MAJOR R. ALLYN LEWIS
History of Arizona, 1896

This gentleman, who is general agent of the New York Life 
Insurance Company for the territory of Arizona, was born in St. 
Louis, Mo., in July, 1866.  His father was a lawyer by profession, 
but, being a man of considerable means, he did not practice very 
extensively, spending his time instead in travel. When but a 
small boy our subject left St. Louis and went to New York City, 
where he received a collegiate education. Leaving school without 
graduation, he spent two years in travel and then settled in San 
Francisco in 1885 and remained there over a year, being connected 
with Payot, Upham and Company, wholesale stationers of that place. 
He resigned his position with them to accept a similar one with 
Messrs. Kales and Lewis of Phoenix in March, 1887.  Their bank 
was changed to The National Bank of Arizona in August 1887, and 
the major remained with them until March 1894, when he resigned 
his position as assistant cashier to associate himself with 
Howard C. Boone, then Territorial auditor, in the management of 
the affairs of the New York Life. This partnership lasted until 
Mr. Boone left the territory in March 1895 when Major Lewis was 
appointed general agent of the company for the territory.  In 
May 1894 after a hard fought campaign, he was elected to the 
city council from the Second ward of Phoenix, which position he 
still fills, being chairman of the finance committee of that 
body.  From the organization of the National Guard of the 
territory he has taken a great interest in that organization. 

Joining Company "B" in 1890, he was promoted successively though 
the non-commissioned grades and on the reorganization in 1891 was 
made first lieutenant and battalion adjutant, retaining that 
position until 1892, when he was commissioned major.  At the 
present time he is the acting inspector general of the Guard, 
being an acting member of the general staff. He had been a hard 
worker in this line and has done much to improve the efficiency 
of the Guard.  The major is also deputy bank comptroller of the 
Territory, and in that capacity makes most of the examinations 
of the Territorial banks required by law. He has firm faith in 
the future prosperity of Phoenix and backs his faith with money, 
having considerable invested in city real estate.  He is also 
prominent in financial affairs of the territory and by his faith 
in property values and connection with capitalists East and West 
has done considerable to attract capital here and lower the rates 
of interest.  As an accountant Mr. Lewis reputation stands very 
high in this and other communities, the calls upon his time for 
expert work being frequently so numerous that he has had to 
decline, in justice to his other business, to accept any further 
employment in that line.  As an active producer of business and 
for general administrative ability he stands very high with his 
company, and we predict a bright future for him.  Major Lewis 
was married October 1888 to Miss Laetitia McDermott of New York 
City and they have three interesting children.

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