Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 505-506] ROBERT A. LEWIS, one of Cherokee County's excellent citizens and enterprising business men, is the proprietor of the Green Hill Nursery and Apiary. "The man who causes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before is a benefactor of the race," and as one views the grounds and fields of the man of whom we are now writing, he is duly impressed with this trite saying. Mr. LEWIS is a native of New York, born in Erie County, at the town of Con- cord, April 25, 836. He is the fifth of a family of seven, and his parents were ORAN and NANCY (NICHOLS) LEWIS. The father was born in Vermont, May 11, 1803, and the mother was also born in the year 1803. ROBERT A. removed with his parents to McHenry County, Illinois, in 1841. His father was a millwright by trade, and followed that business in Illinois; in 1852 he removed to Independence, Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his days; his death occurred at Quasqueton, Iowa, in April, 1884. Robert attended the common schools, and also availed himself of the faci- lities found at Rockton and Belvidere. He then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked several years. In 1863 he embarked in the mercantile business at Quasqueton, Iowa, continuing there until 1872, when he came to Cherokee; previous to this time he made a trip through the Territories, spending five months on the Columbia River. Upon his removal to Cherokee he worked at his trade, but in 1873 started what is known as the Green Hill Nursery, situated one-half mile south from the city of Cherokee. At first his attention was turned to the production of ornamental and fruit trees, but later he engaged extensively in growing small fruits in connection with the nursery business pro- per. His trade has always been large, and his products have been among the choicest. Besides being extensively engaged in the nur- sery business Mr. LEWIS has come to be one of the leading apiarists of the county. The location of his bees for the production of choice honey is excellent; he employs all the modern methods, using among other appliances the celebrated Root hives; one of the peculiarities of his plan is the protection given to bees during the severe winter months, when the top of the hive is removed, the top boxes of honey taken out, and a pillow of chaff put in their place; this at once equalizes the temperature and also absorbs the moisture. There are 100 hives. Mr. LEWIS breeds from Italian bees and keeps bee-keepers' supplies for sale. His farm contains 133 acres, one-sixth of which is in timber and nursery. His nursery business is for sale. Mr. LEWIS was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss MARY A. FIRMAN, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of ALVA G. FIRMAN. Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS have three daughters: LUELLA, wife of W. P. GOLDIE, editor of the Cherokee Democrat; CARRIE O. and MERTIE E. In 1879 our subject erected one of the finest residences in the county, upon the elevated ground across the Little Sioux River, south of the city. The location and arrange- ment of the grounds are truly beautiful, and the premises are the first object of attraction to the passenger who comes to Cherokee by rail from the East. Politically Mr. LEWIS is a stanch Republican, and is also a radical advocate of temperance, believing in total prohibition. He was postmaster at Quasqueton, Iowa, under General Grant's administration as President, from 1867 to 1872. He is a consistent member of the first Congregational Church of Cherokee. He is comfortably situated in a financial point of view, and has the respect and admiration of all his fellow-citizens. These with the blessings of a good family usually constitute happiness, and happiness is true success! ===========================================================================