LEWIS LAVENDER is a son of George Lavender, a native of Virginia, who was
brought up on a farm, and received but a limited education. Coming to
Illinois in 1828 he settled in Hardin County. Selecting a tract of United
States lead land he opened and improved a farm, upon which he resided until
his death. He was married to Elizabeth Shoemaker, daughter of James
Shoemaker, a native of Virginia, by whom he had seven children, three of
whom are still living; Mahala, wife of Franklin Jackson, living at
Harrisburgh, Ill.; Harriet, widow of John Brinkley, and Lewis, the subject
of this sketch.
Our subject was born in Botetourt County, Va., September 22, 1814, and was
brought up on his father's farm, securing his early education in a
subscription school, which was taught in a house built of logs, which had a
dirt floor and fence rails for seats. The window in this schoolhouse
consisted of a piece of paper stretched across an opening made by cutting
out a portion of one of the logs at one side. not withstanding all the
disadvantages of his youth he secured a fair education, and came to Hardin
County, Ill., with his father in 1828, where he worked on the farm until
1840, was then elected Sheriff of Hardin County, serving in that capacity
seventeen years, after which he was elected County Commissioner, served one
year and then resigned. he was married February 8, 1849, to Inda Whitesides,
daughter of John Whitesides, of Georgia. By this marriage he had eight
children, seven of whom are now living: Kate, living at home with her
parents; George, single and living at home; Josephine, wife of S.S. Barger,
living at Harrisburgh, Ill.; James, at home; John M., superintendent of the
rock quarry at Shetlerville, Ill.; Adda, single and living at home, and
Charlie, living in Hardin County. The subject of this brief sketch always
votes with the Democratic party. Although he is now seventy-eight years old
he can see to read the finest print without glasses. he has always been
successful as a business man and financier, and as a consequence he is one
of the wealthiest men in the county. [1898. The Biographical Review of
Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties, Illinois, Chicago, Biograhical
Publishing Co. 339]
Submitted by Wanda (Patton) Reed
| Saline | Gallatin | Union KY |
| Pope |
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| Livingston KY Crittenden KY | ||
