Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website

Henry Lewis Capehart made his home in Deep River township in 1855 and can be considered one of the pioneer settlers of the township. He owned a fine tract of 83 acres adjoining the village of Tilton. Here he conducted a general store and was postmaster. He was born in Belmont County, OH, March 22, 1849, the son of Andrew and Lettitia (Briggs) Capehart, both natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew and Lettitia were married in about 1833 in the Keystone state and moved to Ohio sometime between 1834 and 1837. In 1855 they migrated to Poweshiek County, IA and located on a farm in section 34 of Deep River Twp., one mile north of where the town of Tilton later stood. Here he engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. Andrew passed away Nov. 20, 1890 at the age of 83 years. His wife, Lettitia passed away Jan. 7, 1892 at the age of 89 yrs., 6 mo. Andrew & Lettitia were the parents of five children: Mary who married David Evans (resident of Thornburg); George who lived in Iowa County, IA and later in Guthrie Center, IA; John who served in the Civil War as a member of Company C, Twenty-eight Iowa Infantry and died at the Soldier's Home in Marshalltown, August 24, 1910; Elizabeth who married Israel James of Thornburg, IA; and Lewis.

Lewis was 6 years of age when he accompanied his parents from Ohio To Poweshiek County, IA. He attended district schools near his father's home and assisted in the work of the farm through the periods of vacation. He remained at home until 1884, when the Northwestern Railroad was built through that section of the county and the town of Tilton was laid out. He was employed two years as manager of a merchandise and grain business for Cox & Cochran of Deep River. He then spent a similar period of time with Ed Flint in the management and conduct of a general store. He then was employed by Smith & Emmons, proprietors of a hardware, grain and lumber business at Tilton. in 1899, President McKinely, appointed Lewis postmaster of Tilton . At that time he also opened a general mercantile establishment. He built up an excellent trade and his patrons came from many miles around. He owned 88 acres on section 34, Deep River township with a comfortable residence and good outbuildings. His place adjoined the town limits of Tilton.

Lewis Capehart married Mary E. McBurney on Dec. 24, 1868. Mary was born July 17, 1850 in Lee County, ILL. Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania, migrated to Poweshiek County, IA while she was a child. Lewis and Mary were the parents of two sons and six daughters: Viola who married Charles Eugene Long ( she also may have been married a 2nd time to a Mr. Regon); Arthur who resided in Ringgold County, IA; Mary Ella (Marietta) who married John Shull of Wisconsin; Amanda who married Charles Clarahan, post office inspector in Boston, Massachusetts; Maude, who married Joel Harris a resident of Miller, SD; Inez who married Clark Miner and lived in Keokuk County, IA, three mile east of Tilton; Harland who resided in Montana and Catharine who married John McCulley of Keokuk, County, IA.

Lewis was a democrat in his political affiliations. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church where he served as a trustee. He was a Mason of high rank; belonged to Perfect Union Lodge, No. 277 at Thornburg; to the chapter at What Cheer; the commandery at Oskaloosa; and to the consistory and Mystic Shrine at Davenport. He was a Mason for many years and a prominent member of the craft. He also was a member of the Eastern Star Lodge of Thornburg.

When Lewis moved to the area with his parents as a child, the nearest neighbor was five miles distance. He lived to see the village of Tilton laid out and saw it flourish, while the county round about became thickly settled with contented and prosperous people. He was well known as a pioneer of this section and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity was an unquestioned element of his career. Often his time was spent in service of his community and he gained the love and respect of all among whom he lived and labored.

Lewis passed away Nov. 3, 1915 at his home in Tilton. His wife, Mary, passed away April 21, 1926 at the home of her son-in-law, C. Miner in Deep River, Twp. She was also cared for during her lengthy illness at the home of her son-in-law, John McCulley.

Sources: Story of Poweshiek County, IA, Vol. II, p. 661, Montezuma, IA Public Library. Lewis & Mary Capehart obituaries; Tombstone Photos by Zelda Capehart; Marriage Records, Montezuma Iowa Genealogy Library.