Edith Dona Reed

#59, (29 October 1868 - 7 February 1933)
RelationshipMother of William David Lewis
Father*John Harvey Reed Jr (1838 - 1920)
Mother*Jane Ann Johnson1 (1841 - 1919)

Family

James Robert Thompson Lewis b. 1861, d. 1938
Children 1.William David Lewis+ (1889 - 1966)
 2.John Thompson Lewis (1891 - 1977)
 3.Jennie Lewis (1892 - 1895)
 4.James Herschel Lewis+ (1894 - 1969)
 5.Edith Dona Lewis+ (1896 - 1939)
 6.Eva Belle Lewis+ (1898 - 1989)
Her married name was Lewis.2 
Birth*29 October 1868She was born on 29 October 1868 at Carmi, White Co., IllinoisG.3 
6 June 1870She appeared on the census of 6 June 1870 in the household of John Harvey Reed Jr and Jane Ann Johnson at Franklin Co., IllinoisG, as Edith D, age 1, b. IL; nei. Demetrius and Martha Johnson.4 
30 July 1880She appeared on the census of 30 July 1880 in the household of John Harvey Reed Jr and Jane Ann Johnson at Eastern Twp., Franklin Co., IllinoisG; [as of Jun 1]; neis. George and Marinda Brady, Nathaniel and Ruth Smith.5
Marriage*15 March 1888She married James Robert Thompson Lewis, son of Thompson Price Lewis and Elizabeth Jane Green, on 15 March 1888 at Reed residence, Akin, Franklin Co., IllinoisG; Edith Dona and James were half-first cousins - Edith Dona was the gr. Dau. of Mary Morris by her first husband, James a gr. son by her second husband.6,7,8,9 
18 June 1900She and James Robert Thompson Lewis appeared on the census of 18 June 1900 at Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG; neis. Nathaniel Lewis and Thompson P Lewis.10
19 April 1910She and James Robert Thompson Lewis appeared on the census of 19 April 1910 at Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG; (nei. brother Edward.)11
7 January 1920She and James Robert Thompson Lewis appeared on the census of 7 January 1920 at Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG; Herschel Lewis and Ellsworth Lewis on same sheet.12
7 April 1930She and James Robert Thompson Lewis appeared on the census of 7 April 1930 at Caborn Road, Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG; nei. Elwood Lewis in hh of Louis and Frieda Wade as a servant.13 
Death*7 February 1933She died on 7 February 1933 at Mount Vernon, Posey Co., IndianaG, at age 64.14,15,16 
Burial*circa 9 February 1933She was buried circa 9 February 1933 at Calvin Cemetery, Black Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG.15,17,16 
From Patricia Cannon Childs: "My mother, Rosemary [no middle name] Zuspann Cannon, who still resides in Evansville, IN. She has the death notice for Edith Dona [maiden name unknown] Lewis from February 8, 1933. That is the date of the funeral, not necessarily the official date of death. I have not researched that. Services were held at Union Church in Marrs Township, and she was buried at Calvin Cemetery, Posey County.

"I remember visiting the cemetery with my mom on several occasions. It is somewhat difficult to find, but is still maintained. The notice listed the following survivors: Ethel Derrington [my mom lists her as a "step-sister by grandfather's 1st marriage"] William D. Lewis, John T. Lewis, Herschel D. Lewis, Eva Belle Crunk, Edith D. [Dona] Zuspann. Edith D. Zuspann was my grandmother, although I never met her. She died when my mother was 18. My mother is a wealth of information about her and her childhood. Perhaps we will have a chance to visit and share some anecdotal history.

"What my mother remembers about William D. is that he married Nell [doesn't remember] and that they had Fred, Orville, and Mary. They lived in Quincy , IL, where he was associated with a paper mill. After Edith Lewis died they moved to Coshocton, OH to another paper mill. Uncle John took the Zuspanns to visit them there when my mother was a young girl.

"RE: Edith Dona Reed death: I'll have Mom look in the Bible to verify: Birth July 30, 1896, Death February 7, 1933. I remember Mom telling me that Edith had almost died on a previous occasion. Her brothers helped her husband Albert to keep a vigil, as she hovered near death. They wrapped her legs in lambs wool and camphor, flipping her feet to keep her from slipping into unconsciousness. Her heart had been weakened by a terrible infection earlier in her life -- at a time when antibiotics were not available. She should probably not have had my mother. It was a terrible strain on her system. She was told NEVER to become pregnant again -- at risk of death. At a time when birth control was crude or non-existent, this must have dictated an end to the more passionate side of the young couple's relationship, but Albert remained dedicated to Edith until her death.
I will check the records the next time I go back to E'ville. I could make copies for you. Anything else you'd like me to look up? I guess I'd have to go over to Mt. Vernon. Is that your experience? By the way, the name is DONA, not Donna. It is not a typo. It is pronounced DOE-nuh. Do you have any information about Edith's parents: William R. and Edith Dona Reed Lewis? When did the families come to this country and from where?

