John Navin Lewis (1809 - 1879)

Born 23 Feb 1809 in Northumberland, Saratoga, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Esther (Satterlee) Lewis — married 9 May 1836 in Elmira, Chemung, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 7 Apr 1879 at age 70 in Lodi, Columbia, Wisconsin, United States

Biography

He was the first Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Lodi and he had a farm near the Mt. Pleasant Cem where he is buried

First Presbyterian Church, of Lodi, WI In 1851 the House Mission Board after much urging persuaded the Rev John N. Lewis to take a letter of introduction to Mr. James O. Eaton of Lodi. The description that Mr. Lewis had on this cross-road hamlet was most dingy so he was most happily surprised at the beauty of the place. He preached his first sermon here in Oct. 1851. There was no society to accept or reject- to make a call or to pledge support. Only two individuals to decide these matters and in a half hour talk with Mr. John B. Dwinnell and Mr. J.O. Eaton, it was decided to try out regular preaching in this place. The only support that could be relied upon was a very small pledge from the Home Mission Board and Mr. Eaton's promise to raise what he could- perhaps $100.00 , perhaps 100 dimes. It turned out to be $100.00. In December the Missionary, with many dubious forebodings as to the outcome, brought his family to Lodi. The year following in 1852 in a little room over a carpenter shop on the Columbus Road, the Presbyterian Church of Lodi was organized by the Rev. Lewis with ten charter members,,, James O. Eaton, Augustus P. Smith,, Eliza Anna Smith,, Robert Mann,, Harriet Mann,,Esther S. Lewis,, Eliza Steele,, Sophia Partridge ,, and Sara Strrangeway

John Lewis due to failing health he left the ministry in 1851 and the family moved to Sun Prairie. WI and then to Lodi and was pastor for 6 years.

Sources

Historical Album, Lodi, Wisconsin 1973

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Tayler Mccormick for starting this profile.

Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Tayler and others.