Lewis Thomas Ives

     Lewis was born on Sunday, 4 August 1833 at Rochester, Monroe County, New York. He was the son of Eardlay Ives who was born in England. Lewis married Minnie Leggett, daughter of Augustus Wright Leggett and Elizabeth Seaman, on 26 June 1860 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Lewis was a renowned portrait artist and had received the commission to paint a portrait of President Glover Cleveland. He died before he was able to do the work and his son Percival was awarded the commission. Lewis also painted a portrait of Dr. Valentine Seaman from a miniature. This portrait, now considered a treasure, is displayed in the board conference room in New York City Hospital. He was also a lawyer. 6 July 1870, Lewis and his wife, Minnie, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Lewis T. Ives [35 England], Minnie [26 New York], Augustus [9 Michigan], Percival [6 Michigan], Valentine [2 mos. Michigan], & Lewis [2 mos. Michigan], Anna Gallager [23 Canada].¹ 15 June 1880, Lewis listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Corydon C. Randall [39 Canada], Anna S. [32 New York], Lida S. [11 Michigan], Huntley B. [5 Michigan], Ferris S. [3 Michigan]. Lewis T. Ives [46 New York][border-artist], Margaret [36 New York], Augustus [19 Michigan], Percival S. [16 Michigan], Valentine S. [9 Michigan], Bertha Neuman [20 Michigan][servant], Flora McDermitt [22 Scotland][servant]. Corydon was a photographer. [Note: Anna Randall & Margaret Ives are sisters. - klm]² Lewis departed this life on Thursday, 13 December 1894 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at age 61 years, 4 months and 9 days. Lewis was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.³