Lewis Francis Byington Explained

Lewis F. Byington
Nationality:American
Image Name:Lewis F. Byington.jpg
Office:District Attorney of San Francisco
Term Start:1900
Term End:1905
Preceded:Daniel J. Murphy
Succeeded:William H. Langdon
Office2:San Francisco Supervisor
Term Start2:1898
Term End2:1900
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:May 24, 1868
Death Place:San Francisco, California
Profession:Lawyer

Lewis Francis Byington (May 24, 1868 – May 7, 1943) was an American lawyer, author, and Democratic Part politician who served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1898–1900) and as District Attorney of San Francisco (1900–1905).[1] [2]

Early life and education

Byington was born on May 24, 1868, in Downieville, California. He was the son of Robert Lewis Byington and Catherine Freehill Byington.[3] [4]

Byington went to public school in Downieville. He graduated from Santa Clara College, now the University of Santa Clara. In 1887, he graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law. He subsequently practiced law in San Francisco.

Career

Lewis Byington was a member of the California bar. He practiced in the Supreme Court and Federal Courts of California.[5] [6]

In 1898, Byington was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.[7] [2] On November 8, 1899, he was elected San Francisco District Attorney, serving from 1900 until 1905.[8] As District Attorney, he prosecuted the murderer Cordelia Botkin.[9] He was re-elected twice.[10]

Byington was president of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission under Mayor James Rolph.[11]

Private life and affiliations

Byington was unmarried. In retirement, he made his home in San Francisco.[2]

He was vice president of the California Historic Landmarks League and served as president of the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW). On September 15, 1912, Byington acted as chairman of the ceremonies during the dedication of the new NSGW building. He addressed the audience during the dedication, describing the history and challenges of its completion.[12]

He was also a member of the University of California Club, the National Geographic Society, the San Francisco Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a principal speaker for the celebration of California's admission to the Union.[1]

Death

On May 7, 1943, Byington died of pneumonia at Stanford Hospital in San Francisco. He was buried at the Holy Cross Mausoleum.[2]

Publications

Byington wrote the following books:

See also

San Francisco District Attorneys

External links

Notes and References

  1. San Francisco and its Municipal Administration 1902, Hon. Lewis F. Byington, page 46
  2. News: 1943-05-07 . L. F. Byington Dies in S.F. . Oakland Tribune . Oakland, California . 2020-04-12 .
  3. News: 1943-05-07 . L. F. Byington Dies in S.F. . Oakland Tribune . Oakland, California . 2020-04-12 .
  4. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015078229179&view=1up&seq=804 Byington, Lewis
  5. San Francisco: its builders, past and present, pictorial, p. 249
  6. Web site: Encyclopedia of American biography. New series.. American Historical Society . New York . 1895. 2021-10-05.
  7. News: Doyle Host At Birthday Fete. Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California . May 31, 1935. 2024-02-07.
  8. News: Officials Certain Of Election. The San Francisco Examiner . San Francisco, California . November 8, 1899. 2024-02-07.
  9. News: TWO LEADING FIGURES IN THE RECENT BOTKIN MURDER TRIAL]. the Tacoma Times. 1904-04-30. Chronicling America. 2015-08-16.
  10. News: Lewis F. Byington . San Francisco Chronicle . 12 January 1916 . 40 . 12 Jan 1916, Wed • Page 40 . 28 October 2021.
  11. Reno Evening Gazette, Sept. 14, 1931, p. 15.
  12. News: Native Sons Dedicate New Building. The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, California. 16 Sep 1912. 3. 2021-10-05.