This beautiful little city is the oldest town in the county, and one of the first that was laid off in the Military Tract,—the first, perhaps, with the exception of one. It was laid off in April, 1822, by Ossian M. Ross, and derives its name from the Hon. Lewis W. Ross, his son, and who at that time was a small boy. Ossian M. Ross was a native of the State of New York, and followed agricultural pursuits in the Empire State. He married Miss Mary Winans July 7, 1811, in Waterloo, N. Y. She was born April 1, 1793, in Morris county, N. J., and died only a few years ago. She was a noble woman and possessed a fund of information of the early history of this county, most of which, however, was buried with the good old lady. We give her portrait in this work as a representative pioneer woman. We know our readers will be glad to see it; and we would give also that of Mr. Ross, but he never had a picture taken. After the war of 1812, in which Mr. Ross participated, he came into possession of three-fourths of a section of land in the Military Tract. A portion of this land is now occupied by the city of Lewistown. He came here with his family in 1821 and erected a cabin upon the site now occupied by Major Newton Walker's residence. When it is remembered that at that time Chicago was situated so far in the wilderness that the news of the massacre, which occurred at Ft. Dearborn only a few years before, did not reach the inhabitants of the State for many days after its occurrence, and that St. Louis was only the resort of trappers and hunters, some idea it may be had of the daring, energetic and resolute character of this man.

Mr. Stephen Dewey surveyed the town. He was then a young, unmarried man, but he soon accepted the advice of Mr. Ross and was married. Not long after this event of his life he located at Lewistown and erected the first house in the old town. Fulton County been organized in 1823, a commission consisting of H. R. Colter, Steven Chase and John Totten was appointed by the Legislature to select a location for the county-seat. Upon the 14th of February of that year these gentleman decided in favor of Lewistown, since which time the public buildings have remained here, although desperate efforts have been made to remove them to other parts of the county. The very earliest history of the city is so closely identified with that of the county as recorded in the third chapter of this work, we refrain from repeating much of what properly is important historical matter relative to this city.

It will naturally be expected that in our historical sketch of Lewistown we will give more than a passing notice of those early and prominent citizens whose fortunes were cast with the early history of the place. For a period of eight years, from 1821 to 1829, Ossian M. Ross took a conspicuous part in promoting the enterprises of the infant village, so far separated from civilization. He was a man of great force of character, and the utmost confidence was reposed in him by the few inhabitants of the place. He moved to Havana, Mason County, in 1829, became its first merchant, and there passed the remainder of his days. Stephen Dewey, the surveyor and first settler of the town, is described as a social and intelligent gentleman, and occupied various offices of trust and responsibility. He erected several of the first buildings of the town. David W. Barnes located here when he first came to the county, which was in 1822, but he soon removed his farm near Canton.

Hugh R. Colter, the first Circuit and County Clerk, and the first Probate Judge, was an Irishman, well educated, indeed a fine scholar and a man of great genius. He taught the first school ever held in the county in this town. Mr. Colter had the misfortune to lose one of his lower limbs, and as a substitute wore a wooden leg. He generally wore a boot upon this artificial limb. He married Miss Maria Ross, a sister of O. M. Ross, who died very soon after her marriage. Mr. Colter went to the lead mines at Galena about 1826, and for many years served as Recorder of White Co., Wis. He died at Lancaster, Wisconsin, in 1876.

Thomas Lee Ross was another pioneer here. He was the youngest brother of O. M. Ross, and the first County Treasurer. He too went to Galena and lives at present near that place in Wisconsin.

Stephen Phelps, of York, came from Sangamo County, as Sangamon County was then known, and settled at Lewistown. He is described by Colonel Ross as a man of unusual business tact and ability. He rented a portion of a building which stood the southern part of the town, and opened a small stock of goods which he had purchased at St. Louis. The Indians were then numerous, and in trading with them he secured considerable means. He soon was able to erect a store-building of his own, which he did just north of the brick business building owned and occupied by Henry Phelps. Here he engaged in an extensive business. The style of the firm name was Stephen Phelps & Son. He died about 1840, after a life of unusual activity. After his demise the firm was changed to Myron Phelps & Son. Myron was an older son of Stephen, and about 1841 admitted to partnership his son, Henry Phelps, the present head of the firm. Mr. Myron Phelps died some two years ago. His religious convictions were strong, and toward the church and business enterprises he was unusually liberal. During his life he laid by a certain portion of his income toward the interests of religion.

