San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1614-1615
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 3/14/2010
THOMAS DAVID LEWIS
Widely and favorably known among successful contractors throughout San Joaquin County, Thomas David Lewis, now one of the oldest in his line of business, is kept steadily busy as a builder, never wanting for the next commission in up-to-date constructing and designing work. He was born in Bachellor Valley, Stanislaus County, on November 23, 1864, the son of William Lewis, a native of Ireland who came around the Horn in pioneer days and located in Stanislaus County, where he took up farming. He married Lucy Peachey, born in England, who came to California via Panama. When a boy, Thomas Lewis attended the district schools, starting to work on the home ranch when he was a lad of thirteen.
In 1883, at the age of nineteen, he came to Stockton, and the following year he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade under the pioneer contractor, R.R. Reibenstein. In 1896, he established himself as a contractor in building and this line of work he is still following with success. His product has always been of the highest order, and in recent years he has specialized in the installation of new store-fronts in the business districts. Among notable undertakings, for example, he erected the Elks Building, the Ruhl-Goodell Block, the Branch Block, the Flat-Iron Building, and the Gummer Building, as well as the first Fair Oaks School, the Wilhoit Block, the Wonder Store, the Philson Hotel, and other edifices which have helped to enrich and to adorn the city. He has also built many fine private residences, including the homes of George F. Hudson, Harry King, A.E. Gianelli, George Dickerson, Albert Morath, and two for Carl Ortman.
Mr. Lewis married Miss Carrie Case, at Stockton, in 1885, and they have been blessed in the birth of five children. Lottie, Mrs. Vilhauer of Stockton, is the eldest; William is a clerk in the Stockton Saving & Loan Bank; Annie is the third-born; Olive is the wife of N. Stockwell, and they have one child, Thomas; and Everett is with Humphreys & Mathews. For over twenty years Mr. Lewis lived at No. 1320 South San Joaquin Street, but has just completed a new residence on the corner of Acacia and Edison streets, where he resides with his family.
Mr. Lewis is a member of Charity Lodge of Odd Fellows, Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B.P.O.E., and Woodmen of the World, as well as the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and leaves no stone unturned to help boost the city which he is helping to build up.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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