My Genealogy Hound

Robert Lewis, editor and proprietor of the Enterprise at Dresden, was born in 1856, in Chattanooga, Tenn. His parents, P. E. and Harriet N. (Rawlings) Lewis, were born in Virginia and Tennessee in 1824 and 1827, and were married in 1855. The father learned the brick mason and plasterer’s trade when a boy, but on coming to Tennessee, in 1851, engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1868 he moved to Union City, Tenn., where he now resides. Of their four children, our subject is the only surviving member. His sister Emma (Mrs. H. L. Park) died quite recently. The mother had three children by a previous marriage, Victoria (wife of W. B. Giddings) being the only one now living Mrs. Lewis’ father, Reason Rawlings, was a pioneer settler of Chattanooga, being a resident of the place when it was known as Ross’ Landing. He was also the founder of Rawlingsville, Ala., now known as Fort Payne. Mr. Rawlings was appointed Indian agent of the Cherokees by the United States Government, acting in that capacity at the time the Cherokees were removed west of the Mississippi. Our subject was educated at Union City, Tenn., and made his parents’ house his home until twenty-one years of age. He taught school a short time and then began learning journalism. He entered the office of N. B. Morton, editor of the Union City Reveille, remaining six months. He continued that work, however, in Fulton, Chattanooga, Gadsden, Atlanta and Nashville. In April, 1882, he came to Dresden and became editor and proprietor of the Dresden Democrat. In 1883 he established the Enterprise which is the leading paper of the county, having a circulation of 600 weekly subscribers. November 3, 1881, he married Addie Cardwell, daughter of M. D. and P. A. Cardwell, and by her is the father of the following children: Ida Belle, Hugh Barr and Roberta (deceased). Mr. Lewis is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was cast for Hancock. He has fought manfully for the suppression of the liquor traffic and was one of the leaders in banishing it from Dresden. He is a member of the Presbyterian and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.