James T. Lewis

Lewis was born in Clarendon in Orleans County, New York, the third son of Shubael Lewis, a farmer and colonel in the New York State militia after the War of 1812, and Eleanor Lewis (née Robertson). He had three brothers, William L. Lewis, Shubael R. Lewis, and Hiram W Lewis.[2]

He taught school briefly in the district schools around Clarkson. In 1842, he began the study of law with former New York lieutenant governor Henry R. Selden.[2] In 1845 he moved to what is now Columbus, Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the bar.

Between 1846 and 1852, Lewis held the positions of district attorney and county judge and was elected to terms in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the State Senate. He was also a member or the Wisconsin Constitutional Convention of 1847–1848, representing Columbia County. Lewis was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Columbus (Columbia Lodge #40) and served as Noble Grand of the Lodge in 1851. He also served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 1854 to 1856, Wisconsin secretary of state from 1862 to 1864.

Nominated by the Union Republicans for governor, Lewis was elected and served as Governor of Wisconsin from January 6, 1864 until January 5, 1866. He was the last Wisconsin governor to hold the office during the Civil War.[3] and was concerned during his tenure with providing sufficient troops for the Civil War and helping to protect them and their dependents. He visited troops in the field and helped establish hospitals in Wisconsin for the care of the wounded. Refusing renomination in 1865, he was offered a diplomatic post by President Lincoln, but chose instead to return to his law practice in Columbus.

Lewis died in Columbus, Wisconsin, on August 4, 1904. He is interred at Hillside Cemetery, Columbus, Columbia County, Wisconsin. His former home, now known as the Gov. James T. Lewis House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

Lewis married Orlina M. Sturgis and they had four children.

• Sobel, Robert; Raimo, John W. (1978). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978, Volume IV (illustrated ed.). Meckler Books. ISBN 978-0-930-46604-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• White, James Terry (1904). The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume XII. J.T. White.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

• National Governors Association
• James T. Lewis at Find a Grave