Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 403. WILLIAM PARSONS LEWIS William Parsons Lewis is an architect and contractor of Portland and many of the buildings which he has put up have been erected after designs which he has made. England claims him as her native son, his birth having occurred in Somersetshire in 1853. The days of his boyhood and youth were there passed and in that country he studied architecture, thus qualifying for the profession which he has followed much of his life. He was apprenticed to an architect when twelve years of age, and continued in that service until seventeen years of age, when, tiring of the routine and the limited opportunities offered him, he ran away and came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in 1869. After tarrying in the east for about four years, Mr. Lewis came to the Pacific coast in 1873, settling first at San Jose, California, where he remained for seven years, during which period he was connected with mill and stair building. On the 5th of January, 1880, he arrived in Portland and here he continued in the same lines which had previously claimed his attention. He operated the Portland planing mills for a time and in 1896 established his present business as an architect and contractor. Within this period he has superintended the construction of the Lincoln high school and the residences of C. E. Ladd and W. W. Spaulding, together with some of the other leading buildings of the city. His ability as an architect enables him to make his own plans and designs, and in this he studies forms of beauty as well as of practical utility. In 1873 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Ida May Jewett, and they have two sons, Robert J., who is now associated in business with his father under the firm style of W. P. Lewis & Son; and William J., who is attending school. The family residence is at No. 725 Prospect Drive. Mr. Lewis has never had occasion to regret his determination to leave England arid seek his home in America, which has aptly been termed "the land of opportunity." Here where capability and industry constitute the forces of advancement, he has made substantial progress and gained splendid success. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.