Alfred Henry Lewis

Born: January 20, 1855
Died: December 23, 1914

Ohio connection: Birth

Cleveland

Alfred Henry Lewis, the son of Isaac J. Lewis (a carpenter), was born January 20, 1855, in Cleveland, Ohio. In February 1876 when he was 21 years old, Lewis was licensed to practice law, making him one of the youngest men to be admitted to the bar in Ohio.

In February 1879, he married Allice Ewing. The following year, at the age of 23, Lewis was elected  prosecuting attorney of Cleveland but, in 1881, decided to give up legal work to become a journalist. He was employed as a staff reporter for the Chicago Times and later became editor of the Chicago Times-Herald.

In 1893, Lewis’s first book, Wolfville: Episodes of Cowboy Life, was published. Other books followed, including those of the Wolfville series: Wolfville DaysWolfville Nights and Wolfville Folks.  Lewis also wrote numerous magazine articles and short stories concerning the social issues of his day. His articles and stories were published in noted magazines such as CosmopolitanCollier’sTimes, and Pearson’s Magazine.

In his lifetime, he was a lawyer, an investigative journalist and editor, a novelist, and a short story writer. His other publications include The BossThe President, A Novel;  An American PatricianThe Sunset TrailThe Throwback; The Black Lion InnOwners of AmericaA Trust in Agricultural Implements; and The trial of the Viper.

Alfred Henry Lewis died on December 23, 1914. 

Additional Resources

Wikipedia: Alfred Henry Lewis