Samuel Lewis

March 17, 1799 (age 55)

Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States

In 1813 his family, impoverished by losses at sea, removed to the neighborhood of Cincinnati, where, after working as farm-laborer, mail-carrier, and surveyor's assistant, Lewis achieved a local reputation as a skilled carpenter. His keen and active mind sought a more intellectual occupation, however; and in 1819 he turned to the study of law, supporting himself and aiding his parents meanwhile by working in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas. Here his ability, his indefatigable industry, and his uprightness of character won for him the favor and support of some of the leading citizens of Cincinnati. In 1822 he was admitted to the bar, where his devotion to the interests of his clients, together with the above-mentioned qualities, contributed to his marked success. Ever a champion of the weak and oppressed, he early became an advocate of a public system of education which should be "free to all, rich and poor, on equal terms". His first successful stroke on behalf of this cause was made in 1826 when he advised and induced his friend and client, William Woodward, to establish the endowment which, through the agency of the magnificently housed and equipped Woodward High School, has exercised a beneficent cultural influence upon thousands of the youth of Cincinnati, poor as well as rich. The same purpose led Lewis to take an active part in the proceedings of the College of Teachers, a body organized in 1831 to promote the interests of education. In 1837, largely in consequence of an agitation inaugurated by this organization, the Ohio legislature created the office of state superintendent of common schools and appointed Lewis as the first incumbent. Impressed by the opportunities for public service which the position seemed to offer, he devoted himself to its duties with characteristic zeal and loftiness of purpose. To acquaint himself with the educational situation he traveled over twelve hundred miles, largely on horseback, visiting some sixty-five counties and over three hundred schools. Nearly all the recommendations of his first annual report, including a state school fund of $200, 000, authority for districts to borrow money for schoolhouses and for city boards to establish schools of higher grade, and provision for evening schools, were enacted into law April 7, 1838. This legislation proved, however, to be in advance of the public opinion of the time. Numerous memorials were presented urging its repeal and the abolition of the state superintendency. Lewis vigorously opposed this reactionary movement, but his health was already impaired by his strenuous labors, and in 1839 he resigned. Soon after his return to private life he became actively interested in the anti-slavery movement. He was nominated for Congress in 1843 and 1848 and for the governorship in 1846, 1851, and 1853. His last campaign for the governorship greatly overtaxed his strength and helped to hasten his death, which occurred the following year.

Samuel Lewis

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Background

Samuel Lewis was born on March 17, 1854 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States, the son of Samuel Lewis, a sea-captain, and of Abigail (Tolman) Lewis.

Education

Unlike his contemporary, Horace Mann, whose career presents many interesting parallels, he was almost entirely self-educated, having left school at the age of ten.

Career

In 1813 his family, impoverished by losses at sea, removed to the neighborhood of Cincinnati, where, after working as farm-laborer, mail-carrier, and surveyor's assistant, Lewis achieved a local reputation as a skilled carpenter. His keen and active mind sought a more intellectual occupation, however; and in 1819 he turned to the study of law, supporting himself and aiding his parents meanwhile by working in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas. Here his ability, his indefatigable industry, and his uprightness of character won for him the favor and support of some of the leading citizens of Cincinnati. In 1822 he was admitted to the bar, where his devotion to the interests of his clients, together with the above-mentioned qualities, contributed to his marked success.

Ever a champion of the weak and oppressed, he early became an advocate of a public system of education which should be "free to all, rich and poor, on equal terms". His first successful stroke on behalf of this cause was made in 1826 when he advised and induced his friend and client, William Woodward, to establish the endowment which, through the agency of the magnificently housed and equipped Woodward High School, has exercised a beneficent cultural influence upon thousands of the youth of Cincinnati, poor as well as rich. The same purpose led Lewis to take an active part in the proceedings of the College of Teachers, a body organized in 1831 to promote the interests of education.

In 1837, largely in consequence of an agitation inaugurated by this organization, the Ohio legislature created the office of state superintendent of common schools and appointed Lewis as the first incumbent. Impressed by the opportunities for public service which the position seemed to offer, he devoted himself to its duties with characteristic zeal and loftiness of purpose. To acquaint himself with the educational situation he traveled over twelve hundred miles, largely on horseback, visiting some sixty-five counties and over three hundred schools. Nearly all the recommendations of his first annual report, including a state school fund of $200, 000, authority for districts to borrow money for schoolhouses and for city boards to establish schools of higher grade, and provision for evening schools, were enacted into law April 7, 1838. This legislation proved, however, to be in advance of the public opinion of the time. Numerous memorials were presented urging its repeal and the abolition of the state superintendency. Lewis vigorously opposed this reactionary movement, but his health was already impaired by his strenuous labors, and in 1839 he resigned.

Soon after his return to private life he became actively interested in the anti-slavery movement. He was nominated for Congress in 1843 and 1848 and for the governorship in 1846, 1851, and 1853. His last campaign for the governorship greatly overtaxed his strength and helped to hasten his death, which occurred the following year.

Achievements

Lewis was the first state superintendent of common schools in Ohio and one of the most influential of the founders of the free public school system of that state. He worked with the Ohio government to establish standards for the public school system and helped to determine how the schools should be funded. In 1841, in cooperation with Salmon P. Chase and others, he organized the Liberty Party.

Connections

In 1823 Lewis married Charlotte Goforth, daughter of Dr. William Goforth, a well-known physician of Cincinnati.

Father:: Samuel Lewis
Mother:: Abigail (Tolman) Lewis
Spouse:: Charlotte Goforth
Friend:: William Woodward

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Samuel Lewis

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