Lewis was born in Clarendon in Orleans County, New York, the third son of Shubael Lewis, a farmer and colonel in the New York State militia after the War of 1812, and Eleanor Lewis (Née Robertson).
Lewis was born in Clarendon, New York in Orleans County, New York. The third son of Shubael Lewis, a farmer and colonel in the New York State militia after the Second American Revolution, and Eleanor Lewis (Née Robertson).