Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-08

Lewis. governor OF Wisconsin when
the civil var was in progress, uttered
these words when union soldiers fought
at the front: "He who Is not a faithful
friend to his country in this trying
hour is no friend OF mine"
Today that man lies cold in death at
his home i'm this city. He passed away
shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday
morning. His children were at his
bedside when the end came.
Gov. Lewis was the last of Wiscon-
sins war governors to die. He had
been sick for months.
Though death was expected hourly
for the past two days. announcement
that the former governor had passed
away came as a shock TO his friends in
his home city and throughout the state.
He practically starved to death, due TO
paralysis OF the tongue and mouth,
which made it impossible for him to
take nOurishmenL
Leaves a Fortune.
No arrangements have been made
for the funeral. but 1t is not improb-
able that il will be held Sunday. Past
and present state officials, as well as
well known politicians and others from
different states. will attend.
Gov. Lewis is survived by one daugn-
ter and two sons. They are Mrs. Will
lam Buckley OF Chicago. Charles Lewis
OF ST. Paul and Felden Lewis of Yer
million. :. ID. All were at his bedside
when he passed away and they viii re-
main i'm Columbus until after the fu-
neral.
Gov. lewis was reputed TO be a
wealthy man and 1t is estimated that
he leaves a fortune OF about S250,000.
Not long ago he drew up his will and
at the time il was announced that he
arranged to leave all his property 10
his children.
Governor James Taylor Lewis was
a native OF Clarendon. Orleans county,
New Orleans county. New York, was
born October 80. 1919. From the union
Of Shubael Lewis and Eleanor Robert
son. seven children were born, and of
these James was the third child and
third son. His paternal grandfather,
Samuel Lewis. was a native of New
England and lived for a time at Brim-
field. Mass. This branch Of the family
is OF English lineage. with probably a
slight admixture OF Welsh. From the
maternal side he received a strong in
fusion of Scotch blOOd-a blood prepO-
tent TO a high degree I'm its assimila-
ton with others with which IL COM
miugles. The Lewises were first known
In the New York village already men
toned. The family must have been
fairly well-tO-dO, for we learn that
James had completed the English and
classic courses at Clarzson college and
Clinton seminary. New York, and was
prepared for admission TO the bar be
fore he had attained his twenty
year.
AS early as the year 1S45, anticipat-
ing by many years the wisdom and i'm
p0rtance of Horace Greeley's advice
TO young men about going west, he re.
moved 10 Wisconsin and opened a law
Office in Columbus, where for nearly
sixty years he had since resided. The
following year he returned TO his old
home and was married TO Miss Orlina
NJ. Sturges. the beautiful and cultured
daughter of a prominent m srchant and
esteemed citizen Of ClaredOn. From
this marriage four children were born,
Henry 5. the eldest, who died in in
fancy; Selden J.. so named for his
fathers early friend and benefactOr,
the eminent Judge Selden, and some
time governor OF New York; Charles
r.. named for the late Charles ID. Rob.
fnson OF Green Bay, an esteemed friend
Of the family in pioneer days in Wis.
C0nsin. and Mrs. Anna L. Dudley, the
accomplished wife OF Mr.. Frank bud.
ley. long a highly trusted official OF
the Chicago, Milwaukee G. St Paul
Railway company i'm Chicago. The
elder son. Selden, is a prominent law
yer of Vermilion. South Dakota
Charles r.. the younger son, has for
many years held important and re-
sponsible official positions with the St
Paul railway in Minneapolis.
Declining tempting inducements "a
open a law Office i'm a neighbOring town
near his old home in New York. young
Lewis. with his bride, removed in
July. 1876. TO Columbus. where he had
since resided. This happy union was
severed, however, by the death of Mrs
Lewis. in 1903.
Tru0u his arrival I'm the territory
Mr.. Lewis, at once. began practice OF
law and was early admitted TO the bar
ur the supreme court While Wiscon
sin was still a territory, he was chosen
probate or county judge. and a few
years later was elected district attor
ney for Columbia county. Our young
attorneys law practice was early in
terrupted by calls 10 the public service
and the aIlurements and destinations
offered by business inducements in q
new country. In 1913 he was chosen