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Lewis T. Cosby, a contract and builder of De Soto, was born in Buckingham

County, Va., October 14, 1825 and is a son of Rev. Vincent and Sarah 

(King) Cosby.  The former, now deceased, was a Methodist minister and brick

mason.  Lewis T. Cosby followed the pursuit of farming, to which he was 

reared, for several years, obtaining his education in the subscription 

schools of his native county.  He removed to Jefferson County, Mo., in 1842,

and first settled near Victoria, where he engaged in farming until 1853.  

In 1862 he learned the trade of a bridge carpenter, at which he worked 

several years, and during the late war he assisted in looking after the 

railroad bridges for the United States Government. He is also a contractor 

and house carpenter. His marriage to Mary H. Bage, daughter of William Bage

(deceased), occurred December 24, 1846.  Mr. and Mrs. Cosby have been 

blessed with four children, as follows: William, who married Sarah Dobbins,

is a resident of St. Louis and has four children: William, Estella, Raymond

and Mary; Robert married Lydia Hunt, and resides near Victoria, the parents 

of two children: Ella and Emma; Emma, married Albert Tyler, who died leaving 

one child, Bertie, and she afterward became the wife of Ahira J. Beardslee, 

of Marquand, Mo.; Vincent married Lillie Barker, and lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Mr. Cosby owns 120 acres of land in Central Township, Jefferson County, and 

is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Joachim Lodge, 

No. 164, of Hillsboro.