1914 Biography - John C. Lewis

Lewis, John C., ex-mayor, Franklin, St. Mary parish, La., was born at Harrisonburg, Catahoula parish, La., Nov. 29, 1861; the only child; son of John C. and Eliza E. (Mayo) Lewis, the father's life coming to a tragic end when the son was only 1 year old, and the bereaved mother dying 1 year later. In regard to the father, the following article, written by Hon. Thomas H. Lewis of Opelousas, was addressed to Dr. T. P. Frere concerning the life of John C. Lewis, Sr., whose son is an ex-mayor and a beloved citizen of Franklin. It needs no introduction; the contents are self-explanatory concerning the life of a great man who gave all in the service of his country. It may also be said, too, that the son is a worthy descendant of a noble sire, and inherits many of the sterling qualities of his illustrious father. "Opelousas, La., Feb. 17, 1913. Dr. T. F. Frere, Franklin, La. My Dear Cousin: I enclose herewith copies of a sketch which I wrote during the war concerning the personality of my cousin and foster-brother, John C. Lewis, the father of your John C. Lewis. He was killed in the latter part of the year 1862, in a skirmish with the Federal troops, as narrated in the sketch. He left the town of Harrisonburg, in Catahoula parish at the beginning of the war, for the army, being at that time associated with me in the practice of law. A short time before leaving Harrisonburg for the front, he married a Miss Eliza Mayo, whose father had been judge of the district, and who was a member of the most prominent family residing in that section. He never saw his wife after leaving for the army. His son being born thereafter, father and son never met. The child, at its birth, was given a different name, but after his father's death his name was changed to that of his father. Though I had several brothers, John and I were closer to each other than was I and any of my own brothers. We slept together from childhood, and were inseparable companions up to manhood. When I settled in the parish of Catahoula to practice law at Harrisonburg, he followed me and became associated with me, because of the strong bonds of affection between us. I think he was as fine a specimen of physical manhood as I ever saw. Over six feet in height, erect, of commanding bearing, with a noble head and strong features, he attracted attention wherever he went. During the brief period that he practiced his profession he evinced such ability that it was predicted by his brother members of the bar that he would attain great prominence in his chosen profession. He was high-spirited and fearless, and warmly espoused the cause of the South. Among the thousands of valuable lives which the South offered up in vindication of what our people believed to be a just cause, there was no nobler sacrifice offered upon the altar of our country than the life which John C. Lewis freely gave in her defense. His surviving son has just cause to cherish the memory of his noble father. Very sincerely yours, Thomas H. Lewis, Sr." From the sketches to which this letter refers, the following brief extracts are made: "Alexandria, La., 1862 Killed in battle near Denmark, Tenn., on the 1st of Sept., 1862, John C. Lewis, aged 27 years and 11 months. The subject of this brief notice met his death in the guise in which he had often been heard to say that he most coveted - there was no mangling of limbs, no lingering bed of suffering; the missile of death went straight to the seat of vitality, and the instant he was struck his spirit fled to his maker. Let us make as fitting a tribute as we may to the dead for his manly form, his strong arm, and his courageous heart, he voluntarily held up as a barrier between us and the merciless invader, and now, alas, he lies moldering in the grave - the grave of the soldier, the patriot, and the hero. * * * He sought the front of the battle, and there he fell, within reach of the enemy, his horse in full career and his sword uplifted to strike down the foe. Let us respect his memory; let us cherish the name and deeds of the brave man, the devoted patriot who fell prematurely, striking to hurl back the tide of invasion that has marked its progress with so much of blood and suffering. With this noble purpose he faced the danger and exposure of warfare uncomplainingly, and when the time came he offered up his life courageously, unflinchingly. Among his fellow men he was full of the impulses of generosity, fidelity and truth, and to his relatives and friends he was bound as with hooks of steel." The following extracts are taken from a letter written by a comrade of the deceased, and afford an eloquent and truthful tribute to his memory: "I saw on yesterday, B., 1 of the 6 men of the Tensas cavalry who were at first reported to have been killed in the late battle near Denmark, Tenn. Instead of being killed, B. was captured by the enemy. He was with Dr. Lithman, our surgon, burying the dead on the 2nd of September, the day after the fight. They found 4 of the Tensas cavalry dead on the field. They were buried and their graves marked. They were Lieut. Montgomery and privates Lewis, Briscoe, and Swayze. Private John C. Lewis had been struck by a grapeshot above the right eye. His horse was killed at the same instant, so that horse and rider fell dead together. In communicating to you this melancholy fact, I cannot let the occasion pass without speaking of Mr. Lewis, who was a cavalier without fear or reproach. Every man who has ever been in the Tensas cavalry can testify that his deportment on all occasions was that of the high-toned gentleman, the devoted patriot, and the intrepid soldier. * * * On one occasion I have in mind the enemy came upon us unawares - surprised us completely, and were within thirty yards of us, opening fire, before we were aware of their presence. The officers, seeing that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to form the men in line under fire, ordered a charge, but all remained immovable, no one stirring, until John C. Lewis, driving his spurs into his horse's flanks, and dashing off at the enemy, cried out 'Charge them, boys !' His gallantry had the happiest effect - it was contagious. The entire regiment charged with him, routed the foe and drove him back, with considerable loss to the main body of the Federal army. He was regarded by his whole company as one of the best soldiers in the Confederate army. He served for more than a year, and was never absent from duty but once, and on that one occasion he was confined with camp fever. During the period of his service he was a participant in twelve skirmishes and two battles, and had two horses killed under him, one at Corinth and one at Denmark. He fell within ten feet of the cannon's mouth, and the last words he was heard to utter were 'Charge them, boys!' The South had no braver soldier to die in her behalf. T. H. L." Following the death of his mother, the two-year-old son, John C. Lewis, Jr., was taken by an uncle, Spencer Mayo, to Vidalia, where he remained until eight years old, when he was taken to Franklin to live with his grandmother, Mrs. Mary H. Anderson, formerly Mrs. Lewis, at her sugar plantation home near Franklin. This continued to be the home of the boy throughout the years of his youth. He attended private schools at the town of Franklin, and later entered Louisiana State university, then under the presidency of Col. D. P. Boyd, where he remained until the senior year. Returning to Franklin in 1879, he was for a time overseer on the Anderson plantation. In 1893 he became established in general insurance business at Franklin, and since that time has successfully conducted that business under the firm name of J. Lewis & Co., Miss Ella M. Johnson, a cousin, being the silent member of the firm. Mr. Lewis affiliated with the democratic party. In 1900 he was elected mayor of the city of Franklin, and for 4 succeeding terms has been reelected without opposition, his incumbency of the office at this time extending over a period of ten years. Mr. Lewis is unmarried.

Extracted 2020 Nov 01 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 253-256. Note: There is much more about the Lewis family history in this book.