Lewis Francis Byington
Lewis Francis Byington (May 24, 1868 – May 7, 1943) was an American lawyer, author, and Democrat politician who served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1890–1892) and as District Attorney of San Francisco (1890–1905).[1][2]
Lewis F. Byington | |
|---|---|
 | |
| District Attorney of San Francisco | |
| In office 1890–1905 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel J. Murphy |
| Succeeded by | William H. Langdon |
| San Francisco Supervisor | |
| In office 1890–1892 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1868 |
| Died | May 7, 1943 (aged 74) San Francisco, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Attorney, Politician |
Early life and education
Byington was born on May 24, 1868, in Downieville, California, one of the historic mining towns in Sierra County, northern California. He was a son of Lewis Byington, one of the early pioneers of Sierra County, and Catherine (Freehill) Byington. His grandmother was Abigail Webster, a cousin of Daniel Webster.[3]
His sister, Mary Emma Byington, was married to Tirey L. Ford, 18th California Attorney General and General Counsel for the United Railroads.[4]
Byington went to public school in Downieville. He graduated from Santa Clara College, now the University of Santa Clara, and in 1887 graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law. He subsequently practiced law in San Francisco.[1]
Career
Lewis Byington was a member of the California bar. His practice was in the Supreme Court and Federal Courts of California.[5]
In 1898 he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
In 1899 he was elected San Francisco District Attorney, serving from 1900–1905.[6] As District Attorney of the Seventh Ward, he prosecuted the murderer Cordelia Botkin.[7]
Byington was president of the San Francisco civil service commission for major James Rolph.[8]
In 1935, Byington became president of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which provides water and electric power services to the city. He held this position until his death in 1943. As president, Byington oversaw the completion of the aqueduct and tunnels of the Hetch Hetchy system that brought water to San Francisco.[9]
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. 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 Hopital, San Francisco. He was 75 years old. Funeral services were held at St. Mary's Cathedral. He was buried at the Holy Cross Mausoleum.[2]
Publications
Byington wrote the following books:
References
- San Francisco and its Municipal Administration 1902, Hon. Lewis F. Byington, page 46
- "L. F. Byington Dies in S.F." Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. 1943-05-07. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- Byington, Lewis, The National Cyclopædia of American Biography, 1941
- Bailey Millard (1924). "History of the San Francisco Bay Region". The American Historical Society, Inc. pp. 83–84. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
- San Francisco: its builders, past and present, pictorial, p. 249
- Municipal Reports for the Fiscal Year 1898-99 By San Francisco (Calif.) Board of Supervisors
- "TWO LEADING FIGURES IN THE RECENT BOTKIN MURDER TRIAL]". the Tacoma Times. 1904-04-30. Retrieved 2015-08-16 – via Chronicling America.
- Reno Evening Gazette, Sept. 14, 1931, p. 15.
- Report of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. San Francisco, Calif. : The Commission. 1933
