Vivian J. Lewis was born on July 25, 1841 in Hardin County Kentucky the second of ten children born to David B. and Lucy A. Lewis, David B. Lewis was an early physician in Hardin County Kentucky.  Vivian lived and worked on his family's farm until the year 1861 when had enlisted for service during the Civil War. On August 11, 1861 Vivian Lewis enlisted for services with the Confederate States.  Lewis was mustered into company E of the 2nd (Woodward's"s) Kentucky Calvary where he was elected to serve the company as the 4th Sergeant.  By joining the calvary this meant that Vivian had his own horse, saddle and riding equipment as these were not provided to the men. During his Civil War services Lewis and his company engaged in some of the most historical battles of the Civil War.  During this service Lewis was wounded twice according to his own writing, however he quickly recovered from these minor wounds.  In February of 1862 while his company was engaged in battle at Fort Donalson Vivian  received his first wounds, which were to his head.  After being temporarily disabled for a period of time he soon recovered and returned to service with his company.  Lewis received his second wound during the Battle of Chichamagua in September of 1863.  This time his wounds were in the stomach and were not severe leaving him temporarily disabled, once he had recovered from these wounds he again returned to service with his company. At the time of surrender part of the company had been detached to Brooksville, Florida where they joined and served with Munnerlyn's Battalion.  Another part of the company, possibly the remainder, was on detailed service to Wilkes County Georgia where they were in the town of Washington.  On May 9, 1865 the portion of the 2nd Kentucky Calvary who were detailed to Washington, Georgia, surrendered to the Union and Vivian Lewis was among these men.  After being taken prisoner by Union Troops, Vivian Lewis was sent to a prison in Nashville, Tennessee where on May 22, 1865 he took an oath of allegiance to the United States and was released. After the war Vivian returned to his home and family in Allison, Hardin County Kentucky.  Eventually Vivian purchased his own property and soon engaged in the occupation of farming, his property was located near to his father's and most of his brother's in the small town of Allison.  Vivian Lewis remained close to his parents until 1883 when he, like many, had decided to move farther south to Florida. On July 3, 1883 Vivian arrived to Hernando County Florida where he decided he would settle and start his new venture in farming. Upon arriving to the area Vivian purchased 60 acres of property, which is further described as being located in section 2, township 23, range 18 in Hernando County.  Shortly after Vivian Lewis made his purchase of 60 acres he moved farther south settling in Pasco County, in north Hudson.  Here in Hudson Vivian applied for the homestead of 160 acres of property.  In making his homestead application he built a good home and cultivated the property.  After completing all of the requirements of the homestead application, on July 6, 1891, Vivian Lewis received full title and deed to his 160 acre homestead, which is further described as being located in section 8, township 24, range 17 in north Hudson. On March 7, 1900 Vivian Lewis purchased another 40 acres of property that was located along Bear Creek and is further described as being situated in section 16, township 25, range 17.  Sometime after the acquisition of this 40 acres Vivian started construction of a new home, followed by the selling his 160 acre homestead in north Hudson.  In addition to the construction of a new home Vivian began cultivation of his new 40 acres.  By 1906 he had sold all of his 160 acres in north Hudson and only owned the 40 acre tract along Bear Creek, which he then called home.  Vivian's new home along Bear Creek was situated near to the home of Confederate Veteran Hill W. Howse, where the creek was forded.  In 1906 Vivian Lewis testified and stated that he had no wife but that he had one daughter, indicating that he may have been previously married.  Unfortunately we do not know who Vivian Lewis was married to or when this marriage took place.  The full details of why this marriage ended are also unknown. In 1912 Vivian consulted and was examined by local doctors J. Martin Posey M.D. of Hudson and a Dr. Belcher.  During this examination it was determined that Vivian was suffering from rheumatism and diabetes.  In his old age Vivian was unable to perform manual labor sufficient enough to make a living.  Sometime between 1912 and 1920 Vivian Lewis passed away a single man, after his death he was interred in the Hudson Cemetery; however his headstone contains no date of birth or death and only mark the Confederate Company that he served with. (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2009)