LEWIS, Charles O. 1882-1915

LEWIS, WULF

Posted By: Gerald (email)
Date: 11/23/2010 at 16:12:52

Chas. Oakley Lewis who died last Tuesday at Arapaho, Oklahoma.

Wellsburg’s Pioneer Educator Passes.

Prof. Charles O. Lewis, who is well known all over this part of the state, opened the new Wellsburg school in 1912, and built up the first graduating class in the history of Wellsburg. The offer of a good place in Arapaho at the opening of the last school year drew Prof. Lewis to Oklahoma. Before going, however, he returned to Wellsburg and wedded Ms. Emma Wulf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Wulf. The young couple went on to Oklahoma to enter at once into the work Mr. Lewis had accepted there.

Almost from the first, Mr. Lewis's health was bad. He suffered much from the water, (he had diabetes I have been told) and about a week ago his condition became alarming. His wife telegraphed home that he was dangerously ill, and Emil Wulf (brother of wife Emma Wulf & brother-in-law of Charles) left for Arapaho Sunday night. Before he arrived there another telegram announced the death of Mr. Lewis at 7:10 on Tuesday morning.

The funeral will be held at Wellsburg on Saturday, and Rev. John A. Drake, who is well acquainted with Mr. Lewis, will probably assist in the burial ceremonials.

Charles Oakley Lewis was a man just in the prime of life. He was of a genial, sunny disposition, and was a lover of the beautiful in art and in literature. Few men of this section were better versed in literature than he, and he possessed remarkable aptitude as a platform entertainer. At one time he was one of the most desired attractions of well-known lecture course, for the interesting style of his characterizations of certain styles of character. He went into the profession of school teaching because of his feeling that he could do more efficient work for the world than on the lecture platform.

Mr. Lewis was well known by all of the educated, cultured man of this section. He was admired by all for his ability, and his taste in literary matters was recognized as one of the highest order. Few men could surpass him in bringing out the real beauty of any passage of poetry or prose.

His death in the prime of life is a distinct loss to the cause of education, for his devotion to the school he was in charge of amounted to a passion. He studied long and faithfully to bring about the very best, and the most elevating results from the work under his charge. Wellsburg was indeed fortunate in that her school was started off so well by such an earnest worker. His graduating class was small, only two members, but they were so well taught that they are going ahead with the study and the mental development he impressed so strongly upon their minds while they were his pupils. One graduate, Albert Ashing, is now in school at the Reinbeck high school, going ahead.

Mr. Lewis was a man to appear mind. The unclean and vicious had no place in his thoughts. He worked ever to develop the higher things, and in so doing earned the respect and the active support of all earnest minded man in the community.

His widow, and relatives, will be given the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.