William Proctor was also a noted character in early times. He settled here as early as 1825 or 1826. He started the first tannery in the county during the first years of his settlement here. It was his custom to trade leather for green hides with the pioneers in this and adjoining counties. For the collection of hides he was compelled to travel from Sangamon County to what is now Bloomington; thence to Fort Clark (now Peoria), Flint Hills (now Burlington), Lewistown, Havana and home. The first time he visited Canton was while making one of these trips, in the year 1824, from Fort Clark. Night coming on, and the prairie having been recently burned over, thus obliterating the track, he had to let his horses take their own course. They brought up at the cabin of Major Barnes, north of the present site of Canton. Mr. Henry Andrews, who was then a member of Major Barnes' family, remembers the incident. He also started the first boot and shoe establishment. He met with the abundant success in his new enterprise. Later in life he became a farmer and money-lender. He died January 24, in 1879.

Dr. Newton settled in Lewistown in a very early day, but remained only a short time. His successor was Dr. E. D. Rice, who came from Massachusetts. He was a young man when he came here, and was possessed of integrity, honesty and ability. These noble qualities soon gained for him a good practice in his profession. He assisted very materially toward the building and progress of the town, and became County Judge, or Judge of Probate and County Recorder. He died in 1878.

In 1847 Gen. L. F. Ross, now of Avon, and of whom we speak in connection with the history of Union township, was elected Probate Judge, succeeding Stephen H. Pitkins, also a prominent early resident of the place. Mr. Ross became pre-eminently identified with the business interests of Lewistown. He distinguished himself as a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and in the Mexican war.

Truman Phelps was the proprietor of the first hotel in the place. It was a two-story frame building with a porch, and stood upon the site now occupied by the residence of T. F. Stafford.

Another gentleman of prominence was H. B. Evans, who was a native of Virginia. He came to Lewistown in 1828 or 1829. For several years he was County Clerk, and, in connection with Nathan Beadles, entered actively into business. About 1856 he erected the large brick store building now occupied by Edwin Harris. Nathan Beadles came to the county in 1829, and in 1833 came the Lewistown and engaged at his trade, which was that of a tailor, and was probably the first taylor in the town. In time he became an extensive dealer in livestock, and then began merchandising. He accumulated wealth quite rapidly, and has done much to beautify the city and to advance its interests. In 1876 he, with others, erected Beadles' Block, in which is one of the finest public halls to be found in any of the smaller cities of the State.

In 1834 came Martin Eichelberger, who is now a prominent merchant of Lewistown. He was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Lewistown without other capital than character, integrity and honesty. Shortly after his arrival he opened a small shop for the manufacture of saddles, harness, etc.. He transacted a fair business for a number of years and began merchandising with John Proctor about 1850. For a number of years he officiated as Postmaster and Mayor.

Major Newton Walker came in 1835. About his first business after his arrival was to superintend the construction of the present court-house. He was a young man of great energy and took considerable interest in his work, and at its completion the new court-house was among the best, if not the very best public building in the State. The plans and specifications were all drawn by Major Walker. During the time of its direction he built a large sleigh within the building, and upon completion the sleigh was found to be too large to be taken out of any opening in the structure. At this, great merriment was excited and sundry measures were resorted to for its removal, but it was too big to be gotten out whole. The county officials formally occupied a small frame structure which at present stands just in the rear of the new printing house of the Lewistown Democrat. William McComb, of whom we speak a greater length below, was for a number of years Circuit Clerk.

D. J. Waggoner came in 1843, and for a number of years worked in a chair factory. He was Deputy Sheriff and for many years served the county a Sheriff and was always popular. He is still living at Lewistown, and a gentleman of unusual ability, energy and enterprise.

Dr. R. R. McDowell was also an early settler.

Colonel L. W. Ross, in honor of whom of the town was named, was brought to the place when nine years of age. During the autumn of 1832 he joined Major Bogart's battalion and traveled over the country between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, then upon the outskirts of civilization, for the protection of frontiersmen. While at Galena he saw the great Indian chief, Black Hawk.

We could mention here a long list of familiar names, but as we give them in alphabetical order on subsequent pages, we will not repeat them here.

Since the original town was platted many additions have been laid out, as given below.

R C. Simms, a farmer and land speculator, laid out an addition to the town of Lewistown, which was a subdivision of the original Tract. Soon afterwards James Veils made an addition; then J. W. Saunders made one south of the original town, which comprised 15 acres. William Proctor also made an addition. William Phelps made a 15-acre addition upon the eastern part of the town. The Seminary addition was the next made. It comprises 20 are 25 acres. Peirsol's addition which is just east of the former, was then laid out by J. H. Peirsol. It comprises about 8 acres. There is still another small addition, which was made by Nathan Beadles, comprising 2 acres; and in the southern part of the town William Proctor laid out the second addition bearing his name, and in the northern part of town is Peirsol's second addition.

In 1823 a log court-house was erected in the vicinity of the place where the present one now stands. This was used till about 1830, when the old frame structure was erected, and in 1838 the present building was built at a cost of about $10,000.

