Jean North was 1st licensed midwife in England.

Grandmother Simpson lost four brothers as the result of a mine explosion. She was a midwife and did minor surgery; she also reset broken bones and replaced dislocated joints.

From Edward Lewis

Edward Simpson was a mine engineer, carpenter, and cabinet maker. He also assisted the undertaker and owned the hearse and made the caskets according to measurement and other specifications such as trim and finish. Jean, his wife, installed the padding and tufting. He wore a high hat, frock tail coat and white gloves.

George Stephenson and the grandfather of Edward Simpson were first cousins. They were both large blond gentlemen with a good sense of humor and very congenial.

Edward Simpson and Jean North were married and the children born to them were: Phyllis, Jane, Ned, Rachel (all born in England), Mary and Tom (born in Ohio, USA). After coming to Ohio, he invested in a mine property south by east from New Lexington. A short while after getting the mine into production, a cyclone blew the tipple down and he was unable to regain his losses.

Jane Ann, the daughter of Edward and Jean North Simpson was born on April 22, 1870 in County Durham Dipton England.

At the age of eight she, with her parents, came to America to live. Here, August 31, 1889, she was married to Thomas Lewis. This union was blessed with eight children. Two children, an infant daughter, Mabel, a son Robert, and her husband preceded her in death.

Five sons, Fred & Albert of Rose Farm, Edward of Chicago Illinois, Harry & Walter of the home, and her only daughter, Mrs. Paul C. (Dorothy) Ebert of the home, hold their mother in loving memory. Three sisters, Mrs. Arch Allen & Mrs. Mary Plummer of Zanesville & Mrs. A. J. Flood of Rose Farm and two brothers, Edward Simpson of Rose Farm and Thomas Simpson of Clinton Indiana together with 12 grandchildren survive her.

She was a member of the Starlight Chapter of Eastern Star. With her husband, she was a charter member of the Rose Farm Church of Christ. And was always faithful in her support and attendance as long as her health permitted.

The Lewis home was a hospitable one. Always open to friends and strangers. Many were the acts of kindness bestowed upon those less fortunate by this unassuming and kindly woman.

Her devotion to her family was unlimited. This devotion was mutual, for six sons and a devoted daughter where always mindful of her pleasure and comfort.

Mrs. Lewis was all the word "Mother" implies. She had a gentle speech and a personal charm that suggested a good and noble woman.

Three words fall sweetly on my ear,

As music from an angel lyre,

That bid my spirit spurn control

And upward to its source aspire -

The sweetest sounds to mortals given:

Are heard in Mother, Home & Heaven

(Obituary written by Dorothy Lewis Ebert)

Thomas H. Lewis, son of William and Winifred Morgan Lewis was born April 5, 1862 at Tallmadge Ohio and died at his home in Rose Farm Ohio February 23, 1928. Aged 65 years, 10 months, 18 days.

He was married to Jane Simpson Aug 30, 1889. To this union, 8 children were born. Two children, Robert, aged 32 years, and an infant daughter, Mabel, preceded their father in death.

Those left to cherish his memory are his widow, five sons, Fred & Albert of Rose Farm, Edward & Harry of Chicago, Walter of the home, and one daughter, Mrs. Paul C. (Dorothy) Ebert, of the home. One sister, Mrs. Sarah Papke (the only surviving member of his father's family) and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Lewis was especially fond of children and his grandchildren were a special delight to him.

Held in high regard and esteem in the community where he has so long resided, and being deliberate and broad minded, his judgment was always sought in the affairs of the community. For many years he served as a member of the board of education and trustee for York Township.

A more faithful husband, a more loving father than Mr. Lewis could not be found. His home was a hallowed place where he, in his kind and gentle manner had sweet communion with his loved ones.

Years ago, he became a member of the Rose Farm Church of Christ. He was elected a deacon and named chairman of the church board which office he held until his death. Always faithful in every church obligation, he was found in the church whenever his health permitted.

The friendly greeting, the warm handclasp, and the many deeds of kindness will long be cherished by his family and friends.

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me

And may there be no moaning attn-bar

When I put out to sea.

(Obituary written by Dorothy Lewis Ebert)

Letter to Edward from Thomas H. Lewis generously provided by Marilyn Lewis Shutak

November 28th, 1927

Dear Son,

It is with pleasure I answer your letter and glad to hear you are alright and to hear you have got plenty of work. The Boys are looking every place for work. Everything is bad. They cannot get anything. Harry and is wife went to Zanesville Sunday to see 'bout work. I have not heard from them yet. I was sorry Harry could not work out there.

Fred was over and he told me to tell you he has not got that shirt pattern.

Everybody is getting out of Rosefarm. Dorothy and Paul are thinking of going up to Newark with Violet on Sunday to see if they can get work.

