William Crawford Lewis

William Crawford Lewis was born Nov 24, 1830 in Franklin, Kentucky to Benjamin Franklin and Joannah Ryon Lewis. William is a Pioneer of Richmond. William was a veteran of the Indian Wars.

History

Soon after William was born, his parents were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, moving to Illinois in 1836 and Caldwell County, Missouri the following year. On Oct 30, 1838, the Lewis family was part of the tragedy of the Hawn's Mill massacre. William's father was killed in the attack.

After the attack, the remaining members of the Lewis family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. On Jan 16, 1846, William's mother died, leaving William an orphan at 16. Just before her death, William's mother asked her sister and husband to adopt William and his siblings and take them to Utah. Uncle Beason Lewis and Aunt Elizabeth Ryon, though they were not members of the Church at the time, took the children in and began preparations to move west. The Lewis family joined the Daniel Spencer/Ira Eldredge Company on June 17, 1847 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 22.

William married Sarah Jane Veach on Feb 27, 1853 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Soon after their marriage, the family moved to San Bernardino, California to help fortify the local fort from Native Americans. The Lewis' moved back to Utah during the Utah War.

In 1860, the Lewis' moved to Richmond along with Uncles and Aunts Beason and Elizabeth, and Neriah and Martha.

Indian Wars Service

On July 23, 1860, William was appointed Captain of the Home Guard of Richmond.1.1 With his company, they marched to Smithfield and fought a battle with some Natives on July 23. He also served as a scout and on patrol. He was released from active duty on Sep 2, 1860.1

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. William was a member of the Cavalry.

Member of the City Council (1872 - ?)

William C. Lewis served as a member of the City Council from a unknown number of years.

Epilogue