a Chainman to a surveyor; Edwin was apparently living in Vancouver BC, although not verified.

By the 1921 Census, Isaac was 65, retired, living with wife Alma, stepdaughter Cora, plus youngest son, Charles [ancestor]. Home address was  342 East 8th Avenue, Vancouver BC. Over the next decades, all sons are living in the USA, married, both daughters married - one in BC, one in USA.  

Isaac died 17 Apr 1937, aged 81 years,  and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery - which indeed has a beautiful mountain view of the North Shore mountains. His wife Alma lived to 11 Dec 1954, aged 96. Cora died  in 1953, the year before her mother died. There is no gravestone for either Cora or Alma, although both are buried there. Photo of his flat gravestone above. Note it states he was born in Bath Ontario - wish every gravestone had such nice genealogical details!  

                                                        

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If any of these people are also your ancestors, I am happy to share what I have about their families and ancestors as well. You can best contact me at calewisATtelusDOTnet as Blogger is not allowing me to reply to any comments on my posts.  

 

52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS, #24: Alma Jane AIKEN, Ontario Canada

Following the challenge of writing 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, issued by Amy Johnson Crow, here is my 24th installment, Alma Jane AIKEN, my ex-husband's paternal grandmother, our children's great-grandmother.

Alma Jane was born 28 May 1858 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada (date on 1891 Census). Unfortunately the only thing I know about her parents - from her first marriage registration - is that her father was John - or possibly Robert John AIKEN; her mother was listed as Eliza Jane [other research shows possible surname of BAKER].  So far I have not been able to verify either of her parents, nor find them on the 1851/52 Census. Much more work to do here, but there are certainly clues.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Alma Jane married for the first time to Melancton Odell (or Odella) Andrews, 24 Nov 1881, aged 23 years old, son of John and Ellen Andrews.  Witnesses were Frances Aiken of Collinsby, and Robert E. Aiken, Collinsby; likely they are both relatives, possibly siblings.  [This place is Collins Bay, part of Kingston, Ontario.]  

Her first husband's name is very unusual. There is one other "Walter Odell Andrews" individual I have seen in my searches; that person was b. in Michigan of an English-born father, but I'm not certain of the connection - if any. Still, it's an interesting coincidence, particularly as I've found a Walter Andrews with a sibling "Odle M. Andrews", father John. Doesn't that seem like a possible series of crumbs to research?

Her first marriage seems not to have lasted past the birth of their first child, Cora May Odella Andrews on 31 Aug 1882.  Cora May was born in Oxford, Ontario.  Cora apparently suffered from epilepsy during her lifetime, and may have been mildly mentally handicapped. From the Census records, and city directories, she lived with her Lewis family all her life, dying the year before her widowed mother, Alma. 

I did not find a divorce record, but apparently Alma Jane AIKEN Andrews moved with her daughter, Cora, to Winnipeg after 1882. Possibly she moved with her family members, but I have not completed searching for more information as yet. 

We do know that on 3 Dec 1885 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she married Isaac Charles LEWIS, the eldest son of Charles LEWIS and Eliza/Elizabeth CAMPION. The Lewis family was originally from Bath Ontario (possibly United Empire Loyalists), but moved to Manitoba after 1870.  Isaac opened a butcher store there.

Alma Jane and Isaac had seven children that I have been able to find, all surname Lewis of course:

1. Arthur Aiken , b. 16 Apr 1887, Winnipeg, MB; d. 8 May 1917, [WW1] Vimy Ridge battle, France
2. Edwin C(harles?), b. 2 Jun 1889, Ontario or MB; m. Anna K., d. 30 Sep 1975 Sacramento CA USA; at least one daughter
3. Frederick L., b. 8 Jan 1892, Selkirk, MB; apparently married in California, lived in Redondo Beach region; d. 2 Jul 1965, Los Angeles CA USA; at least 3 children
4. Alma Elizabeth, b. 29 Jul 1894, Selkirk, MB; m. Dr. Otto DeMuth; d. after 1967, Vancouver BC; apparently 3 children
5. Evelyn Eliza, b. 11 May 1896, Selkirk, MB; m. Herbert Lloyd Phillips before 1930; d. 30 Oct 1950, Sacramento, CA USA; children
6. Mona Ann, b. 17 Oct 1898, Selkirk, MB; d. before 1906, Brandon, MB. No information.
7. Charles William* [ancestor], 19 Feb 1901, Brandon, MB; liaison Ada Rice, 1 or 2 children; 2nd liaison or m. Reba Kathryn RICE, about 1933 in California; d. 8 Feb 1952 (complications of surgery), Vancouver BC; two children.

The parents, Isaac and Alma Jane, moved with their children to Vancouver before 1911. Eventually most of the children moved down to California.  Alma Jane's husband, Isaac, died 17 Apr 1937 in Vancouver BC.  She died 11 Dec 1954, in Vancouver BC.  Her last address was apparently 1056 Richelieu Street in Vancouver BC, near Queen Elizabeth Park area (see house on Street view of Google).  Both sons were living in California at time of her death, and her surviving daughter Alma E. DeMuth was living in Vancouver BC.  Cora, her eldest daughter (from first marriage), had died the previous year, having lived with her mother her entire life. Alma Jane is interred in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, but not in the same plot as her husband, nor is there a gravestone that could be found. 

I have no photographs of Alma Jane AIKEN Andrews(1) Lewis(2), nor of her husband, Isaac, which surprises me. Surely, someone in the family has a few photographs -?  Hopefully a relative (or several cousins) reading this post will dig through their old family photograph albums and find photos of either Isaac and/or Alma Jane and their family, which they would be willing to share with me.  I'd love to be able to provide copies of photos to my children. Treasure. They would be definite treasure.  I don't want to take your originals, of course, but any copies would be lovely.

If you have any questions about Alma Jane AIKEN, or have information to share or to correct some of the above details - or photos! - please do not hesitate to contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  I would be so pleased to add more details (Evelyn Lewis Phillips' children, for instance), any stories, any tiny clues.  Any detail would be much appreciated! 

52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS, #8: Charles LEWIS, Canada

Following the challenge of writing 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, issued by Amy Johnson Crow, here is my 8th installment, for Charles LEWIS, my children's 2nd great-grandfather on their father's line.

Charles LEWIS, the 2nd great-grandfather to my children, is reportedly born 4 Oct 1828 in the Village of Bath, Ontario, near Kingston Ontario.  Bath is a lovely village on the shores of Lake Ontario, and was settled by United Empire Loyalists from the new United States. In fact, 3 small villages - as well as other smaller nearby settlements - are to be found in "Loyalist Township": Bath, Amherstview, and Odessa. 

I know very little about Charles' parents. The first Census record I have found is the 1851/2 Canada West Census, which I am relatively certain lists Charles. He is only listed as "C. Lewis", is 24 years old, Single, born in CW (Canada West), and religion is CofE (Church of England). His occupation is Blacksmith, which later shows up as his occupation on the later census records.  Click on the Blacksmith link for interesting details.

By 1861 Census of Ernestown, Lennox & Addington county, Charles is found as married to Elizabeth, 27 yrs of age to his 32 yrs. Ernestown is only a few kilometers west of Bath. Charles & Elizabeth must have been married in approximately 1852 or 1853, as their eldest son, Isaac, is stated to be 7 yrs of age. Two other little boys, UPDATE: Arthur 4 and William 2 yrs of age, make up the rest of the family.  Elizabeth states she is Irish in origin, and born in Ireland; both state their religion as "W. Meth." Wesleyan Methodist.  Charles' occupation is again listed as "BlkSmith".  UPDATE, 2020: Charles & Elizabeth's marriage date: 31 Oct 1854, Bath, Lennox, Ontario, Canada.  

In the 1871 Census of the Village of Bath, Lennox & Addington, Ontario, Charles & Elizabeth are found with all 8 children, all born in Ontario, Charles listed as a Blacksmith once more.  A confusing point is that he is listed as German in origin, born in Ontario, and all the children are also listed as of German origin.  I am fairly certain this is an error of the enumerator. 
Children - eldest, Isaac is the direct ancestor:
 - Isaac Charles [ancestor] b.20 Jul 1855 in Bath ON, m. 3 Dec 1885 in
     Winnipeg MB to Alma Jane AIKEN, d. 17 Apr 1937 in Vancouver BC
-  Arthur b. abt 1857, d. after 1881 (ON)
-  William b. abt 1859, d. after 1881 (ON)
-  Ellen Arminia b. Feb 1860, m. James Carrick Miller 1 Dec 1887 in Elton
      MB, d. 1945 in Victoria BC
-  Frederick Allen b. 25 Apr 1863, m. Isabella Lockeridge 13 Jun 1894
       Brandon MB, d. after 1937 likely in Brandon MB  UPDATE: 28 Dec 1946
       Brandon MB
-  Richard b. abt 1865; not found after 1881 (ON)
-  Charles b. abt 1868; not found after 1891 (MB)
-  Eva Maria b. 2 Jun 1870, d. 15 Mar 1948 in Vancouver BC; m. Dr. Alexander
      C. Davidson 20 Jun 1894 Brandon MB, 

Charles & Elizabeth plus the children are found again in the 1881 Census of the Village of Bath, living next to a Richard Campion - one of the clues I found for his wife's name [her brother].

1891 finds Charles & Elizabeth living north of Winnipeg in Selkirk Manitoba, with two children, Frederick & Eva, and two of their boys, Richard and Charles, living next to them. Charles is still working as a Blacksmith. His older son Frederick is listed as a Merchant, his two younger sons are listed as being Farmers.

Charles' wife, Elizabeth, apparently died between 1891 and 1901, as in the 1901 Census he is shown as Widowed, living with his youngest child, Eva, and her family (A.C. Davidson), in Brandon, MB  UPDATE: Elizabeth died 10 Aug 1899 in Brandon Manitoba.

The 1906 Prairie Provinces Census shows him living in Brandon with his older daughter, Ellen and her family (J.C. Miller).   Also in 1911 Census, he is still living with Ellen and her family.  By this time, several of his children had moved to British Columbia, including the eldest, Isaac.

In late 1912 to early 1913, Charles came to Vancouver and Victoria in BC to visit his two daughters, and he died in Saanich near Victoria BC, 16 Feb 1913.  He was apparently moved back to Brandon, MB for burial, likely where his wife was buried. 

There is a story in the LEWIS family that there is a Loyalist ancestor - and looking at Charles' birth in Ontario, particularly in Bath, seems to support that somewhat.  Perhaps his father? or his grandfather? or through the mother or grandmother's families?  I haven't been able to get back another generation at this point.  In addition, the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada doesn't seem to have a connection, as yet, through the Lewis surname.  Still, a clue is a clue, and I need to keep digging as best I can and see if I can prove or disprove the story. UPDATE: UEL through Lewis-Aiken line to Gilbert PURDY .

If you have any questions, comments to make or other information to share, please do so below! I appreciate any comments.  I can be contacted through calewis at telus dot net.