LEWMAN, Moses T. - Putnam

LEWMAN, MOSES T., the present Sheriff of Putnam Co., Ind., first saw the light in Clarke Co., Ind., July 21, 1832, and is the son of John LEWMAN, who was born in South Carolina in September, 1800, and Mary A. (GRISAMORE) LEWMAN, born in Pennsylvania July in 1805; John LEWMAN was the son of Moses and Elizabeth LEWMAN, natives of South Carolina, and of Scotch descent. Mary A. GRISAMORE was the daughter of George and Sarah GRISAMORE, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; John LEWMAN moved from South Carolina to what is now Clarke Co., Ind., in 1819, where he was married to Mary A. GRISAMORE in 1829. The subject of this sketch was the second of a family of eight children, six now living; he left his home in Clarke County when in his sixteenth year, going to Louisville, KY., where he learned the trade of bricklaying. After learning the business, he worked one year as a journeyman, then began contracting and building "on his own hook. " In 1854, he settled in Gosport, Owen Co., Ind., and carried on the building business until the spring of 1861, when he moved to Logan Co., Ill., and purchased a farm on which he remained one summer. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, of which he became Captain, the noted "Bob" INGERSOLL being Colonel. He served three years, when he returned to Indiana, settling, finally in Greencastle in 1865. He was married February 25, 1858, to Miss Naomi L. CONOVER, the daughter of Garrett and Susan CONOVER, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. LEWMAN was born in Baltimore, Md., December 14, 1835; they have had seven children, to wit, Leonora S., Hattie S. (deceased), John Burel, Harry L., Leon De, Winnie, Clair and Bessie C. Mr. LEWMAN is the contractor and builder of the new Asbury University, and was of all other fine buildings of Greencastle up to 1876, beside many prominent public and private buildings in other parts of this State. His father is one of the large farmers of Clarke County. His mother was killed by lightning in 1844. In 1874, he was Chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee; in 1875, Door-keeper of the House of Representatives; in 1876, he was elected Sheriff of Putnam County, and re-elected in 1878, which position he at this time occupies. See portrait in group of county officials.