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Robert E. Lewis
1825 - 1904
Watertown Daily Times, 12
09 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.
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.
Funeral of Cliff Lewis, 1894
Watertown Gazette, 06
29 1894
Cliff
Lewis died of Bright's disease at the home of his parents on Washington Street,
south, on Saturday, June 23, 1894, in the 44th year of his age. Diseased was born in Fort Edwards, New York,
and removed to this city with his parents when quite young. Several years ago he located in St. Paul and
engaged in the cracker business, selling out to the cracker trust a few years
ago, and from which he annually drew large dividends. He was also interested in real estate in that
city, and had extensive interests in Dunedin, Florida.
He had
a large acquaintance throughout the west, all of whom sincerely mourn his
departure. Genial and pleasant in all
his dealings, all who knew him took kindly to him and became his friend.
In
common with our city we extend to his aged parents our sincere sympathy.
On
Monday afternoon his remains
were laid at rest in Oak Hill cemetery, a large number of sorrowing friends
turning out to pay the final tribute of respect to him.
1909
05 28 Memorial Day,
decoration of graves of M/M Robert E. Lewis
WG
