JUDD MORTIMER LEWIS
*Judd Mortimer Lewis was born in Fulton, N. Y., September 13, 1867**; his parents were Charles Steven and Arabelle Elizabeth (Kenyon) Lewis, he was educated in the grade schools of Cleveland, Ohio, and removed to Houston, Texas, June 8, 1893. On September 24, 1894, he married Mary Bartley, of Cleveland, Ohio, the sweetheart of his schooldays. Children, Marjorie Augusta (Mrs. E. J. Perry), Jessamine Margaret (Mrs. I. Burford Sigler.) He began as a stereotyper with the A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Company, later served as branch manager with that company with headquarters in Houston. With Houston Post since 1898. Vice president and director. Widely known for "baby bureau" work, in which work he was instrumental in placing more than two hundred babies in adoptive homes. Was given Litt. D. degree by Baylor University in 1920. Was appointed first Poet Laureate of Texas by the Texas legislature in 1932. Is a democrat and Methodist. Life member of American Folk Lore Society. Life member and ex-president Texas Press Association. Has six grandchildren, Jessamine Ruth and Mary Patty Sigler, E. J. Perry Jr. and Judd Lewis Perry and Mary Eleanor and Marjorie Louise Perry (twins). Author: Sing the South, 1905; Lilts 0' Love, 1906; The Old Wash Place, 1912 ; Toddle-Town Trails, 1914; Christmas Day, 1917. Also prose humorous syndicated stories Patsy Kildare Outlaw, and Jubilee's Pardner. Contributor to various magazines and newspapers. Selected by Carnegie Endowment for Universal Peace to tour the Orient, summer 1929.
Judd Mortimer Lewis' education is due more to his habits of observation and omnivorous reading than to his schooling, as he was compelled to quit school at an early age. Before he was fourteen he was self- supporting and was contributing to the family support. He was employed variously as an ox-driver, road grader, and a mechanic in various lines, as a brass finisher, foundryman and stereotyper. He first turned his attention to writing at the outbreak of the Spanish- American war. His poems attracted immediate and favorable attention, and in that year he became connected with The Houston Post. Home Albans Road. Office: Houston Post, Houston, Texas.
*From Poems of Declamation Number Two published by the Houston Post. No date on document.
**Judd Lewis died on July 25, 1945 and is buried at Forest Park East Cemetery, Houston.
More History - Texas Press Association
A Letter from Lewis to a person requesting a private poem