"By the way, where are you living these days? How are we related according to your records? Does your family have a reunion? My Mom is 80. She is an only child, born October 2, 1920 to Albert [no middle name] Zuspann and Edith Dona Lewis Zuspann. She spent time on the family farms between Evansville and Mt. Vernon as a child. She and her Mom & Dad lived in Mt. Vernon at her Grandmother Zuspann's house on Main Street for a year during the Depression in order to save money. She is familiar with the day-to-day exper ience in Mt. Vernon, Posey County and E'ville if you need context."18 
ChartsAncestors of William D. Lewis

Citations

  1. [S46] John C. Leffel, History of Posey County (Leffel) (Chicago IL: Standard Publishing Company, 1913).
  2. [S47] Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900, online Ancestry.com, Name:      James R. Lewis
    Gender:      Male
    Spouse Name:      Edith Domie Reed
    Marriage Date:      Mar 15, 1888
    Marriage County:      Franklin
    Comments:      This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1005304 - 1005310.
  3. [S5] 1900 U.S. Federal Census. Donia [Reed] Lewis, b. IL Oct 1868.
  4. [S18] 1870 U.S. Federal Census. John (30), farmer, b. VA; Jane A (27), b. IN.
  5. [S17] 1880 U.S. Federal Census. John H (43), farming, b. and parents b. VA, cannot read or write; Jane A (39), b. IN, father b. NY, mother b. KY.
  6. [S763] Illinois Marriage License No. 1838 issued to James Robert Thompson Lewis and Edith Dona Reed, photocopy of license and event: No. 1838; license to J. R. Lewis of Posey Co. IN (age 26) and Donnia Reed of Akin Franklin Co. IL (age 19), issued by J. P. Harrison, county clerk, Benton, 13 Mar 1888; marr. performed by J. R. Miller, Minister of the Gospel, at bride's father's 15 Mar 2013, uniting Doni Reed and J. R. Lewis. Photocopy from Dave Dobill, Franklin Co. Clerk and Recorder, Jan 2012.
  7. [S689] Illinois State Archives, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900, online http://cyberdriveillinois.com/, two entries for Franklin Co., 15 Mar 1888: J R Lewis and Donna Reed, vol. 00D, p. 295; James R Lewis and Dovie Reed, vol. 001, p. 146.
  8. [S47] Illinois Marriages 1851-1900, online Ancestry.com, Name: James R. Lewis; Spouse Name: Edith Domie Reed; Marriage Date: Mar 15, 1888; Marriage County: Franklin; Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1005304 - 1005310.
  9. [S46] John C. Leffel, History of Posey Co. (Leffel), p. 327: "married Miss Edith Donna Reed, daughter of John H. and Jane A. (Johnson) Reed, of Akin, Ill."
  10. [S5] 1900 U.S. Federal Census. James (31), b. Oct 1862, farmer; Donie (31), b. Oct 1868, 6 children, 5 living; m. 12 yrs.
  11. [S8] 1910 U.S. Federal Census. James R (49), farmer; "Donie E" (42), 6 children, 5 living; m. 20 yrs.
  12. [S11] 1920 U.S. Federal Census. James (58), farmer; Edith D (51).
  13. [S7] 1930 U.S. Federal Census. James R (68), m. at 27, farmer; Edith D (61), m. at 19.
  14. [S1672] Indiana Death Certificates 1899-2011/2017, Indiana State Board of Health, Death Certificates, 1900–2011, 1933, Roll 3, img. 45/3004. Reg. No. 6043, Local No. 8. Edith Donia Lewis, wife of James R Lewis, res. R.R. 2, Mount Vernon, Marrs Twp., Posey Co. IN; b. IL 20 Oct 1867, dau. of John H Reed and Jane Ann Johnson, birthplaces unk.; d. at res. 7 Feb 1933, age 65y 3m 17d, acute dilation of heart; inf. Eva Belle Crunk; bur. Calvin Cemetery 10 Feb 1933, online Ancestry.com.
  15. [S74] Charles Browning, compiler, Browning Genealogy Database, online http://browning.evcpl.lib.in.us/ (Evansville Indiana: Browning Funeral Home), Edith Donia Lewis, Mt. Vernon, IN, d. 7 Feb 1933, at home; husb. James R.; daus. Mrs. Eva Belle Crunk (Mt. Vernon), Mrs. Ethel Derrington (Evansville), Mrs. Edith D. Zspann [sic] (Evansville); sons John T Lewis (Evansville), William (Quincy IL), Herschel (Mt. Vernon); member Union Church, Marrs Tshp.; bur. Calvion [sic] Cemetery.
  16. [S253] Patricia Cannon Childs postings, online boards.ancestry.com/authorposts.aspx, "31 Jan 2001. My mother, Rosemary [no middle name] Zuspann Cannon, who still resides in Evansville, IN. She has the death notice for Edith Dona [maiden name unknown] Lewis from February 8, 1933. That is the date of the funeral, not necessarily the official date of death. I have not researched that. Services were held at Union Church in Marrs Township, and she was buried at Calvin Cemetery, Posey County.
    I remember visiting the cemetery with my mom on several occasions. It is somewhat difficult to find, but is still maintained. The notice listed the following survivors: Ethel Derrington [my mom lists her as a "step-sister by grandfather's 1st marriage"] William D. Lewis, John T. Lewis, Herschel D. Lewis, Eva Belle Crunk, Edith D. [Dona] Zuspann. Edith D. Zuspann was my grandmother, although I never met her. She died when my mother was 18. My mother is a wealth of information about her and her childhood. Perhaps we will have a chance to visit and share some anecdotal history.
    What my mother remembers about William D. is that he married Nell [doesn't remember] and that they had Fred, Orville, and Mary. They lived in Quincy, IL, where he was associated with a paper mill. After Edith Lewis died they moved to Coshocton, OH to another paper mill. Uncle John took the Zuspann's to visit them there when my mother was a young girl."
  17. [S49] Calvin (aka Colvin, Crunk) Cemetery, Posey Co. IN [Findagrave], online findagrave.com, see exhibit, grave marker.
  18. [S253] Patricia Cannon Childs, online boards.ancestry.com/authorposts.aspx.