The morning call., 1892-02-14
THE ACHIEVEMENTS
or a San Francisco Lady in the
Business World.
The Record of a Real Success.

Marked success in any field Of though, or
action affords encouragement to renewed
effort, TO greater eudeayOT, 10 every toileT in
this WOrk-s-day world Of ours. In such tX-
amples of success no city in the country sur
passes San Francisco either in tie number
or in the extent OF the results attained, and
here, as elsewhere, merited reward las not
been confined TO masculine endeavor, but
feminine achievement has kept even pace.
Early in 1851 there came to California one
of Tenaessee's earnest daughters, the sub
ject Of the present sketch, Mrs. r. G. Lewis.
Born near Nashville, Mrs. Lewis was edu-
Gated in Memphis, Tenn, ard lived in the
latter city until her removal to the Coast.
Sixteen years ago this lady found herself
suddenly and for the first time in her life
confronted with the necessity.of earning her
own living, for her former ample means had
disappeared through channels not necessary
here 10 suggest TO those who know the con-
fdence always placed in mankind by those
Of little business experience and with dis
position ever ready to assist others. How
ever, nothing daunted, Mrs Lewis deter
mined that The exquisite tasteupon which she
had been so frequently CONF imen ed should
Z oW be made the means OF heT support. In
ments in the Thurlow Block immed lately
upon its completion by Mr.. Milton Latham.
Here, in two rooms with six girls, she began
business as a modesto and laid the fouuda-
ton Of what subsequently became one Of
the largest houses of its kind upon the
coast. That popularity which had ever at
tended her, combined with her refined taste,
brought such accessiOus to the number Of
her patrons that two weeks had hardly
rolled by when her employees numbered
eighteen. Soon she found herself compelled
to add to the number until thirty, then forty
skilled employees were kept continuously
busy, and at the present time there are
never less than fifty names upon her pay
roll.
Mrs. Lewis was the first modiste In San
Francisco to use the word parlor in cOnnec-
ton with her business, but she has since
been heard to declare herself as emphatic
ally opposed to designation that through
the commences Of its use had lost all sig
mica nee.
Mrs. Lewis has always maintained a per-
sonal supervision over every department Of
her business, and her patrons have, there
fore, never felt that anxiety concerning the
result of an order intrusted to this house
that so frequently they experience when
dealing with newer or less painstak-
ing modistes. Such conscientious methods
joined TO the refined taste before alluded
10, together with business ability OF the
first order, have Of course brought their
usual reward, and to-day Mrs. Lewis stands
at the head OF her line Of business in San
Francisco, and, In fact, she has now found
herself compelled TO leave the premises in
the building In which she began business
sixteen years ago and remove to more COM
modious apartments at 531 Suffer street,
near Mason. where she is now prepared to
afford her many old patrons the customary
Customary With herr assiduous attention,
and will be pleased to receive the calls of
ladies not heretofore customers, even if not
intending TO at once place their orders, as
she can always find time for a few moments
consultation, aud she is in daily receipt OF
the latest modes and advices, both from
London and Paris, her facilities for obtain
Ing the promptest Of such information being
eXceptiOnals