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Lee County Biography IRA W. LEWIS
Ira W. Lewis, who is serving as deputy circuit clerk, his connection with that position covering many years, while almost his entire life has been devoted to public office, was born in Broome county, New York, April 3, 1842, a son of Hiel and Eveline Lewis, who came to Lee county in the year of their son's birth. The father, a farmer by occupation, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and was continuously engaged in the tilling of the soil until he passed away in 1880. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was accounted one of the worthy and representative citizens of the community. The mother has also departed this life. In their family were six children, four of whom are now deceased. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to a remote period. The grandfather was a son of Nathaniel Lewis, junior, who was born in Vermont, but spent the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania. He was a descendant of George Lewis, who came from England in 1650 and settled in the Green Mountain state.
Ira W. Lewis had a public-school education and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of planting, plowing and harvesting. He remained upon the farm until 1863, and since that time has given almost his undivided attention to the duties of public office. He spent four years in the position of deputy sheriff and in 1868 was made deputy circuit clerk, which office he filled for twelve years. He was then elected circuit clerk and remained the incumbent for twenty years. He is now again deputy circuit clerk and thus his connection with the position has covered about forty-five years. There is no one in Lee county so familiar with the office and all that appertains thereto. He has ever been prompt and systematic in the discharge of his duties and a well trained mind keeps him in touch with the work of the office so that he can refer to any point or fact needed at a moment's notice.
On the 21st of March, 1867. Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Marilla M. Williams, a daughter of Cyrus Williams, who came to this city in 1839. He was a millwright by trade and as one of the pioneers became closely connected with industrial interests here at a very early day.
Mr. Lewis holds membership with the Modem Woodmen of America and his political support has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Over his public record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Abraham Lincoln once said: "You may fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." This statement finds verification nowhere as much as it does in public office. An incompetent man may be called to public office, but his inefficiency is soon demonstrated and when a man has again and again been chosen for a position of public trust it is evident that he is worthy of the place to which he is called. While Mr. Lewis has now passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he is still active in public office and his entire record is one which has gained for him well merited commendation and indorsement.
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