Charles B. Lewis
Charles B. Lewis was an American humorist and writer born on February 15, 1842, in Liverpool, Ohio. He graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College and initially worked in the printing field, gaining experience at the Lansing Journal. Lewis served in the Civil War with the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, which was later deployed to Utah for a year where it engaged in conflicts with Native American tribes. After the war, a tragic incident on a steamboat en route to a new editorial position left him injured and ultimately led him to return to Michigan.
Lewis established himself as a prominent humorist through contributions to numerous newspapers, including the Detroit Free Press, where he wrote popular columns such as "The Lime Kiln Club" and "The Arizona Kicker." His comedic writing gained national attention, allowing him to publish articles in various magazines and pen several dime novels and plays. In 1891, he moved to New York, where he continued to write a daily humorous column for the World. Despite facing health challenges later in life, Lewis remained active in his writing career until his death in 1924.
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Subject Terms
Charles B. Lewis
Fiction and Nonfiction Writer
- Born: February 15, 1842
- Birthplace: Liverpool, Ohio
- Died: August 21, 1924
Biography
Charles Bertrand Lewis was born February 15, 1842, in Liverpool, Ohio. He graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College in Lansing, Michigan, and after graduation he worked in the office of the Lansing Journal, where he learned typesetting and printing. During the Civil War, he served with the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. The regiment was not mustered out in 1865, but was sent to Utah for one year where it was engaged in at least one battle with Native American tribes. In February of 1866, the unit was disbanded, and Lewis returned to Michigan where he continued his career as a printer.
Lewis was offered a job as the editor of the Maysville Bulletin in Kentucky. However, while traveling to his new position, the steamboat on which he was riding exploded, killing fifty people and injuring Lewis. He spent six weeks in a hospital recovering from his injuries, and lost his new job. Lewis returned to Michigan and began to work at the Jacksonian newspaper in Pontiac.
Lewis wrote a comedic article that was carried by newspapers across the country, and established his reputation as a humorist. He soon found himself contributing articles to twenty-one newspapers or story papers, including Ballou’s Monthly Magazine. Following a $10,000 settlement from the steamboat company, Lewis bought an interest in the Detroit Free Press, and he regularly contributed to the newspaper.
Lewis wrote several weekly columns under the titles The Lime Kiln Club, The Arizona Kicker, Carl Dunder, and Mr. and Mrs. Bowser. He also wrote several dime novels, plays, and books. In 1874, he wrote short articles for magazines such as the Saturday Journal, New York Weekly, and Fireside Companion. In 1891, Lewis went to New York, where he wrote a humorous daily column for the World. Although he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis later in life, Lewis continued to write until his death in 1924.