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LEWIS HUBER, Cartwright township, is the youngest son of John Huber, Sr., and was born in a log cabin on his father's farm, in Amanda township, Fairfield county, Ohio, June 30, 1810. His father, at this time, owned a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining the village of Royalton. Lewis' principal educational advantages were those usually enjoyed by the sons of pioneers, and consisted of a few terms in the district schools, held in a log cabin, with the old fashioned slab benches and writing desks of the same material. High schools and academies were almost unknown.

Lewis continued with his father on a farm until his eighteenth year, and was hardly off it, with the exception of sixty days, in company with his half brother, John Huber, Jr., in driving some twelve hundred head of hogs to market at Baltimore, the principal shipping point of that region of country. About this time he had a severe attack of bilious fever, which incapacitated him for farm labor. He says he was attended by an old school physician, and was "bled, blistered, and purged with combined doses of calomel and ipecac," until he "thought Heaven and earth was about to unite, being refused both fresh water to drink or fresh air to breathe." On recovery, as he could not labor on the farm, he was sent to an academy for three months, at Circleville, Ohio, at the expiration of which time he engaged with his half brother, Isaac Darst, who had removed to Circleville with a stock of merchandise, as a salesman and bookkeeper. Here he remained from 1828 to 1832. His health still being feeble, he engaged in outdoor work purchasing horses for the eastern markets, and cattle for the Michigan trade, that territory then being rapidly settled by eastern people. He followed this business until the fall of 1833.

The firm of Drain & Fauger, of Lithopalis, Ohio, being dissolved, by the death of the former, Mr. Huber was persuaded by Mr. Fauger to accept a position in the store. The fall trade being brisk, Mr. Fauger desired a partner, and offered the position to Mr. Huber, who accepted, for the double reason, a good trade was being had, and the location was healthy. The firm of Fauger & Huber existed until the fall of 1834, when Mr. Huber purchased the interest of his partner, and enlarged the business, by establishing a branch store at Royalton, under the charge of a nephew, Jefferson Darst. This branch store was continued until the fall of 1836, when he sold out and established another branch store at Jefferson, Fairfield county, Jefferson Darst superintending the business. In 1837, the stock of goods was withdrawn to Lithopolis. During this year, Mr. Huber packed the first barrel of pork in Lithopolis, but rather form compulsion than choice, as the finances of the whole country were so unsettled, and money so scarce,, that collections could not otherwise be made. The business, however, proved very profitable, and Mr. Huber purchased a large number of hogs from the farmers, on time, as well as receiving them on debts. Mr. Huber continued in business until his health became so much impaired that, in 1838, he sold out his entire stock to certain parties, giving them time to make the payments. He then remained out of business for a time, when the firm to whom he sold became involved to such an extent that, to save himself, in part, he purchased the stock. He has the satisfaction of knowing the firm yet owes him $1,000. Going to Baltimore Mr. Huber made a satisfactory compromise with his debtors' creditors, so that he might purchase the real estate, which was to be sold at sheriff's sale. A bachelor uncle died about this time, and left him about $3,000, which enabled him to make the necessary transactions. The real estate then purchased, with what he was owning previously, gave him $15,000 worth of unproductive capital. Mr. Huber still remained in business, but in 1850, he closed out his stock of merchandise and began to settle up outstanding claims then due him. About this time, his business trouble began. Needing about $3,000 circumstances were such that neither of the banks at Columbus or Lancaster, Ohio, could accommodate him, although his credit had always been good with them, as he never had a note protested, and the cashier of the Columbus bank complimented him by saying that he was among his best customers. A friend informed him that he could be accommodated at Zanesville, Ohio, and he went to that place, and, unfortunately, gave a judgment note for the amount he wished to borrow. Sickness overtaking him, when the note was due he was unable to pay. Judgment was entered up against him, and an execution sworn out, and the end was that similar to thousands of others. Every creditor felt that he must push his claim or he would lose it all. The did push. It is unnecessary to say more.

Mr. Huber experienced the joys of religion in the winter of 1831, and united with the First Presbyterian Church, in Circleville, Ohio, subsequently by letter, he united in Lithopolis, and was there elected a ruling elder. In every work of the church there, he was an active participant. In 1855, Mr. Huber and family removed to Illinois, and settled in Cartwright township; there being no Presbyterian Church near, he united with the First Presbyterian Church, Springfield. When the church at Pleasant Plains was formed, he and his wife united by letter, and remained in that connection until 1857, when by request, a letter of dismissal was given him, to unite with the First Presbyterian, at New Orleans, and he is now a member of that body.

In politics, Mr. Huber was originally a Whig, and on the dissolution of that party was undecided where his lot should be cast, politically. Finally, after a visit South, he concluded his place was with the Democracy. In 1860, he voted for John C. Breckenridge; he remained a Democrat up to 1872, when the nomination of Horace Greeley was too much for him. In 1873, he helped organize the Anti-Monopoly party, and again, assisted in the organization of the Greenback party, with which he now affiliates.

Mr. Huber, for many years, has been a strong advocate of the hydropathic system of the treatment of the sick, and since 1853, has used no drugs in his household.