J.H. Lewis(1837-1928)

American stage actor who appeared in some films. As a boy, he traveled with circuses as an elephant tender, before embarking on an acting career at 17. He appeared on Broadway and in touring companies in such plays as "Graustark," "A Cure for Curables," and "Tiger Rose." His son, James Lewis Jr., was also an actor, but predeceased his father by twenty years. The senior Lewis devoted his later years to charitable causes and teaching acting. He died suddenly while preparing for a charity event.