KYBARREN-L Archives

From: Sandi Gorin <>
Subject: [KYBARREN] Barren Co Obits and Tributes
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 17:50:20 -0500

Taken from "Backroads of Barren County, The Writings of William Daniel
TOLLE (penname ELLOT), published my myself, (c) July 1991.

Joseph Horace Lewis was the commander of the Orphan Brigade.

"Death of Joseph H. Lewis. When Joseph H LEWIS died, one of the of the old
time leaders of Kentucky past [passed] to his eternal rest. He was, in deed
and in truth, a leader among men. So few has so large a measure of success
in life been given; by none has that success been more deserved. In all the
attributes of sterling manhood, Judge LEWIS towered like a great oak in the
forst, among his fellow men. Personal fear he knew not; mortal cowardice
was a stranger to him; honesty was his heritage, and strength of character
was his armor in the long battle of life. As a scholar his record was
brilliant; and no commanding offier was more beloved by those whose good
fortune of was it to serve under him, and to achieve immortal fame under
him. As a judge; both upon the Circuit and Appeals benches, his decisions
were characterized by a clearness and wisdom that defied opposition, and
disarmed even criticism. At the court he knew no man, nor was he swayed in
the slightest degree by any influences. Always the friend of the people and
the unrelenting foe of corporate oppression, there was neither taint nor
suspicion of demagoguery of a single act of his whole public life. Artless
and simple as a child in his everyday life, no more acute and powerful mind
ever solved the intricacies of the law. A well rounded man, strong always
and in all directions, he mastered problems as easy as he dominated men. No
situation ever dwarfed his magnificant mentality, and to every occasion he
rose superior. It is a splendid tribute to his greatness that political
opportunities vied with friends in honoring him. Personal enemies he had
none. His long and brilliant career was unsllied, by a single stain; his
patriotic life was unsullied. It has been said that he was the most
distinguished and favorite son of Barren County. While this is markedly
true, it is nonetheless true that he never received an honor that was not
deserved, nor won strictly upon his merits.

Among the people he loved, and who loved him witha surpassing devotion, he
lies today in a grave hidden by flowery tokens of affection from those who
knew him best and honored him most. Along the pleasant valleys of Beaver
Creek and Barren River, where his childhood feet wandered, among the hills
and plains of Southern Kentucky; where his mature voice always rang clear
and true on the hustings - every where and in all hearts - sorrow swells
and the voice of mourning is heard tthan a strong man, a good man, has
passed away.

To be continued tomorrow - Sandi

Colonel Sandi Gorin
205 Clements,Glasgow, KY 42141
(270) 651-9114 or E-fax (707)222-1210
Member Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce

Gorin Genealogical Publishing:

http://members.delphi.com/gorin1/index.html

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