Who was Irving Lewis?

[sb1]

Our Irving Lewis was born Irving Rhodes Lewis June 20, 1888 the son of Epenetus Lewis and lived in Hempstead, New York from birth thru at least 1940. The proof positive is the 1915 New York state census in which he lists his occupation as Ball Player. Out of Baseball by 1917, married shortly thereafter and by 1930 was a widowed single dad with a daughter, living with his also widowed mother, presumably in the boyhood home he grew up in. By 1940 he is remarried with two younger children. By this time he is going by Irvin. He died in 1954 and is buried in Greenfield cemetery, Uniondale, Nassau county, New York.

Possibly any or all of this three children could be living today and provide even more information.

[Tom Hufford]

Many, many thanks! I had tracked this Irving Rhodes Lewis in the 1910-20-30 US census records - but not the missing link that you had - the 1915 NY State census, which shows him as a ballplayer. I'll have to pay more attention to the "off-year" state censuses, particularly 1915, for some of the T209-T210 players.

Thanks again,
Tom

[sb1]

Tom.

Pehaps Keith can do a follow up now and track down the family in the area. That would make for a nice finish to his trailing the career of the Irving Lewis career.

[Tom Hufford]

Thanks for everyone's interest and help on this one. And special thanks to the Net54 member who sent me a copy of the Irving Lewis 1912 Boston contract. The signature on the contract matches the one on Irving Rhodes Lewis' WWI draft registration card, so that seals it!