Washington

LEWIS, Frank W.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 245 
(portrait p 245)

Frank W. LEWIS was born 21 October 1852 in Middlesex [Washington County, 
Vermont], son of Albert R. and Emily (HOLT) LEWIS. He is a grandson of the 
late Dr. Joseph LEWIS, Jr., whose father, a surgeon in the Revolutionary 
army, was by the side of General MONTGOMERY when the latter fell in the 
unsuccessful attempt to storm Quebec. The school privileges enjoyed by Mr. 
LEWIS were rather limited and somewhat irregular, but this lack was 
compensated in a measure by his being from childhood an omnivorous reader and 
a diligent student, and his having for some years access to extensive 
libraries. He was usually graded with pupils much older than himself, 
managing even then to lead his classes, and at fourteen mastered such 
elements of an education as were afforded by district schools of the better 
grade, besides giving some attention to the study of languages. At fifteen 
he entered an advanced class in the high school at Canton [Norfolk County], 
Massachusetts, after leaving which he continued his studies, mainly without 
assistance. Later he pursued the course in "English Literature and Science" 
prescribed for the candidates for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and four years' course in "Biblical Ecclesiastical and Literary" 
studies required after admission on trial, passing his examinations with 
credit.

Being dependent for support and education chiefly on his own efforts, little 
of Mr. LEWIS' boyhood and youth was exempt from hard work, even when 
attending school. He was variously employed, gaining some insight into 
pursuits of several kinds, mercantile and mechanical, as well as those of the 
farm, and in city as well as country, having spent some years in Boston. He 
has taught several terms of district school, and for a year had charge of the 
Weston high school [Windsor County, Vermont]. In the fall of 1877 he united 
with the Methodist Episcopal church, entered actively into its work, and was 
at once singled out as having qualifications for, and an undoubted call to, 
the ministry. Yielding to the conviction that duty lay in this direction, 
and urged forward by what seemed providential indications, he passed the 
required examinations the following spring, was licensed to preach, and 
appointed by Bishop Gilbert HAVEN to supply the pulpit at Topsham [Orange 
County, Vermont]. A year later he was admitted to the Vermont conference, 
ordained deacon in 1881, and elder in 1883. He was appointed to Barre 
[Orleans County, Vermont], his present charge, in 1890, where he is serving 
his fourth year.

Mr. LEWIS has never taken any active part in politics, but has served as 
superintendent of schools and in some other minor offices. He has been 
statistical secretary of Vermont conference since 1883, and for several years 
on the conference board of examination. He is considered to be one of 
the most efficient, intellectual, and well educated young divines in the St. 
Johnsbury district. Whatever recognition his merits have received, in 
promotion or otherwise, has been bestowed unsolicited. No man in the 
conference has surrendered the designation of his work more entirely into the 
hands of the constituted authorities of his church. On 26 March 1879 he 
[Frank W. LEWIS] married Miss Ella F., daughter of David H. and Fidelia 
(THRESHER) WHITNEY, of Granville [Addison County, Vermont]. Their marriage 
has been blessed with three children: Bessie Ethel, Lula Miriam, and Annie 
Louise.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly