William Hendricks Lewis

William Hendricks Lewis was born to Neriah and Rebecca Hendricks Lewis on Oct 14, 1837, in Macoupin County, Illinois. He was one of the first Settlers of Richmond in 1859. Lewiston, Utah was named in William's honor after the Church ordered him to move to the area to settle.

Early Life

William joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1846 when his uncle, David Lewis, taught it to him and his family. They then moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. He then entered Utah in 1851.1

While living in Utah, William worked on his father's farm.1 In 1856, he married Martha Petty and moved to his own farm.1

Life in Richmond

In July of 1859, the Lewis family moved to Cache Valley and settled in now Richmond.1 On Oct 31, 1859, the Hendricks family settled permanently in Richmond and farmed 50-60 tons of hay his first season.

Lewiston, Utah

In 1872, William was asked to move to The Last Chance, Utah as Bishop and to help the struggling settlers of the area. Earlier names of the area were Poverty Flat and Starvation Corner because of how difficult the area was to settle. He was not the only member of his family to be called there, as in 1877 his cousin William Dorris Hendricks was called to be his counselor. The settlement was later named after William Hendricks Lewis for his successful work, naming it Lewiston.2

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