OBIT: Robert LEWIS, 1920, Philipsburg, Centre County, PA

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INDIGESTION FATAL TO ROBERT LEWIS
Signal Operator at Tower Near Town Dies Suddenly at His Home.

  Acute indigestion, along with heart trouble, caused the death at his 
home on Locust street, early this morning, of Robert Lewis, for a 
quarter of a century a well known resident of Philipsburg.
  Wednesday morning he started for the New York Central tower, near 
Point Lookout, where he has been one of the signal operators for years, 
but was obliged to return to his home, when suddenly attacked with 
severe pain.  He grew worse hourly and although a physician did all 
that could be done for him, he passed away at 7:15 this morning, 
Thursday, December 23, 1920.  Despite the distressing pain he was 
conscious to the last, and ten minutes before he expired he asked the 
time of day and on being informed, commented on how slowly the hours 
passed when one was in suffering.  He had an attack of indigestion a 
couple of weeks before, and was near death at that time.
  Robert Lewis was born at Hickory Bottom, near Bald Eagle, Centre 
county, sixty-seven years ago on November 2nd last.  His parents were 
Samuel and Ellen (Beamer) Lewis, who raised a family of fifteen 
children.
  When a young man Mr. Lewis became a railroader, an occupation 
followed by seven of his brothers.    At one time there were eight of 
the Lewis brothers employed on the Tyrone division.
  For thirty years Mr. Lewis has been with the New York Central 
railroad, serving as towerman during the past twenty-four years.  About 
twenty-five years back, while serving as an engineer an open switch 
ditched his engine at Jersey Shore, and he was pinned under the wreck.  
His right leg was burned so badly that it had to be amputated above the 
knee.
  Mr. Lewis was twice married.  His first wife was Margaret Woomer.  A 
daughter was born to the first union, Mrs. W. R. Spinney, now residing 
at Jersey Shore.  His second wife, who survives him, was Miss Catherine 
Kurtz, of Jersey Shore.
  The surviving  brothers and sisters ing selections as the personnel 
of the [sic] are William and Wilson Lewis, of Tyrone; Henry, Bald 
Eagle; Sandford [sic], of Second street, Philipsburg; Samuel, of 
Punxsutawney; Mrs. Ridge Woomer, of Bald Eagle, and Mrs. H. H. Ganoe, 
of Clearfield.
  For a number of years past Mr. Lewis has been a member of the 
Presbyterian church.  He was also a member of the Telegraphers' Union, 
the Knights of Pythias, of Tyrone, and the Mechanics, of Philipsburg. 
  A good railroader, a faithful employee, Mr. Lewis performed well his 
life work.  He was a kind hearted man, devoted to his wife and 
daughter, and sociable and affable around his friends and 
acquaintances.  He was pronounced in his views and pleasingly frank and 
open in his expression of them.  Everybody seemed to like him and 
respect him.  His sudden death is not only a shock to his wife and 
brother here but to all in the community who knew him.

Philipsburg Journal, Thursday, December 23, 1920