An able and influential member of the Illinois bar, Steven C. Lewis has
long enjoyed a substantial law practice, and now, as county judge of
Richland county, is fast building up an enviable reputation as a wise and
impartial dispenser of justice. A son of the late William Lewis, he was born
September 12, 1862, in Lawrence county, Illinois, of pioneer stock. His
paternal grandfather, Joseph Lewis, migrated from North Carolina to Illinois
in an early period of its settlement, and having taken up land from the
government improved a good homestead, on which he spent his remaining days.
Born in North Carolina, William Lewis was but a child when he came
with his parents to Lawrence county, Illinois. He was brought up on the home
farm, and continued the pursuit of agriculture during his entire life, being
quite successful in his operations. A man of sterling integrity, he was held
in high respect throughout the community. He was a Democrat in his political
views, but he was not an office seeker. He married Mary Gaddy, who was born
in Tennessee, and came to Illinois with her parents in childhood. Her
father, James Gaddy, served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Migrating
from Tennessee to Illinois, he took up a tract of government land in
Lawrence county, and having improved a good farm was thereafter engaged in
tilling the soil until his death.
Receiving his early education in
the public schools of Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois, Steven C.
Lewis began working on the home farm. His tastes and ambitions, however, as
is natural to a man of his mental calibre, turned towards a professional
life, and he began to read law under Judge Hugh Fields. Having concluded his
studies under the instruction of Judge Frank C. Meserve, Mr. Lewis was
admitted to the bar in 1892, and immediately began the practice of his
chosen profession at Sumner, Illinois, where he met with such encouraging
success that he continued there -sixteen years. Coming to Olney, Illinois,
in 1908, Mr. Lewis immediately became prominent not only in professional
circles, but in public affairs, within a year being elected city attorney.
In 1911 he was nominated for county judge on the Republican ticket, and
notwithstanding that the county is a Democratic stronghold was elected by a
good majority, his vote at the polls bespeaking his popularity with all
classes of people, regardless of party affiliations. Judge Lewis is admitted
to practice in all the courts, and has a large and remunerative patronage.
Starting in life as a farmer's lad, he has gradually climbed the ladder of
success, and through his own efforts has become exceedingly prosperous, in
addition to having a valuable practice being the owner of two highly
improved farms and city property of value. Fraternally the Judge is
prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Sumner Lodge, No. 364,
Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Chapter No. 35, Royal Arch
Masons; and of Gorin Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar.
Judge
Lewis married, in 1880, Elizabeth Wright, a daughter of Rev. James B.
Wright, a preacher in the Christian church, who as a pioneer of Lawrence
county entered land from the government, and on the farm which he improved
spent his remaining years. The Judge and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of five
children, namely: Gallic, wife of F. W. Westall, a dry goods merchant in
Sumner, Illinois; Olive M., a school teacher, who is highly educated, and in
addition to having traveled extensively in the United States will spend the
summer of 1912 in Europe; Ethel D., a teacher in the Bridgeport, Illinois,
high school; 0. E., a lawyer, in partnership with his father, is prominent
in fraternal circles, being a Mason and a leading member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks; and Lawrence D., who is attending school.
Judge Lewis and his family are members of the Christian church, and in their
everyday life exemplify its teachings.
Extracted 13 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, pages 1273-1274.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
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Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
