John L. Lewis, 1880-1969
<p>Lewis, the foremost national Labor leader of his time, was born near Lucas, Iowa, son of a Welsh immigrant miner.  At age 16, he began work in the coal mines.  And by 1906 was elected the United Mine Workers' delegate from Lucas.  Lewis rose quickly in the organization culminating in his election as United Mine Workers President in 1920.  He jointed with others in 1938 to form the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which later merged with the American Federation of Labor.  Lewis' stern appearance and bushy eyebrows were well known to millions of Americans who either loved or hated him for his activities in behalf of labor.
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Erected by the Iowa State Historical Department Division of the State Historical Society and by the Lucas County Historical Society 1978
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