LEWIS, John O., Catahoula Parish, then St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
Source:
Date: Jul, 1998




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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 253-256.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Lewis, John O., ex-mayor, Franklin, St. Mary parish, La., was born at
Harrisonburg, Catahoula parish, La., Nov. 29, 1861; the only child; son of
John C. and Eliza E. (Mayo) Lewis, the father's life coming to a tragic end
when the son was only 1 year old, and the bereaved mother dying 1 year later. 
In regard to the father, the following article, written by Hon. Thomas H.
Lewis of Opelousas, was addressed to Dr. T. P. Frere concerning the life of
John C. Lewis, Sr., whose son is an ex-mayor and a beloved citizen of
Franklin.  It needs no introduction; the contents are self-explanatory
concerning the life of a great man who gave all in the service of his country. 
It may also be said, too, that the son is a worthy descendant of a noble sire,
and inherits many of the sterling qualities of his illustrious father. 
''Opelousas, La., Feb. 17, 1913.  Dr. T. P. Frere, Franklin, La.  My Dear
Cousin:  I enclose herewith copies of a sketch which I wrote during the war
concerning the personality of my cousin and foster-brother, John C. Lewis, the
father of your John C. Lewis.  He was killed in the latter part of the year
1862, in a skirmish with the Federal troops, as narrated in the sketch.  He
left the town of Harrisonburg, in Catahoula parish at the beginning of the
war, for the army, being at that time associated with me in the practice of
law.  A short time before leaving Harrisonburg for the front, he married a
Miss Eliza Mayo, whose father had been judge of the district, and who was a
member of the most prominent family residing in that section.  He never saw
his wife after leaving for the army.  His son being born thereafter, father
and son never met.  The child, at its birth, was given a different name, but
after his father's death his name was changed to that of his father.  Though I
had several brothers, John and I were closer to each other than was I and any
of my own brothers.  We slept together from childhood, and were inseparable
companions up to manhood.  When I settled in the parish of Catahoula to
practice law at Harrisonburg, he followed me and became associated with me,
because of the strong bonds of affection between us.  I think he was as fine a
specimen of physical manhood as I ever saw.  Over six feet in height, erect,
of commanding bearing, with a noble head and strong features, he attracted
attention wherever he went.  During the brief period that he practiced his
profession he evinced such ability that it was predicted by his brother
members of the bar that he would attain great prominence in his chosen
profession.  He was high-spirited and fearless, and warmly espoused the cause
of the South.  Among the thousands of valuable lives which the South offered
up in vindication of what our people believed to be a just cause, there was no
nobler sacrifice offered upon the altar of our country than the life which
John C. Lewis freely gave in her defense.  His surviving son has just cause to
cherish the memory of his noble father.  Very sincerely yours, Thomas H.
Lewis, Sr."  From the sketches to which this letter refers, the following
brief extracts are made:  "Alexandria, La., 1862  Killed in battle near
Denmark, Tenn., on the 1st of Sept., 1862, John C. Lewis, aged 27 years and 11
months.  The subject of this brief notice met his death in the guise in which
he had often been heard to say that he most coveted--there was no mangling of
limbs, no lingering bed of suffering; the missile of death went straight to
the seat of vitality, and the instant he was struck his spirit fled to his
maker.  Let us make as fitting a tribute as we may to the dead for his manly
form, his strong arm, and his courageous heart, he voluntarily held up as a
barrier between us and the merciless invader, and now, alas, he lies moldering
in the grave--the grave of the soldier, the patriot, and the hero. * * * He
sought the front of the battle, and there he fell, within reach of the enemy,
his horse in full career and his sword uplifted to strike down the foe.  Let
us respect his memory; let us cherish the name and deeds of the brave man, the
devoted patriot who fell prematurely, striking to hurl back the tide of
invasion that has marked its progress with so much of blood and suffering. 
With this noble purpose he faced the danger and exposure of warfare
uncomplainingly, and when the time came he offered up his life courageously,
unflinchingly.  Among his fellow men he was full of the impulses of
generosity, fidelity and truth, and to his relatives and friends he was bound
as with hooks of steel."  The following extracts are taken from a letter
written by a comrade of the deceased, and afford an eloquent and truthful
tribute to his memory:  "I saw on yesterday, B., 1 of the 6 men of the Tensas
cavalry who were at first reported to have been killed in the late battle near
Denmark, Tenn.  Instead of being killed, B. was captured by the enemy.  He was
with Dr. Lithman, our surgon, burying the dead on the 2nd of September, the
day after the fight.  They found 4 of the Tensas cavalry dead on the field. 
They were buried and their graves marked.  They were Lieut. Montgomery and
privates Lewis, Briscoe, and Swayze.  Private John C. Lewis had been struck by
a grapeshot above the right eye.  His horse was killed at the same instant, so
that horse and rider fell dead together.  In communicating to you this
melancholy fact, I cannot let the occasion pass without speaking of Mr. Lewis,
who was a cavalier without fear or reproach.  Every man who has ever been in
the Tensas cavalry can testify that his deportment on all occasions was that
of the hightoned gentleman, the devoted patriot, and the intrepid soldier. * *
* On one occasion I have in mind the enemy came upon us unawares--surprised us
completely, and were within thirty yards of us, opening fire, before we were
aware of their presence.  The officers, seeing that it would be difficult, if
not impossible, to form the men in line under fire, ordered a charge, but all
remained immovable, no one stirring, until John C. Lewis, driving his spurs
into his horse's flanks, and dashing off at the enemy, cried out 'Charge them,
boys !'  His gallantry had the happiest effect--it was contagious.  The entire
regiment charged with him, routed the foe and drove him back, with
considerable loss to the main body of the Federal army.  He was regarded by
his whole company as one of the best soldiers in the Confederate army.  He
served for more than a year, and was never absent from duty but once, and on
that one occasion he was confined with camp fever.  During the period of his
service he was a participant in twelve skirmishes and two battles, and had 
two horses killed under him, one at Corinth and one at Denmark.  He fell
within ten feet of the cannon's mouth, and the last words he was heard to
utter were 'Charge them, boys!'  The South had no braver soldier to die in her
behalf.  T. H. L."  Following the death of his mother, the two-year-old son,
John C. Lewis, Jr., was taken by an uncle, Spencer Mayo, to Vidalia, where he
remained until eight years old, when he was taken to Franklin to live with his
grandmother, Mrs. Mary H. Anderson, formerly Mrs. Lewis, at her sugar
plantation home near Franklin.  This continued to be the home of the boy
throughout the years of his youth.  He attended private schools at the town of
Franklin, and later entered Louisiana State university, then under the
presidency of Col. D. P. Boyd, where he remained until the senior year. 
Returning to Franklin in 1879, he was for a time overseer on the Anderson
plantation.  In 1893 he became established in general insurance business at
Franklin, and since that time has successfully conducted that business under
the firm name of J. Lewis & Co., Miss Ella M. Johnson, a cousin, being the
silent member of the firm.  Mr. Lewis affiliated with the democratic party. 
In 1900 he was elected mayor of the city of Franklin, and for 4 succeeding
terms has been reëlected without opposition, his incumbency of the office at
this time extending over a period of ten years.  Mr. Lewis is unmarried.