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Robert
E. Lewis
1825 -
1904
Robert Emmet Lewis, one of
Watertown's most esteemed citizens, died at his home in
Mr. Lewis was born December 23,
1825, at Morrow, Saratoga county, New York; January 30, 1850, he was married at
Glens Falls, New York, to Miss Fannie Parker, of
Parkinsville, Vermont; in 1853 he came west and located in Oshkosh, from where
he engaged in the sash and door business; in 1861 he came to Watertown and in
company with his brother, the late George B. Lewis, bought a sash and door
factory located on the present site of the G. B. Lewis factory in Water Street;
in 1869 he sold his interest to his brother and removed to Iowa; in 1892 he returned
to Watertown and has since made this city his home.
His wife survives him. Two children
were born to them: Hattie, who died in
1868, and Clifton, who died in 1894.
The death of Mr. Lewis is most sincerely
regretted here, for his was one of Watertown's most esteemed citizens, and
during his residence among us he always took a great interest in the welfare of
our city and its citizens, devoting generously of his means to every public
enterprise and bestowing charity and benevolence in many ways, in which he was
always encouraged and aided by his devoted wife.
Besides being generous in a public
way, many people were aided by him privately, and the manner in which he
extended his benevolence was truly edifying, for he did it in a simple,
unostentatious manner, and with genuine sincerity. Very few men enjoyed the
esteem and respect of his fellow citizens at large, as did Mr. Lewis.
He was honest in his business
dealings with others, kind and good-natured to every one, and always a friend
to those in trouble. He was devoted to his wife and home, kind and genial to
his neighbors and his whole nature was kindness. He lived a most excellent
life, and for such a man there is certainly a reward above. He has passed from
earth, but he will live long in the memory of his friends, and his noble
character, his influence for good will survive him.
Watertown Daily Times, 12 09 1904
Funeral of Robert E. Lewis, 12 16 1904
Sunday afternoon the funeral of
Robert E. Lewis took place from his late home in
Rev. Thos. B. Thompson, of the First
Congregational Church, and George C. Weis, of Waukesha, officiated at the
funeral services, both paying fine tributes to the departed.
Vocal music was furnished at the
services by a quartette composed of Messrs. Julius Wiggenhorn, William
Sproessor, Max Rohr and Edward Schempf.
Mayor Wertheimer, members of the
city council, of the Board of Education, other city officials, and members of
the O. D. Pease Post. No. 94, G. A. R. was present in a body.
The honorary pallbearers were
Messrs. Theodore Prentiss, M. J. Woodard, Col. D. Jones, W. P. Brown. The active
pallbearers were Messrs. C. A. Skinner, H. T. Eberle, Fred A. Schmutzler,
Edward J. Brandt, F. A. Hoffmann, J. C. Harrison.
Note on Passing
Watertown Daily Times, 12 30 1904
At a meeting of the board of
managers of the Old Ladies' Home at Glen Falls, New York, held December 12, the
following was adopted:
Inasmuch as Robert Lewis, of
Watertown, Wis., has been called to his reward, we desire to express our regret
and sorrow on the loss of so public a philanthropist. As a benefactor to the
Old Ladies' Home we shall all cherish the memory, not only for what he had
done, but for the manner in which and for the time he made his generous gifts.
His splendid donation comes almost
unsolicited, mainly because of his long generous impulses and desire to do
good, has been the mainstay in support of the home for the past two years, at a
time when without his contribution it would have been impossible to have
maintained it on the basis on which the institution has been left.
But for this contribution many of the
inmates would not have been able to enjoy the comforts of the home. Surely it
can be said without fulsome flattery that the promise "Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto the least of these ye have done it unto me" applies in its
whole meaning to Mr. Lewis.
The manager and directors of the home
feel they have lost a friend, a man of generous impulses and one whose judgment
and discrimination renders him peculiarly fitted to do wisely and well his full
duty to his fellowman.
