BANNON, L. W., preacher, Russell's Mills, was born in Warren County, Ohio in the year 1818. His father, Michael Bannon, was a native of Pa. And came to Ohio at a very early date, settling at Cincinnati when that city only consisted of 5 houses, and there opened a blacksmith shop, the first in the city. In 1858, he moved to Indiana, settling in Sugar Creek Township, at Russell's Mills, which he rebuilt, and ran for four or five years. He returned to Ohio on a visit and died there about 1868. Mr. Bannon received his early education at the primitive country school, and worked at the bricklaying business for many years, and during the last 30 years, has been a preacher of the Christian denomination. In 1854, he settled in Montgomery Co this state, where he preached the gospel until 1870, when he removed to Parke County, locating in this township. Since beginning to preach he has averaged over 100 sermons per annum; married over 300 couples, and preached over 150 funeral sermons. In 1838, he married, in Ohio , Miss Livonia Ashley, daughter of Loama Ashley, one of the pioneer preachers of the Christian denominations in Ohio , and in 1860 he married his second wife, Miss Angeline Hellams, and has a family of 9 children, 5 by his first wife and four by his present; and Mr. Bannon is a member of Harveysburg Lodge, AF & AM and is a prominent member and past grand of Parke Lodge IOOF. He was one of the organizers and first preachers of Pleasant Grove Christian Church in this township. In politics he is entirely independent. Taken from: 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana by J. H. Beadle. Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, Publishers. === Rev. Lewis W. Bannon, over 101 years old, died this (Tuesday) morning at the home of his son, Samuel Bannon, of Bloomingdale, where he had made his home for several years. He had been in unusual health for one of his great age, and his last slickness lasted only ten days. Mr. Bannon was born in Dark County, Ohio, but had lived in Indiana for seventy-five years. He was ordained a minister in the Christian Church sixty-five years ago, and was active and had attended every conference until five years ago. Rockville Republican 10-21-1919 == ========= Crawfordsville daily Journal Oct 22, 1919 p 7 - Waynetown, Oct 22 -- After 101 years of active life, Lewis Bannon passed away at the home of his son, Samuel in Bloomingdale , Ind yesterday morning about 8 o'clock. Mr. Bannon who originally hailed from Ohio was born Oct 1, 1818. He moved to Montgomery County about 80 years ago. At that time he was a circuit rider passing from neighborhood to neighborhood but not under the direction of any particular denomination. Later in life, however, he became a member of the new Light Christian Church and remained devoted to its doctrines. He left this count 4 years ago to live with his son in Bloomingdale. He amrried twice in his life time, 11 children being born to both marriages; three of them survive, Mrs. Joe Baldwin, Waynetown; Samuel Bannon, Bloomingdale, at whose home the death of the centenarian occurred and Baker Bannon, Center, Indiana. Besides these, however, there are several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.