Source:  Hardesty, Henry H.  Hardesty's Historical and Geographical
Encyclopedia.  New York: H.H. Hardesty and Company, 1884.
Rpt. in West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia.  Ed. Jim Comstock.
Richwood: Comstock, 1974.

JOHN W. LEWIS - born January 23, 1834, in Blue Sulphur district, a son of George 
and Susan (HOCKMAN) LEWIS, in this district, April 18, 1861, was united in bands
of wedlock with Ruth M. HUFFMAN, who was born in Blue Sulphur district. 
September 5, 1837, a daughter of Enos and Jane (GEORGE) HUFFMAN. The further 
history of her parents will be found recorded in the personal sketches of her 
brothers, E. E. and S. R. HUFFMAN, in this volume. The grandparents of John W.
LEWIS were among the earliest of the settlers in this county, and both his 
father and mother were born in the county. his father in 1808. George LEWIS 
died in 1872, and Susan, his widow, is still a resident in Blue Sulphur district. 
Her father was Jacob HOCKMAN, who was of German origin, who came to this county 
from the Shenandoah Valley, bringing Mary, his young wife, with him. They have 
long since passed from the scene of their earthly labors. George W. LEWIS was a 
soldier of the Confederacy, brother of John W. He was killed in the retreat at 
battle of Droop Mountain. Caleb V., another brother, was in the same service, 
and was basely assassinated by some Northern stragglers from the army, who 
pretended to surrender, and in handing over their guns shot at their captors 
and he was killed. Edna A., born March 19, 1862, and George W., born January 
11, 1864, both at home, are the children of Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS. John W. LEWIS
owns and farms 300 acres, lying on Muddy Creek bottom, in Blue Sulphur district, 
and he receives his mail at Palestine, Greenbrier County, West Virginia.

Submitted by Valerie Crook, <vfcrook @trellis.net>, 1999.