Edith Dona Lewis1

#65, (30 July 1896 - 16 August 1939)
RelationshipSister of William David Lewis
Father*James Robert Thompson Lewis (1861 - 1938)
Mother*Edith Dona Reed (1868 - 1933)

Family

Albert Zuspann b. 1895, d. 1962
Child 1.Rosemary Zuspann+ (1920 - 2006)
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."2 
Her married name was Zuspann. 
Birth*30 July 1896She was born on 30 July 1896 at Posey Co., IndianaG.3 
18 June 1900She appeared on the census of 18 June 1900 in the household of James Robert Thompson Lewis and Edith Dona Reed at Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG, age 3, b. Jul 1896; neis. Nathaniel Lewis and Thompson P Lewis.4
19 April 1910She appeared on the census of 19 April 1910 in the household of James Robert Thompson Lewis and Edith Dona Reed at Marrs Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG, age 11; (nei. brother Edward.)5
Marriage*19 October 1919She married Albert Zuspann, son of Adam Zuspann and Rosena Myer, on 19 October 1919 at Posey Co., IndianaG.6 
6 January 1920She and Albert Zuspann appeared on the census of 6 January 1920 at 227 Bray Avenue, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., IndianaG.7 
9 April 1930She and Albert Zuspann appeared on the census of 9 April 1930 at 220 West Oregon Street, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., IndianaG; also Alice Espenlaub (23), servant.8 
Death*16 August 1939She died on 16 August 1939 at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., IndianaG, at age 43.9,10 
Burial*19 August 1939She was buried on 19 August 1939 at Bellefontaine Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Black Twp., Posey Co., IndianaG.11 

Citations

  1. [S48] Gerald Ray Lewis Family Tree, Gerald Ray Lewis, owner, online Ancestry.com, Edith Dona Lewis; Birth July 30, 1896 in Posey Co, Indiana, USA; Death 1939 in IN.
  2. [S253] Patricia Cannon Childs postings, online boards.ancestry.com/authorposts.aspx.
  3. [S117] Indiana, WPA Birth Index, 1880-1920, online Ancestry.com, Female Lewis, b. Posey Co. 30 Jul 1896, dau. of Jas. R Lewis and Edith Reods [sic]. Citing Index to Birth Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive, Vol 1, Letters A - G Inclusive, and Vol. 2, Letters H-Q Inclusive, Book H-4, p. 68.
  4. [S5] 1900 U.S. Federal Census. James (31), b. Oct 1862, farmer; Donie (31), b. Oct 1868, 6 children, 5 living; m. 12 yrs.
  5. [S8] 1910 U.S. Federal Census. James R (49), farmer; "Donie E" (42), 6 children, 5 living; m. 20 yrs.
  6. [S198] Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 [database], Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research and Works Progress Administration, compilers, online Ancestry.com, Albert Zuspann and Edith L Lewis, marr. Posey Co. 19 Oct 1919; citing Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive, W. P. A. Original Record. Located: County Clerk's Office, Book C-17, p. 67.
  7. [S11] 1920 U.S. Federal Census. Albert (24), b. IN, father b. Waifembuyer Aus [Austria?], mother b. Germany, wholesale grocery bookkeeper; Edith D (23), b. and father b. IN, mother b. IL; roomers in res. of Anna (70, wid.) and Etta (29, dau.) Davis.
  8. [S7] 1930 U.S. Federal Census. Albert (34), b. IN, parents b. Germany, accountant H.A. Woods Co.; Edith (33), b. and father b. IN, mother b. IL.
  9. [S1672] Indiana Death Certificates 1899-2011/2017, Indiana State Board of Health, Death Certificates, 1900–2011, 1939, Roll 9, img. 2629/2788. Reg. No. 26616, Local No. 845. Edith Dona Zuspann, housewife, wife of Albert Zuspann, res. 524 S. Willow Road, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co. IN; b. IL 30 Jul 1896, dau. of James R Lewis (b. IN) and Edith Dona Reed (b. IL); d. at res. 16 Aug 1939, age 43y 16d, mitral and aortic insufficiency; inf. Albert Zuspann, res. Evansville IN; bur. Mt. Vernon 19 Aug 1939, online Ancestry.com.
  10. [S253] Patricia Cannon Childs, 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."
  11. [S1628] FindAGrave.com, online findagrave.com, shared grave marker; Zuspann: Albert, Father, 1895–1962; Edith D, Mother, 1896–1939. Bellefontaine Cemetery, section AA row 29 grave 5. Narrative: Edith d. 17 Aug 1939. Memorial 63684121, created by Crystal G, photo added by Jock-a-mo fi na ney.