Peggy went away Saturday and I sure was glad. She is just the same old Peggy. She wanted to fuss all the time. We had a good fuss and she cried and threw up to me because she gave me $5 a week. I did not ask her to pay me anything. But I took it just the same and I hope it will be a long time before she visits me again. I was sorry things was so unpleasant for you as they were when you was at home. Hope she never will be here again when you are here.

Well I guess I will tell you about Fred got a 'coon and he weighed about 18 pounds. He sure was pretty. Peggy wanted it and he told her she could have his hide for 14 dollars. He is holding it for her. She's looking to see what it will cost her to have it tanned.

We was all up to Fred's for Thanksgiving dinner. There were 30 for dinner and supper and we sure had a good time. Hope you got to go hunting and had a good time. The Boys went hunting and Harry got 12. Tibby got 4 with a club. (This I am assuming refers to rabbits?) He says he cannot buy shells so he just clubs them to death and is making a cradle for Dona and it sure is pretty. It will be a poor Christmas for everybody in the coal field. They are all talking and I do not write very good. But I guess you can read this so I will close with love from Mother and Da. I was sorry about that letter. It was at the office for a week.

Mary Elva, daughter of William and Sarah Willison Hamelback, was born January 30, 1865 at Zanesville and departed this life September 26, 1956 at Roseville, Ohio. Age 91 years, 8 months, 26 days.

She was united in marriage to Edward Simpson who preceded her in death.

Those who are left to cherish her memory are: one son, Morris Simpson of Cincinnati; one sister, Mrs. Hattie Turnbull of Crooksville; one foster sister, Winifred Burwell of New Hampshire; one grand-daughter, Mrs. Leroy Henry of Roseville; one great grand-son, Mr. Morris Henry of Roseville; several nieces & nephews and a host of friends.

She was a teacher of the Adult Class of the Rose Farm Sunday School for 28 years. When the present Church was organized, she became a charter member, bringing her membership from the First Church in Zanesville, Ohio. She was a faithful member, having served as Superintendent, trustee, and or teacher as long as her health permitted.

She was all that the word "Mother" implies. Of gentle ways and quiet speech, she poured out her love upon all with whom she came in contact. Being keenly intelligent, broad minded and having a compassionate heart, her council and advice was sought by family and friends. Many were the deeds of kindness, bestowed on those less fortunate by this gentle and unassuming woman.

She loved flowers, and their beauty and profusion responded to the careful tending of her gentle hands. Her love for children knew no bounds, and the grand-daughter raised in her home was a constant source of pleasure to her.

During her illness, even though at times in great pain, she was patient & always had a smile for those around her.

"Aunt Mary," as she was lovingly called by friends, was a shining example of a true Christian gentle-woman.

Three words fall sweetly on my ear,

As music from an angel lyre,

That bid my spirit spurn control

And upward to its source aspire -

The sweetest sounds to mortals given:

Are heard in Mother, Home & Heaven

(Obituary written by Dorothy Lewis Ebert)

From Jean Gold: Andy had his shoe shop behind the house at first; then moved the shop to Crooksville.

Death Cert #3964/49542

Copy of Letter written to Jane Simpson Lewis by her son, Private Robert W. Lewis; copy of letter generously provided by Marilyn Lewis Shutak, daughter of Edward Lewis.

Pvt Robert W. Lewis

Co A 308 Ann Tn

(Via New York)

Somewhere in France

Sept 27th

My dear mother,

I received your letter and was sure glad to get it for I was feeling pretty blue but now that is all changed. I never felt better in my life. We have some hard times and get into some tight places, but altogether it is not so bad. You spoke of Eddie going to camp (boot camp). Don't let that worry you for the war is going to end before you think it is. By the time you get this, you will read in the papers about what the Americans are doing, so hope for the best. I got a picture of Marjorie; she sure is a dandy kid. She soon will be calling you grandma won't she? I bet Banjo (Frederick) has got some boy by this time. His uncle Bob will be home and don't you forget that. Give my love to all and tell old G Spicer that we are going to get the Kaisers scalps!

Your loving son

Robert

XXXXX

PS tell Dorothy I will write as soon as I can.

Copy of Letter written to Edward Lewis by his brother, Private Robert W. Lewis; copy of letter generously provided by Marilyn Lewis Shutakk, daughter of Edward Lewis.

Pvt Robert Lewis

Co A 308 Ann Tm

American E. F.

(Via New York)

Somewhere in France

Sept 28th

Hello Ed,

I received your letter along with the rest but am looking for more. We either get no mail or we get a whole bunch at one time. We are having pretty chilly weather over here now but that makes no difference to the Americans. The French think they are the best ever. When I wrote yesterday, the Hun shells were squealing over my head and hitting in a French village behind us but the boys made a big advance and now we can hardly hear the guns. We really don't know as much about what is going on as you do except on this one front, but if there is as much activity on the other fronts as there is on this one the Kaiser is about finished (I would say).

