HON. L. L. LEWIS

HON. L. L. LEWIS was born in Genesee County, New York, in 1831, about thirty miles from Buffalo, although the family soon afterward removed to Arcade, in Wyoming County, adjoining. His father was a farmer, and it was from the rough but beneficial training that falls to the lot of a farmer's son that Mr. Lewis has drawn the diligent and independent elements in his character that have helped to make him so successful in after life. In 1844 the family removed to Belvidere, Illinois, and thence in 1848 Mr. Lewis went to Iowa, where his father, being still alive, at an advanced age, still resides. From here Mr. Lewis returned to Arcade to learn his trade as tinsmith and plumber, and there he worked at it until 1859 he came to California via Panama, arriving in this city in the fall. He was preceded here by his brother, Mr. S. G. Lewis, now leading fruit-grower and ranchman of Nevada County, and formally a journalist of standing and success, who started the "Foot-Hill Tidings” of Grass Valley, and has occupied many prominent positions. As soon as he reached Sacramento, Mr. L. L. Lewis took a position in the same establishment of which he is now the head and sole proprietor, acting first as a tinner, and gradually working himself up until in 1872 he became proprietor, and extending the business until it is now the chief house in its line in this portion of the State. Mr. Lewis also became interested in mining properties in the foot-hills and elsewhere, engaging quite extensively in this business and spending a considerable portion of his time there. He was there during the period of the war of the Rebellion, and as he was a firm Union man, he had most interesting experiences. However, in 1872 he finally came down from the mines, and has since been actively engaged in business here. Among the enterprises with which the name of Mr. Lewis has been identified should be mentioned at some length the building and loan societies of this city. He is now the president of the Occidental Building and Loaning Association, and a director of the Union Building and Loaning Association. Two series of shares issued by these companies have already been wound up, and there are ten series in all a showing of great success and a vast benefit to the city in the way of assisting people to obtain homes. In October, 1887, Mr. Lewis began to move, in connection with others, in the matter of electric street railroads. The result of the action taken is the successful completion of the line that runs from the depot to J street, and thence to Oak Park addition to Sacramento, which lies to the southeast, and which comprises 300 acres of the highest ground adjoining the city, and has unexceptionable drainage, the best of water, etc. As a natural consequence it is attracting the attention home-seekers and investors, and is being rapidly disposed of, now that it is ready communication with the city by the electric road. The franchise of this road comprises some twelve miles in the city, of which four miles are built. The system adopted is that of "storage," and was proving an admirable success, with the exception of one feature of the machinery, the cars being trim, handsome and easily handled. Until the above difficulty can be overcome, the company will use horsepower. The road has already given a marked impetus to the extension of the city, and has proven a great boon to the citizens. The gentleman associated with Mr. Lewis in this matter are Messrs. E. K. Alsip, Solomon Runyon and Robert T. Devlin, of this city, and Mr. W. J. Landers, of San Francisco. Mr. Lewis is also a director of the Board of Trade of this city, one of the most efficient bodies of its kind in the State, and a director and charter member of the Sacramento Improvement Association, which has done so[such?] good work for the city. His standing in the community is the highest, and he commands the respect, confidence and esteem of every one. Mr. Lewis was married in 1866 to Miss Lerisa Corriger, of Sonoma, and they have three children, whose names are Mabel, Edna and Alice.

Source: An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 256-257.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.