Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JUDGE
JOSEPH R. LEWIS
JUDGE JOSEPH R. LEWIS. Inheriting from his parents and his ancestors
a healthy mental and moral constitution, Judge Joseph R. Lewis, of San
Jose, was well equipped by nature with the qualities of heart and mind that made
for him a substantial foundation for a true and noble character, and gained for
him the honors of a useful and meritorious career. Inspired during his youthful days with a
laudable ambition to succeed in life, he studied hard, attaining a high rank in
scholarship, and while yet young decided to enter the legal profession. Industrious and zealous, he won success as a
lawyer, and as associate justice, and chief justice, in different territories
of the United States gained a place of prominence and distinction, the bench
giving full scope to his highest qualities and attainments. A man of great ability, and of incorruptible
integrity, Judge Lewis ever kept the truth of facts and the principles of law
before his mind, and made justice, pure and simple, the constant motive of his
decisions. Since coming to San Jose as a
resident, the judge has been actively identified with the highest and best
interests of the city, and has been especially influential in advancing its
educational and literary status. A son
of Col. Philip Lewis, he was born in September, 1829, in London, Ohio,
coming from Welsh ancestry. His paternal
great-grandfather emigrated from Wales to this country, settling first in New
Jersey, but subsequently removing to Pennsylvania. His brother, Francis Lewis, also a native of
Wales, became a prominent citizen of New York state, and had the honor of
having his name handed down to posterity as one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence.
Born and reared in Pennsylvania,
Col. Philip Lewis settled in Adams county, Ohio, in 1803, afterwards moved
to Madison county, that state, becoming proprietor of a hotel in London in that
year. A man of unusual intelligence and
capability, he soon became influential in political affairs, and for many years
served in the state legislature, first in the house of
representatives, and later as state senator. He was also sheriff of Madison county for a number of terms. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of
the Masonic fraternity. He married
Abigail Melvin, a native of eastern Tennessee, and the daughter of John Melvin,
who left Virginia, his native state, to get rid of slavery, removing first to
Tennessee, and from there to Madison county, Ohio, to escape the ague-tainted
climate of the former state. Her
Grandfather Melvin, who was born in Virginia, of French Huguenot ancestors,
served in the Revolutionary war. Of the
thirteen children born of the union of Col. Philip and Abigail (Melvin)
Lewis, all grew to years of maturity, and two are now living, Joseph R.
being the youngest child.
Receiving a common-school and an academical education in London, Ohio, Joseph R. Lewis
began life as a teacher at the age of seventeen years, and during the five
years that he was thus employed also studied law under the tuition of
Hon. Richard A Harrison, an ex-member of congress, who is now at the
head of the bar in Columbus, Ohio.
Admitted to the bar in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1854, Mr. Lewis began
the practice of his profession at once.
Removing to Iowa in 1855, he opened a law office in Washington, and
being elected district attorney the following year served from 1856 until
1860. During the period of the Civil war
he was provost marshal of Washington county, Iowa,
after which he resumed the practice of his profession in Washington, Iowa. April 15, 1869, on the recommendation of
the governor and of all the judges of the supreme court
of Iowa and of the congressional delegates, Mr. Lewis was appointed, by
President Grant, associate justice of Idaho, and at once removed to Boise
City. That Judge Lewis stood very high
in the estimation of the representative men of Iowa, not only as a lawyer, but
as a man and a citizen, was amply proved by the letters of recommendation sent
to the Iowa delegation in congress by the supreme judges, the attorney general,
and others, and which had the hearty endorsement of the governor and other
state officers, all letters, documents and testimonials speaking of him in the
very highest terms. Arriving in Boise
City during the last week in May, 1869, Judge Lewis began a term of court at
Silver City, in the Owyhee mining district, on June 1, finding a large
docket awaiting him, including twenty murder cases and many civil cases of
importance. With thoroughness and despatch[sic],
he entered upon the judicial work before him, laboring with energy, and in
twenty-four days closed the session, having cleared the calendar. Enforcing the criminal laws of the territory
with strictness, the judge of course met with opposition, and incurred the
enmity of the criminal class, which oftentimes largely predominates in a new
country, but by thus faithfully performing the duties of his position he won
the support and commendation of the better element of the community and was
highly complimented by the Owyhee Tidal
Wave and the Boise Statesman.
