Lewis, Leon E., Jr.

Samuel (1766-1835) and Abraham II (1778-1863) Rex resided in Heidelberg (later called Schaefferstown) and Mount Pleasant (Cocalico township, Lancaster County), Pennsylvania. during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Samuel and Abraham II owned general stores. They were sons of Anna Bastian and Abraham Rex I, a storekeeper in Chestnut Hill, now a part of Philadelphia. Samuel moved to Schaefferstown in 1789 to run a store for Lewis Kreider, and in 1790, he opened his own store. He married Anna Maria (Mary) Valentine. They had no children. In 1807, Samuel sold his store to his brother Abraham. Samuel continued to reside in Schaefferstown and remained involved in the town's business, legal, and religious affairs.

Abraham Rex, II, married Elizabeth Schaeffer. One of their sons was Franklin (1811-1833), who died shortly after graduation from medical school. Another son was Samuel Schaeffer (S.S., 1806-1878); he worked in his father's store before establishing his own in Brickerville. Abraham Rex, II, ran a store in Mount Pleasant from 1802-1807, and then purchased brother Samuel's store in 1807. In 1834, Abraham Rex II sold his store to his sons Samuel Schaeffer and Abraham (1813-1890).

Leon E. Lewis, Jr., collected these papers related to the area in and around Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. He was related to the Rex family.