J.C. Lewis, M.D.

Dr. J. C. Lewis, one of the most prominent and deservedly successful physicians and surgeons in Waukon, has been a resident of the state of Iowa since 1864. He is, however, a native of Wisconsin, born in Dunkirk, April 20, 1858, a son of U. F. Lewis. The father was a native of New York state and went as a pioneer to Wisconsin, where in the early days he engaged in carpentering. He there married Miss Eliza J. Stillwell, a sister of C. S. and H. H. Stillwell of Waukon. In 1864, U. F. Lewis moved to Iowa and located at Buckland, where he worked at his trade for some time, later establishing himself in the grocery business there. He continued to make his home in Buckland until he moved to Waukon, where the last years of his life were spent. His wife survived him only a short time. In their family were two children: Dr. J. C. of this review; and Jessie M., who is well known in educational circles of this county as one of the most efficient teachers in the Waukon schools.

Dr. Lewis was still a child when he came with his parents to Waukon and he was here reared and educated, supplementing a course in the public schools by four years’ attendance at the State University, where he completed a medical course, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1889. He immediately afterward located in Ridgeway, in Winneshiek county, where he began the practice of his profession and where for twenty-two years he continued to reside, becoming well known as an able and successful physician. While still a resident of that city he served as a member of the town council and as mayor and was for some time a member of the board of health. In 1911 he returned to Waukon where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has demonstrated his skill in the successful handling of a number of complex medical problems and has already built up a good practice. Dr. Lewis is a far-sighted business man as well as an able physician and has made some excellent investments in Florida lands as well as in Waukon city property and in Iowa farms, and has now extensive and important real-estate holdings.

In 1886 Dr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss May B. Lowe, who was born, reared and educated in Waukon. She is a daughter of Hosea Lowe, a pioneer merchant in that city, who was identified with the hardware business here for a number of years. Dr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of two children. The elder, Laura J., was educated in the Ridgeway high school, where she finished the course and was graduated. She died August 18, 1908, at the age of seventeen. The other daughter, Elizabeth M., is now a student in the Waukon high school.

Dr. Lewis is a Master Mason and well known in the local lodge of the fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mrs. Lewis being a member of the auxiliary societies and an active Sunday school worker. Dr. Lewis is a member of the official board and is also acting as steward. He is a man of exemplary life, of generous standards and high principles, and his industry, ability and enterprise have found a rich reward in the high esteem his acquaintances place upon him as a man and a physician.

-transcribed by Linda Earnheart

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