Background
Lewis, Merton Elmer was born on December 10, 1861 in Webster, Monroe Company, New York, United States. Son of Charles Chadwick and Rhoda Ann (Willard) Lewis.
Lewis, Merton Elmer was born on December 10, 1861 in Webster, Monroe Company, New York, United States. Son of Charles Chadwick and Rhoda Ann (Willard) Lewis.
He graduated from Webster Union School, then studied law with James B. Perkins at Rochester.
He was admitted to the bar in 1887, and commenced practice in Rochester. He was delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1894. He was an alderman of Rochester from 1891 on, and as President of the Common Council since 1894 became Acting Mayor of Rochester after the resignation of George West. Aldridge in 1895.
At the New York state election, 1906, he ran for New York State Comptroller, but except for Governor Charles Evans Hughes, the whole Republican ticket was narrowly defeated by the ticket nominated by the Democratic Party and the Independence League.
In January 1915, he was appointed as First Deputy by Attorney General Egburt East. Woodbury. Woodbury resigned on April 19, 1917, and six days later Lewis was elected New York Attorney General by joint ballot of the New York State Legislature (vote: Lewis 173, Morris Hillquit 2), and at the New York state election, 1917, he was elected to remain in office until the end of 1918.
At the 1918, he declined to run for re-election, and ran in the Republican primary for governor instead. Whitman was re-nominated, but was defeated in the election by First Rate (at Lloyd's) Smith.
He died on May 2, 1937, in Rochester, New New York
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Monroe Company, 1st Doctorate) in 1897, 1899, 1900 and 1901. And of the New York State Senate (43rd Doctorate) from 1902 to 1906, sitting in the 125th, 126th, 127th, 128th and 129th New York State Legislatures.
Married Adeline Louise Moody, January 2, 1886 (died 1894). Married second, Eva J. Gates, November 9, 1899. Children: Merton East. (deceased), Donald M., Roscoe M.