May 25, 1871, Judge Lewis was
appointed and confirmed as associate justice of the supreme court of New
Mexico, but declined the proffered honor.
Resigning his position in 1871, the judge spent the following summer in
his old home, at Washington, Iowa, but in the fall returned to Idaho, where he
was engaged as counsel in several important cases in the district and supreme
courts. Being appointed by President
Grant as associate justice of the supreme court of the territory of Washington,
March 21, 1872, Judge Lewis proceeded to Walla Walla, and with
characteristic fearlessness and sternness of integrity began the discharge of
his legal duties as a wise and upright judge.
As in a similar position in Idaho he made bitter enemies of the lawless
class of citizens, so at Walla Walla the judge incurred the opposition of those
unscrupulous members of the bar that had been allowed to bully and intimidate
witnesses, and these, with other opposers, caused a
petition to be printed, and privately circulated, throughout the Walla Walla
district, praying the president of the United States to remove the associate
justice. As soon as the Walla Walla bar
became cognizant of this fact a meeting was called, and in the resolutions that
were there passed Judge Lewis was fully vindicated, being declared a most wise
and upright judge, and a citizen of worth and integrity, in every way deserving
of the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
These resolutions were not only signed by the bar, but had the cordial
endorsement of the leading citizens, the ministers, and the editors of Walla
Walla.
January 25, 1875, on the recommendation
of Judge George H. Williams, Judge Lewis was appointed by President Grant
chief justice of the territory of Washington, an honor conferred upon him
without his knowledge, as he knew nothing of the matter until receiving his
commission. Being assigned to Seattle,
the judge removed to that city in April, 1875, and continued in office until
January, 1879, in the meantime holding court in Seattle, Steilacoom, Tacoma,
Port Townsend and Laconner, discharging the duties
imposed upon him with unwavering firmness and fidelity. Subsequently continuing the practice of his
profession in Seattle for a number of years, Judge Lewis was counsel in many
cases of importance, notable among them being those of the Walls,
Fargo & Co. with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and the Port
Madison Mill cases. In 1885, during the
heated controversy between the city of Seattle and the Union Pacific Railroad
Company, he was a member of the territorial house of
representatives, and looked well after the interests of the city and
county. Always greatly interested in
educational matters, Judge Lewis was one of the committee of fifteen that
organized the present school system of Seattle.
While in Washington he was also interested in financial affairs, and in
1883 organized the Yakima National Bank, of which he was president until 1889. Disposing then of his stock, he resigned the
presidency, but in November, 1890, was again elected to that office. He also assisted in organizing, in 1887, the
banking corporation of Dexter Horton & Co., and is still a stockholder
and a director in the company. In 1888
and 1889 he served as chairman of the building committee that erected the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1890 served as a member of the Seattle
Charter Commission, and in September, 1890, was a delegate to San
Francisco.
Retiring from his professional duties in
1892, Judge Lewis has since been a resident of San Jose, and has been actively
identified with the promotion and advancement of its horticultural, financial,
moral and educational progress. He owns
a fine ranch of ninety acres on Monterey road, where he has set out and
improved a valuable orchard, and in 1901 he built, on Sixth street,
his present beautiful residence which is artistically furnished after the
mission style, now so popular. He is
connected with the San Jose Bank as one of its directors. In July, 1902, Judge Lewis was appointed on
the city school board to fill a vacancy, and in July, 1903, was reappointed to
the same office for a term of four years.
He has served as president of the board from the time of his first
appointment, and through his influence many important and needed changes in the
school system and management have been made.
The amount allowed for teachers’ salaries has been increased from $8,000
to $11,500, and the treasury, so far from being depleted, will have a surplus
at the end of the fiscal year of 1904.
In January, 1859, in Washington, Iowa,
Judge Lewis married Mary A. Chapman, who was born in Marietta, Ohio, of
English ancestry. She was a refined,
cultured woman, active in benevolent and charitable circles. Her death occurred in San Jose October 7,
1895. The present Mrs. Lewis was
formerly Mrs. Eliza A. Richards, a sister of the late
Dr. Bullard of Oregon, who was at one time governor of Idaho. The Bullards are of
Quaker stock, the family being well known in Indiana. Mrs. Lewis takes an active interest in
charitable work, and was of great assistance in the organization of the Woman’s
Exchange of San Jose, of which she has been president ever since its
foundation.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 505-506. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Donna Toole.