Person Page

     Maggie E. Lewis was born on 21 December 1861 in Munfordville, Hart County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard. Maggie E. Lewis and Harry Rhodes O'Bryan, son of William W. O'Bryan and Margaret Ballard, were united in marriage by Rev. R. D. Miller on 6 December 1883 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.¹ Maggie E. Lewis died in 1939 in California She is buried at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, California. Attached is a photo of the O'Bryan family gravestone.
     

Here we see an old photo dating to about 1890/1900 of Harry and Maggie Lewis O'Bryan out for a ride in their horse and buggy in greater downtown Pacific Grove!²

Maggie E. Lewis appeared on the census of 1920 at Berkeley, Alameda County, California, with her husband Harry as head of household, and her daughter Edith.³

The year 1932 was terrifically sad and tragic for Maggie and her daughter Mabel as they lost not only Harry, but Edith and Garvin as well.

     John Porter Lewis was born on 4 October 1831 in Rocky Hill, Warren-Edmonson County line, Kentucky.¹ He was the son of Thomas B. Lewis and Emily Wallace. John Porter Lewis married Isabella Sherard, daughter of William Sherard and Jane Garvin, on 30 November 1854 in Munfordville, Hart County, Kentucky. Isabel Lewis wrote in her Bible under marriages: "John P. Lewis of Rocky Hill & Isabella Sherard of Munfordsville were united in marriage at Dr. Jones'es by Rev. William Rice, November 30th 1854."^2,3 John Porter Lewis died on 17 November 1862 in Smith's Grove, Warren County, Kentucky, at age 31 years, 1 month and 13 days. He was buried in the family plot at the edge of Smith's Grove (see burial note below).⁴
     
John was buried in the family plot where today, according to information shared by D. Hugh Puckett, "Their graves were in a cemetery surrounded by a very nice stone wall a few years ago. Since that time the farmer who owned the land has allowed the walls to be bulldozed away and the stones are now down and in weeds. I haven't been past it in a year or so and wouldn't be surprised to see that he had done away with it altogether and planted it in corn or soy beans.⁵"

     Isabella Sherard was born on 10 August 1830 in Canada.¹ She was the daughter of William Sherard and Jane Garvin. Isabella Sherard married John Porter Lewis, son of Thomas B. Lewis and Emily Wallace, on 30 November 1854 in Munfordville, Hart County, Kentucky. Isabel Lewis wrote in her Bible under marriages: "John P. Lewis of Rocky Hill & Isabella Sherard of Munfordsville were united in marriage at Dr. Jones'es by Rev. William Rice, November 30th 1854."^2,3 Isabella Sherard died on 17 August 1909 at age 79 years and 7 days.
     
Marriage and Birth info for Isabella Sherard Lewis family is taken from her Bible, and according to a note from Dorothy Bean Johnson (one of Isabel's great-grandchildren), the Bible "was a gift to Isabel Lewis (Dandeen's mother) from H.R. O'Bryan. Date in the Bible is 1894." H. R. O'Bryan of course married Isabel's daughter Maggie (known by her grandchildren as "Dandeen").

It appears she was known as "Isabel" rather than "Isabella." Some sources mention she was born in Canada (see brother William and her parents' data about this as it appears she was born in Canada), but she wrote in her Bible that she was born in Kentucky.^4,1

At the moment, it's not clear where Isabel was living when she died in 1909. Her husband John had died in 1862 in Smith's Grove, Kentucky. Did she stay there or perhaps move back to Munfordville?

There is a very short newsclipping with no identifcation of where or for which newspaper it was written of the "Funeral of Mrs. Lewis" which says that "the funeral of the late Isabel Lewis was held yesterday afternoon from the family residence on Granite street, Rev. Dr. J. H. N. Williams officiating. A large number of friends were in attendance and there was a large number of floral offerings.

Undertaker J. K. Paul will ship the remains to Ontario, Cal., this evening. The body will be accompanied by Mrs. H.R. O'Bryan and Miss Mabel O'Bryan, daughter and grand-daughter of the deceased."

Maggie and Mabel were most probably living at that time, along with Harry O'Bryan, in Pacific Grove. This conclusion drawn because on the 1910 Census Harry listed himself as a real estate agent in Pacific Grove. Perhaps Isabel was buried in Pacific Grove where Maggie, Harry and two of their children are buried.⁵

     Thomas B. Lewis was born on 30 May 1809 in Barren County, Kentucky.¹ He was the son of Simeon Lewis and Sarah Campbell. Thomas B. Lewis married Emily Wallace on 11 February 1830 in Warren County, Kentucky.² Thomas B. Lewis died in 1899 in Smith's Grove, Warren County, Kentucky, at age 89 years. According to notes in family records, he died in his 90th year which would be about 1899. "He's buried in the family cemetery in the edge of Smith's Grove, Kentucky which is on the home place of Emily."^3,4
     
D. Hugh Puckett (2004) relates more information regarding the family plot, telling the compiler that "Their graves were in a cemetery surrounded by a very nice stone wall a few years ago. Since that time the farmer who owned the land has allowed the walls to be bulldozed away and the stones are now down and in weeds. I haven't been past it in a year or so and wouldn't be surprised to see that he had done away with it altogether and planted it in corn or soy beans.⁵"

     Emily Wallace was born between 1807 and 1808 in Kentucky. She married Thomas B. Lewis, son of Simeon Lewis and Sarah Campbell, on 11 February 1830 in Warren County, Kentucky.¹ Emily Wallace died in 1890 in Edmonson County, Kentucky. O'Bryan family notes say "Grandmother Lewis Died in her 83rd year." From her Will it appears she probably died end of 1889 or early 1890 as her Will, written in 1887, went to probate 3 Feb 1890 [See attached copy of Will by clicking here].^2,3

     Thomas Jefferson Lewis was born on 15 September 1855. He was the son of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard. Thomas Jefferson Lewis and Ellen G. D. Homewood were united in marriage by Chas. D. Merrill on 3 July 1888 at Ontario, California.

     William P. Lewis was born on 16 January 1857. He was the son of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard.

     Mary Jane Lewis was born on 28 December 1859. She was the daughter of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard. Mary Jane Lewis and William M. Hart were united in marriage by Rev. Berger on 4 April 1883 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. Mary Jane Lewis died on 25 March 1899 at age 39 years, 2 months and 25 days.

     William M. Hart and Mary Jane Lewis were united in marriage by Rev. Berger, daughter of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard, on 4 April 1883 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. William M. Hart died on 1 June 1903.

     Ellen G. D. Homewood and Thomas Jefferson Lewis were united in marriage by Chas. D. Merrill, son of John Porter Lewis and Isabella Sherard, on 3 July 1888 at Ontario, California.