S.W. Lewis History of the State of Montana, by Joaquim Miller, 1894 S.W. Lewis--in the person of this gentleman we find a large volume of fraternal feeling, hope, perseverance and fortitude as will be observed as we follow his footsteps through life. Mr. Lewis was born in the West Indies May 19, 1835. When a small child he came with his parents to the United Statesand located in Newark, New Jersey where his boyhood days were spent. His mother died in 1814 and his father in 1847,leaving young Lewis and a younger sister. From 1847 to 1852 he spent in traveling from town to town and in the various places where he stopped working at his trade, that of barber. He soon became eager to see the great West and at the same time he had great concern for the welfare of his sister, Edmonia. He finally secured her a home in thefamily of Captain S.R. Mills, where he knew she would be kindly treated, and where he paid her tuition at school.His anxiety with regard to her thus being relieved, in the spring of 1852 he went to California. Upon his arrival in California, Mr. Lewis opened a barbershop on Commercial Street, San Francisco, where he did a goodbusiness for two years. Next he went to Sierra County, California where he engaged in barbering and also in mining,continuing the same successfully until 1862. Failing health at that time caused him to relinquish his hold on business and the following two years he spent in travel, visiting the various cities and other points of interest in Europe and also stopping for a time at the West Indies. He returned to San Francisco in 1864 but as business was somewhat dull there at that time he directed his course toward Portland Oregon and soon afterward went to Idaho City.At the last named place he engaged in business, erecting buildings, etc., and in 1866 met with misfortune in the way of fire, two of his fine buildings being consumed. And we here state that before starting on his trip to Europe andwhile operating in Sierra County, he accumulated $5,000 in gold, which he had on deposit with two different firms in San Francisco. Both of these firms failed and he lost every dollar. But not discouraged he went to work with renewed vigor to make more. In 1866 he made a tour of Montana, visiting Virginia City, Helena and other points and finally located at Elk Creek where he purchased a lot and erected a building. Later in the season, however, he changed his residence to Helena, where he was engaged in business until late in 1867. He then opened a shop in Radersburg and at the same time traveled and worked at his trade in other mining camps. He had in the meantime traveled with shows, he being an expert sleight-of-hand performer and a first class musician. And all these years be it said to his credit that he never indulged in strong drink and never gambled; in fact he did not know one card from another. Although far away from his sister, Mr. Lewis still paid her expenses at school, first at McGrawville, New York and afterward at Oberlin College, Ohio. While at Oberlin she first showed talent as a sculptor. One of the professors in the college had a peculiar visage and wore glasses. There had been some putty left in the college building by repairing workmen and this putty she used in making a bust model of the professor, which she had on her stand in herroom and which, when observed by ladies visiting the college was pronounced an excellent likeness. These friends advised her to cultivate her talent in that art. She accordingly consulted her brother by letter and he cordially entered into the plan and furnished her means with which to go to Boston, where she placed herself under the instruction of an eminent sculptor, Professor Brackett. She soon passed beyond his ability to teach her and her brother, pleased with her progress, furnished her the means to continue her studies in Italy. Hon. William Seward was then Secretary of State and from him she received letters of introduction to the American consuls at Florence and Paris, who paid her marked attention. She arduously pursued her studies as a sculptor and soon became master of her profession. The name of Edmonia Lewis, a resident of Paris, France is now known the world over as a famous sculptor. She has produced many noted pieces of art and received a gold medal from King Victor Emanuel of Italy as a mark of his appreciation of her taste and skill. It is needless to say that no one feels prouder of her accomplishments than her brother. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Lewis came to Bozeman and established himself in business on Main Street where he has since continued successfully. In 1870 he erected his business house on Main Street and since then he has from time to timeput up other buildings in the town, which he rents. In 1890 he completed his present handsome and commodious brick residence, fronting on Bozeman Street, which with its beautiful lawn and fine shade trees, forms one of the most delightful homes in the city. Mr. Lewis was married August 1, 1883 to Malissa Bruce, nee Rabila, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri. They have one child, Samuel E., aged seven years. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Baptist Church and is a woman of many estimable qualities. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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