Lewis Deems
Lexington. It is a just tribute to Lewis Deems, a well known citizen, to state that the roster of Ohio soldiers shows that he has the honor and distinction of being the youngest soldier at the time of his enlistment who served in the civil war from Troy Township. he was a slender youth of but 15 years when the flames of civil war first cast their dread lurid glare over the land. But he had nerves of steel and the fire of patriotism glowed fervent in his heart and he enlisted Sept. 7, 1861, in Company E, of the third cavalry regiment. He participated in many daring scouting expeditions and passed through all the awful ordeal of blood and death, in which that famous regiment participated. He served until August, 1865, and no more valiant trooper than he wielded a saber and the blood of youth warms his veins as he dwells on these heroic days. He fondly cherishes the principles for which he periled his life in the flush and vigor of youth.
From Bellville Messenger: October 30, 1903, Vol. 11, No. 43