You said you expected I would know ________________ your new _____________was. I would have known but I opened your letter first. Tell Cliff that I am waiting for an answer to that letter I wrote him. All the boys are hunting souvenirs and I expect I will look for a few myself when I get time. Tibby will get sore at Cliff for grabbing off Gladys, Cliffton won't he? Ha Ha I am sending Tib a little note.

Notes from Helen Lewis Barshay regarding above letter to Ed (her father) from Robert:

Tib (sometimes Tibby) was the nickname for Albert for much of his life. or all of it. We children of Ed were told to call him Uncle Tib.

Before the hostilities ended for that war, Robert was among those who were gassed by the Germans, and he died of those effects after returning home from the war.

My father, Edward, was also in the army during that war. He was stationed at a hospital in this country, caring for patients afflicted by the Great flu epidemic, the worst in the 20 th century.

The Cliff mentioned in Robert's letter is my mother's older brother, Cliff, who was a great friend of my father (and apparently of his brothers).

Morgan Co. Court House

Thomas Ray Lewis of Crooksville Rt 2, died at 12:30 am Thursday at his home following a two year illness. He was a 27 year employee of Armco Steel Corp. at Zanesville, retiring in 1980 due to ill health. An Army Veteran of WW2, he was a member of Armco Veteran's Club and Maple Avenue Christian Church in Crooksville, where he served as a lifetime deacon.

Edwin F. Riffle of Lambertville, Michigan, died at 1:20pm Tuesday in St. Vincent's Hospital at Toledo following a short illness. Son of Alonzo and Nora Belcher Riffle, lived in Crooksville and moved to Michigan in the 1950's. He was a retired employee of the American Motors Corp. (AMC) in Toledo and was a member of the Deland Weslyan Church in Temperance, Michigan (Times Recorder Obit)

Robert lewis retired from Armco Steel as safety director in 1981, after nearly 41 years of service. He was a veteran of the US Army serving 1943 to 1946 and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, where he retired as head usher after 40 years of service. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge Peerless 591 of Crooksville, Anient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge, Aladdin Temple of Columbus, Zanesville Scottish Rite and a past member of Zavi Shrine of Zanesville. He was past president of Muskingum County Safety Council, enjoyed traveling with his family and had many trophies from his golfing days. (Times Recorder Obit)

Once more with tragic suddenness, death has laid its heavy hand upon a young man of our community. With terrible swiftness, his death brought a feeling of deep sorrow and depression to our small village.

Carl Edward Lewis was the son of Mary and Fred Lewis, born at Rose Farm on January 29, 1920. On September 7, 1944 he was united in marriage to Miss Hallie Mae Dempster and to this union three children were born: Mary, eight, Carla, seven, and his small son, Fred, only five.

He leaves to mourn his untimely passing, his wife and three children. His mother, Mrs. Mary Lewis of Cleveland, three brothers, Robert of Crooksville, Route 2, Maynard and Ronald of Cleveland, and two sisters, Mrs. Paul (Jean) Gold and Mrs. Francis (Dona) Liddy, also of Cleveland and his aged maternal grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Sohrennsen.

His father preceded him in death only a few months ago.

Carl was born and reared in this small community peopled with his relatives and friends. He settled to rear his own family among the environments that he loved most. Bidding farewell to his family, he hurried off to meet the tasks of his work-a-day life - that of providing for his family.

He literally died in the line of duty. Pausing as he did in his days occupation to find his way . . . . .to chart his course . . . .to find which way to go in the pursuit of labor. A bit of irony marked his fate. It decreed the earthly course of this young man should terminate and, without highway map or hesitation, he went out to join the "Innumerable Caravan" from which no traveler ever returns. It was not without direction he moved on to eternal realms, charted and planned by the Great Designer. He is not dead, he is just away, living always in the hearts he loved.

By his patriotism and personal sacrifice, he gave his service to his country for three long years. To try to bring an unwilling world to the consideration of peace. His service record is most admirable. He received the "Unit Citation for bravery above and beyond the Call of Duty," the European-African Middle Eastern Service medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Carl was very modest about his Service Record, but it will glow with luster for his children. A brave soldier, a good son, a loving husband and father - his record closed.

Let fate do her worst . .

There are relics of joy,

Bright dreams of the past,

Which she cannot destroy.

They come in the night

Times of sorrow and care.

And bring back the features

That joy used to wear.

Long, long may my heart

With memories be filled;

Like the vase in which roses

Have once been distilled -

You make break, you may shatter

The vase if you will

But the scent of the roses

Will hang 'round it still.

(Obituary by Dorothy Lewis Ebert)

Mary Lewis was a devoted wife, mother & grandmother. She was a lifetime member of the Church of Atonement Catholic Church in Crooksville. (Times Recorder Obit)

Ronald Lewis worked for TRW of Cleveland and retired in 1973. He was a member of the First Christian Church (Times Recorder Obit)