The first post office was located in the southern part of town, and Hugh R. Colter was perhaps the first postmaster. The mail was received once a week, and the long journeys a lone horseman would make to the wild country were not always pleasant ones.

The first child born in the town was Lucinda Ross, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Ross. She was also the first child born in the county.

It would perhaps be uninteresting to follow the minutiae of the growth and progress of the town from its earliest infancy, as nothing of special note occurred. Immigrants came in and erected houses, embarked in various kinds of business and increased the wealth of the town, while some would leave and seek their fortune at other points. For some years the town grew rapidly, but it has suffered its seasons of adversity as well as enjoyed those of prosperity. At present it can truly boast of being as pleasant and prosperous as any town throughout the State.

We will now speak of the business, religious and educational interests of the city, past and present. School was first taught in the log court-house. The first building especially erected for the instruction of the pioneer children was put up by the Masonic fraternity. It was constructed of hewn logs and occupied the present site of the Presbyterian church. When Mr. Ross laid out the town he donated several lots to the public for the court-house, jail and church to be erected upon. Upon this tract was built the Masonic Building referred to.

The Methodists were among the first religious denominations to be established here. They worshiped in the court-house. The first pastor now called to mind was Rev. Jacob Ellis, who built the first water-mill in the county, and also the first cotton-gin. The productive soil of Fulton County then raised considerable of this staple article. It is supposed that a man by the name of West was the first Methodist minister to preach here, but we cannot ascertain whether this is the fact or not.

The first church for regular worship was built by William Proctor and was used by the Presbyterians. The Presbyterians of Fulton County organized a church September 13, 1828. There were eight members, and meetings were held at both Canton and Lewistown. This was the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Lewistown. The fine edifice they now occupy, which is located upon the square, is very largely the result of the liberality of Myron Phelps. Rev. J. F. Magill has officiated as pastor for about nineteen years. The congregation is one of the largest in the county. Henry Phelps is superintendent of the large and interesting Sunday-school.

The Methodist denomination have a good brick church edifice situated at the northwest corner of the square. The congregation is in a prosperous condition and under the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Ayling.  L. B. Bays is the Superintendent of the Sunday-school.

The Christian church have a pleasant frame building situated east of the square two blocks. It is the last church structure that has been erected in the city. Elder M. Ingels is pastor. The Sunday-school is under the superintendency of H. C. Hasson.

The Episcopal Church at present have no regular services. The congregation has a beautiful, small church edifice in the northeastern part of the city. The parish was organized Monday, July 19, 1859, under the name of St. James Church. The following named gentlemen were elected wardens and vestryman: S. C. Judd, Sen. Warden; Dr. G. D. McManus, Jun. Warden; and James M. Davidson, William H. Graham, T. A. Boyd, Henry A. Long, DeWitt C. Bryant and Isaiah C. Worley, Vestryman.

The magnificent school building which stands in the northern part of the city was erected in 1869. It is constructed of brick and is one of the largest and finest school buildings in the county. It is presided over by Professor Leroy S. Bates.

In 1841 or 1842 William D. Kelly and Captain William Phelps erected a large flouring-mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1845. D. A. Burgett built the second mill, which was also destroyed by fire. On the side of the old one a larger mill was erected, which has enjoyed a big and successful run.

In the early history of the town a man by the name of Powers established a woolen mill which was only short-lived, as Messrs. Worley and Proctor erected an extensive mill for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods and this overshadowed the smaller factory. This mill was destroyed by fire. In 1865 they began again on the old site, and now have a factory that will compare favorably with any in this part of the State. Mr. Proctor several years ago began the manufacture of wagon spokes and hubs in the eastern part of the city. This business failed, and now the premises are converted into a tile factory.

Over forty years ago Lewistown boasted of a saw-mill. Samuel Brown was the first to conduct a business of this kind. His successors were his sons. Samuel Brown and Samuel Duvall ran a mill for some time. The last one in the city was owned and occupied by John Routson, which was recently destroyed by fire. He transacted a large and lucrative business at this mill, selling large quantities of lumber to the C. B. and Q. Railroad. Messrs. Wysock and Phelps are manufacturers of carriages, buggies and wagons. These are the principal factories in Lewistown, although there are other men who display considerable enterprise in the manufacture of furniture, etc.. Prominent among them are C. W. Beltz & Co.

The Willison house is a hotel situated south of the square, and is conducted in first-class style.

The Standard House, on the southeast corner of the square, the largest hotel of the city, was erected by Captain William Phelps. It was first thrown open to the public about 1854, with Captain Phelps as landlord. His successor was John Bliss, who in turn was succeeded by Jeremiah Roberts. William Standard for a number of years conducted his hotel and gave it the name it bears now. A short time ago he disposed of the property to his son, George Standard.