From the “History of Columbia County, Wisconsin-1880” there is a biographical sketch under the ‘Town of Columbus’ for William L. Lewis, Columbus; was born at Clarendon, Orleans Co, NY, in 1815; he is the son of Shubael Lewis and Eleanor Robertson; he is the brother of the Honorable James L. Lewis, who was Secretary of State and later Governor of Wisconsin. Mr Lewis received the greater part of his education in the common schools of his native State. In 1842, he began merchandising at Bergen, Genesse Co., and after continuing there two years he removed his business to Clarendon, Orleans Co., and there continued the same and also milling, for several years; disposing of his interest at Clarendon, in 1853, he removed to Hawley, Orleans Co., and was the proprietor of the Hawley Mills for three years; he, with his family, emigrated to Wisconsin, in the spring of 1857, locating at Columbus; he has since been engaged in farming, lumbering and the grain trade. He was employed as a clerk in the Secretary of State’s office, in 1863, with his brother, during his term in office, and by Mr. Fairchild, in 1864. Returning to Columbus, in 1865, he devoted his time to superintending his farm of 312 acres, in the town of Columbus. He was married in 1841, to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, of Clarendon, Orleans Co., NY; their children are Martin J., who now lives in Dakota; Adella, now the wife of D.M. Inmann, and lives in Dakota; Anna E. now Mrs. M.D. Thompson, of Vermillion, Dakota; Jennie, deceased; Lillie, now at home with parents. Mr. Lewis’ family is connected with the Baptist Church.