Lewis - E.R. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Sources: Physicians Directory of Kentucky and Indiana 1893 / Indiana State Board of Health 1890

Lewis, E. R.

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EDWIN R. Lewis, A. M., M. D. The philosophy of the German, to learn one thing, but to learn that well, is being adopted by the medical profession to a very considerable extent, the olden prejudice against any member becoming a specialist having practically died out. Time has demonstrated that the physician who devotes himself exclusively to given forms of disease, or to surgery, or given forms of surgical cases, becomes far more successful than if he generalized, and at the same time he confers inestimable benefits upon the general practitioner by imparting to him the general results of his investigations, practices and triumphs. The subject of this sketch  Dr. Edwin R. Lewis, has devoted himself to diseases of the nose and throat, with the result that he has become eminent in his profession an Alias conferred inestimable benefit upon his fellow creatures,who have suffered from attacks in those members, and at the same time the results of his practice have aided his brethren. Dr. Lewis was born at Madison, Ind., April 2, 1839, being the son of James and Sophronia (west) Lewis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather settled in Madison, Ind., in the year 1818, being one of the pioneers of the place, and he was previously a soldier in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather of our subject was in the navy in the War of 1812, and his great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Thus it will be seen that the blood of loyalty and patriotism pervades the veins of Dr. Lewis. The father of Dr. Lewis was reared in Madison, where he engaged in business when he grew to man's estate, and resided there until his death. Our subject was reared in his native place, receiving instruction in the graded schools, and subsequently attended Amherst (Mass.) College, whence he graduated in the year 1861. In that same year, August, and directly after he passed From college, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and served three years, being mustered out in August, 1864, with the rank of captain. Previous to enlisting he served three months on the staff of Gen. Wallace. During his service with the gallant Twenty-first he participates in the battles of Antietam; Fredericksburg, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg. and numerous skirmishes, being constantly in active service. At the battle of Knoxville he was wounded in the right arm, a most serious injury, and he narrowly missed losing that member. After being mustered out with a record of which he may well be proud, for he was always at his post of duty and was brave in battle and a gallant and skilled officer, he entered, in the fall of 1864, the medical department of Harvard University, from which lie graduated in 1867. He then engaged in practice at Amherst, Mass., until 1870, when he went to Syria as professor of chemistry in the medical college at Beirut. Here he remained for thirteen years, or until 1883, and then returned to America and entered the Polyclinic College in New York. In April, of the following year, he came to Indianapolis and entered upon his practice, but left in the fall to accept the professorship of chemistry in Wabash College, a position he held until the fall of 1888, pursuing the practice of his profession during this time. He then returned to Indianapolis, where he has since remained, being a specialist in disease of the throat and nose, and has built up a very large and lucrative practice and has attained great eminence. He is a patient, studious and persevering man, possessed of a vast fund of general knowledge, learned and skillful in his profession, and a gentleman of culture and refinement. His is a nature that attracts and he inspires confidence and respect on all sides.

Dr. Lewis was married in 1864 to Harriet Goodell, at Amherst, Mass. who died in Syria in 1878. A son born to this union, Edwin S., graduated from Wabash College in 1888 and then spent four years in John Hopkins University, at Baltimore, where he took the degree of Ph.D., and during his study there took two scholarship prizes, which entitle him to two seasons of study in Europe, under the direction of the University. After graduating Ire received an appointment as professor of the 'Roman languages at Princeton College, which distinguished position this remarkably talented young man is now filling. The attainments of Prof. Lewis in scholarship are truly extraordinary and he has before him a brilliant future. Dr. Lewis was married a second time in 1885, at Crawfordsville, Ind., to Ellen Poole, of Philadelphia, who died in April, 1889. In April, 1892, the Doctor was married to Rose Baldwin, of Indianapolis.

Our subject is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, of the Indiana Medical Society, American Medical Association, the American Rhinological Society and the American Academy of Medicine. Besides his connection with these several bodies of distinguished men, he is also a member of the G. A. R., of the L. L., and of the various orders of masonry up to and including the Scottish Rite, or thirty-second degree. He is likewise connected with a number of prominent social organizations, among which is the Columbia Club, Country Club, and the Indianapolis Literary Club, the latter being a most exclusive association, the membership being based upon merit. The Doctor is a member of the Second Pres syterian Church, as also is his wife. In polities he is an independent, being influenced in his vote largely by the character and merit of the candidates for office, having, of course, pronounced views upon the great questions that divide parties, but neither of the great parties properly reflects his opinions. He is a warm personal friend of Secretary Gresham and ardently endorses the independent stand of that gentleman. Dr. Lewis' connection with the many organizations named above, in all of which he takes active interest, would indicate a very large personal acquaintance, but these represent only in part those with whom he has association, for he enjoys the friend-ship and esteem of distinguished people all over this country and in Europe, who are attached to him on account of his noble qualities of mind and heart, and who admire him for his scholastic and professional attainments. - thanks muches to Jeff S. for this one