Biography of Cicero H. Lewis, 1899, State of Oregon
Surnames: Lewis, Couch

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - December 2001
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Oregon Native Son, Vol. 1, May 1899, page 58-59

CICERO H. LEWIS.

C. H. Lewis was born in Cranbury, Middlesex county, N. J., December 22, 1826,
and removed to Newburgh, N. Y., when he was 13 years age, remaining there
until his twentieth year, when he went to New York city, where he received the
education which fitted him for the great business career in store. He was
employed here by the dry goods firm of Chambers, Heiser & Co., with whom he
spent several years. In company with L. H. Allen he left New York February 13,
1850, for the Pacific coast, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco, March 23,
where he remained until the following June, preparing to start a business in
Portland, then a small village. He reached this city June 9, having come from
San Francisco on the same steamer with Henry Failing, and immediately opened a
place of business, under the firm name of Allen, DeWitt & Co. In 1852, owing
to the enforced absence of Mr. Allen in the East, this house was closed, and
Mr. Lewis returned to San Francisco, where, during the following year, he was
connected with Eugene Kelly & Co.

In 1853 Mr. Allen returned from the East, and the firm of Allen & Lewis was
established in Portland, since which time it has been one of the largest
wholesale houses on the coast. During his entire life he steadily refused to
have anything to do with politics, although often importuned to permit the use
of his name for this or that office. He was a prominent member of the Masonic
order and an active member of Trinity church. In early days he was a member of
engine company No. 1. While it was always Mr. Lewis' aim to confine his
attention entirely to his own private business, he was identified with
numerous enterprises and institutions of the city, and was universally
respected for his honesty of purpose and kindness of heart.

A history of Mr. Lewis' career, from the little grocery on the corner of Front
and Burnside streets, in a village of 450 inhabitants, to the princely house
of Allen & Lewis in the metropolis of the great Northwest, is a pleasing one,
especially as the foundation of such phenomenal success was his strict
integrity and close attention to business. The late Henry Failing, in speaking
of him, said: "He was the soul of conscientiousness. His was a powerful
personality; it dominated in the policy of his business life, the watchword of
which was integrity. The name of his firm became many years ago and has been
maintained ever since a household word all over the Northwest for fair dealing
in business." At first he was agent for the Adams Express Company and a line
of steamships to San Francisco, so that nearly all the commerce between Oregon
and California passed through his hands. He was a man of keen perception,
excellent judgment and tireless energy. Through his entire life he worked
incessantly at his desk, and while directing the destinies of an enormous
business he was the hardest and most persistent worker in the entire concern.
In every phase of life he was plain, unassuming and sympathetic. The only 
public position he would ever accept was on the Portland water committee, in
which capacity his services were invaluable to the city.

On Saturday, January 2, 1897, while on his way to the store, he was stricken
with paralysis, and although the best medical attention was at hand and
everything possible was done for him, he gradually sank until the morning of
the 5th, when he passed peacefully away.

In his death the Pacific coast, and especially Portland, lost one of its best
citizens and most public-spirited men. His remains were followed to the tomb
by one of the largest funeral processions which ever passed - through the
streets of the city.

In 1857 he married Miss Clementina F. Couch, a daughter of Captain J. H.
Couch. A family of eleven children is the fruit of this union, one of whom,
Allen, being now the  recognized head of the extensive business interests his
father left behind.

Mrs. Lewis came to Oregon with her mother in 1852, arriving, via the Panama
route, in April of that year. She is one of the mothers of our state whom
Oregon by no means could have spared. She still survives and adorns the best
society, and is beloved by all who know her.