John Lewis

congressman manufacturer physician politician

February 1, 1801 (age 64)

Spartanburg District, South Carolina, United States

In 1830-1831, John Wood Lewis served in the South Carolina legislature. He also began another career as a Baptist preacher. In 1840, he moved to Canton, Georgia, where he became a pastor and built iron furnaces. He was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia Senate in 1845. In Georgia, Lewis became a wealthy farmer as well as a physician and a preacher. He was an early benefactor of Governor Joseph E. Brown, who at one time had taught school in Lewis's home. In 1846, he loaned Brown money to go to Yale. In return, when Brown became governor, he made Lewis his superintendent of state roads in 1857, and Lewis made sweeping changes in personnel and train schedules. A secessionist, he was defeated for election to the first Confederate House. He was Brown’s appointee to the Confederate Senate in 1861-1862, where, with his keen business sense, he was considered one of the most practical members. An opponent of the administration, he was a member of the congressional bloc which supported Beauregard for the commander of the armies in the west. He served on the Finance, Post Office and Post Roads, and special committees. After he resigned from the Senate in 1862, he manufactured salt for the Confederacy at Saltville, Georgia.

John Wood Lewis

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congressman manufacturer physician politician

Background

John Lewis was born on February 1, 1801, in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, United States. He was the son of Joel and Merham Lewis. His father died while he was young.

Education

John attended Cedar Springs Academy and then studied medicine under Dr. Richard Harris of Greenville.

Career

In 1830-1831, John Wood Lewis served in the South Carolina legislature. He also began another career as a Baptist preacher.

In 1840, he moved to Canton, Georgia, where he became a pastor and built iron furnaces. He was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia Senate in 1845.

In Georgia, Lewis became a wealthy farmer as well as a physician and a preacher. He was an early benefactor of Governor Joseph E. Brown, who at one time had taught school in Lewis's home. In 1846, he loaned Brown money to go to Yale.

In return, when Brown became governor, he made Lewis his superintendent of state roads in 1857, and Lewis made sweeping changes in personnel and train schedules. A secessionist, he was defeated for election to the first Confederate House. He was Brown’s appointee to the Confederate Senate in 1861-1862, where, with his keen business sense, he was considered one of the most practical members.

An opponent of the administration, he was a member of the congressional bloc which supported Beauregard for the commander of the armies in the west. He served on the Finance, Post Office and Post Roads, and special committees. After he resigned from the Senate in 1862, he manufactured salt for the Confederacy at Saltville, Georgia.

Achievements

John Wood Lewis was known as a member of the South Carolina State legislature and member of Georgia State Senate. He also served as a Senator from Georgia in the Confederate Congress.

Religion

Lewis was a Baptist preacher.

Politics

Lewis was a member of the Democratic Party. He stood for succession and was an opponent of Davis administration.

Connections

Lewis married Sarah Maria Earle in 1834. The couple had seven children.

Father:: Joel Lewis
Mother:: Merham Lewis
Wife:: Sarah Maria Earle Lewis
Sister:: Frances Machen Lewis Rowland
Daughter:: Mary Lewis Thomas
Son:: John W. Lewis
colleague:: Joseph Emerson Brown

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John Lewis

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colleague: Joseph Emerson Brown

Connections

John Wood Lewis

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Religion

Politics

Connections

References

Born

Died

Resting place

Nationality

Religion

Political Party

Education

Career

1830 - 1831

1845

1862 - 1863

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