Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother Lewis Lewis taken from various sources:

Lewis, Lewis (Victoria), was born in Poland, in 1828, and when nine years of age was taken to England by an uncle. He remained in England for over eight years during which time he attend­ed school. He then came to America and obtained a position in a large wholesale jewellery establishment in New York, where he remained for two years. At the end of that time he went to Brazil and from Brazil to Peru. In 1849 he removed to California where he spent the next nine years. For a portion of this time he was interested in mining, then in general business in San Francisco, and towards the latter part of the time he conducted a dry goods store in Sacramento. While in Sacramento he married Miss Rachael Nathan. He came to British Columbia in June, 1858, and first visited Fort Yale. In the following year he opened a grocery business in Victoria. He continued at this for eighteen months and then started the dry goods business he now conducts. Mr, Lewis has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1850, and of the Oddfellows' Society for twenty-two years. He is a member of the Hebrew Society and an adherent of that religion.

Source: Kerr – Biographical Dictionary of B.C.

“Progress on Yates Street – The plans for Mr. Lewis Lewis’ new building on Yates street show that it will be three stories high, in the same style as the Humphrey’s building adjoining. It will have a frontage of 30 feet, by a depth of 72 feet. The ground floor will be devoted to two stores; the second will be divided into six large rooms suitable for offices or the display of samples, and the upper flat will make an excellent society lodge room. Tenders, it is expected, will be invited at once and the contract let in about two weeks.”

Source: Daily Colonist, 16 May 1891, page 5, column 1

“Another Pioneer Gone – The death occurred last evening at 7:30 of Lewis Lewis of 65 Pandora street, this city. Deceased was born in Kolar, Russian Poland, in 1828. He left home when only nine years of age, and after a few years residence in Germany, emigrated to England, where he remained five years, when he left the latter country and went to New York. Before he had been in that city long news came of the discovery of gold in California, to which place he went by way of Cape Horn in the ship Robert Bone, and arrived at the City of the Golden Gate on August 26, 1849. He came to Victoria with the rush of goldseekers in 1858, and immediately embarked in business, which he successfully carried on until he retired in 1894. Mr. Lewis was a member of the first volunteer fire brigade, was a member of Victoria Lodge, No. 1, I.O.O.F., and a member of the Jewish Congregation Emanu-El, of which he was its president for eight years. He leaves to mourn his loss one son and one daughter (Mrs. E.P. Nathan), besides a large circle of friends. The funeral will take place from his late residence on Wednesday next at 2 p.m.”

Source:Daily Colonist, 5 July 1904, page 5, column 5

“Pioneer’s Funeral – There was a large attendance at the funeral of the late Lewis Lewis, which took place yesterday afternoon from the Odd Fellows’ hall, Douglas street, at 2 o’clock. The services of the order were solemnized by the several officers, and the Jewish services were conducted by Mr. Salmon. Beautiful flowers were presented and the following acted as pallbearers: Messrs. F. Landsberg, J. Carey, J. Mathews, I. Podeck, W. Whittaker and H.E. Levy.”

Source: Daily Colonist, 7 July 1904, page 5, column 3

The grave of Brother Max Lewis Lewis in Victoria Jewish cemetery.

The GPS location of the grave is: N 48⁰ 26.364’  W 123⁰ 20.764’

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Congregation Emanu-El, Victoria, B.C.

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