The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-06

his thirteenth year and renamed there un-
I'll his twentieth year. when he removed
70 New York csty. 1t was In that city thar
he received his early eaucaf. on whach
fitted him for the great career before him.
While he was IN New York ne was en-
plOyed by the well-known house of Cham
beers, Heiser & Co. the large dry goods
merchants. After serving his time in this
great importing house. he looked about
for some field where ne could brzld UP a
business for himself. In company with
l.. II. Allen, he ieft New York on Febru-
airy Is. 1851. for the Pacific coast. via the
Panama route. He arrived sn San Fran
cisco March o OF die same year remain
ing until the following June. during wh.cn
time he made all his prepare tons for
starting in business in Portland then
mere village of a few hundred inhabitants.
Mr.. Lewis reached Portland June 9. and
Immediately opened a business house
there.
In 1852. owing TO the enforced absence OF
Mr.. Allen in the East. the house OF Allen
e. Lewis was closed. Mr.. Lewis returning
10 San Francisco. For a period of a year
following ne was connected with the San
Francisco house of Eugene Kelly 4 Co.
In 1888. on the return OF Mr.. Allen from
the East, the house of Allen & Lewis was
once more established IN Portland. and
since that time has been the largest whole
sale grocery house, and one OF the most
important shipping firms on the Coast.
In 1851 Mr. Lewis was married 10 Miss
Clensntins r. Couch. daughter of Capt.
Couch. one of the beet known business
men of Portland IN early days. A family
OF eleven children, all now grown, was the
result OF this union
Mr.. Lewis always refused TO take sny
part IN politics. lie was frequently i'm
portuned 10 allow his name TO become a
candidate for some position of political
preferment, but always declined 10 allow
his name to be used.
He was a prominent Mason and one OF
the pillars Of Trinity church. In a quiet
and unassuming way he has contributed
largely to charitable Institutions. and
large share OF the good he has done by
private charity will never be known.
While It was Mr.. Lewis aim to confne
his attention 10 the management of his
own affairs. he was not 1ereiict IN his as
sistancs 70 enterprises that promised any
lasting benefit 70 the welfare OF the city.
He subscribed 10 several large enterprises.
and all institutions OF which he was an
active member are sure 70 be found on the
same firm basis on which stood the great
house he founded. He was a director in
the Security SAVINGS & Trust Company.
and in several other heavy banking insti-
tutions. The only public position he held
was that Of member OF the water COM
mslttce
The history OF Mr. Lewis from The time
he opened a small grocery business in
Portland TIL the present greatness Of his
firm Is n history OF the husines life Of
Portland When ne first began business
he was agent for the Adams Express Com
pany. and for line OF steamships from
San Francisco. Thus nearly all Of the
early commerce between oregon and Cali
fornia passed through his hands. In his
lifetime he saw the little village on the
banks % the Willamette grow to the me-
fropciis u oregon. lie has seen
nls own business grow 10 be the largest
north cf San Francisco.
During his lifetime he accumulated an
ample fortune. bat although ahuadantlv
able 70 retire from business years ago. he
persisted tn keeping his desk, ard vas the
hardest worker in his office.
SIR Lrwis was possessed Of a keen bust
ness Judgment. shrewd conservatism and
q remarkable energy. combination rarely
met with in one man. IFS tireiess atten-
t1oa 20 every detail or his business was A
heavy strain o. BIS sifal forces. sna un-
doubleday fastened His death.