Lewis Francis Byington

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

Lewis F. Byington
17th District Attorney of San Francisco
In office
1900–1905
Preceded byDaniel J. Murphy
Succeeded byWilliam H. Langdon
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from 's 24th district
In office
1877 - 1879
San Francisco Supervisor
In office
1898–1900
Personal details
Born
Lewis Francis Byington

(1868-05-24)May 24, 1868
DiedMay 7, 1943(1943-05-07) (aged 74)
San Francisco, California
Resting placeHoly Cross Mausoleum
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and education

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Byington was born on May 24, 1868, in Downieville, California. He was the son of Robert Lewis Byington and Catherine Freehill Byington.[2][3]

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.[1]

Career

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Lewis Byington was a member of the California bar. He practiced in the Supreme Court and Federal Courts of California.[4][5]

California legislature

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On August 31, 1877, Byington was elected to the California State Assembly for the 24 district for Serra and Nevada Counties.[6][7]

 
Botkin and Byington

San Francisco government

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In 1898, Byington was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.[8][2]

On November 8, 1899, he was elected San Francisco District Attorney, serving from 1900 until 1905.[9] As District Attorney, he prosecuted the murderer Cordelia Botkin.[10] He was re-elected twice.[11]

Byington was president of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission under Mayor James Rolph.[12]

Private life and affiliations

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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.[13]

Death

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

Publications

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Byington wrote the following books:

  • Byington, Lewis Francis (1931). The History of San Francisco. S. J. Clarke. OCLC 9592779. OL 6768917M.
  • Byington, Lewis Francis. Downieville and its Historic Past. OCLC 83751114.
  • Byington, Lewis Francis. Sierra County and its Historic Past. OCLC 54234050.

See also

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San Francisco District Attorneys

References

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  1. ^ a b San Francisco and its Municipal Administration 1902, Hon. Lewis F. Byington, page 46
  2. ^ a b c d e "L. F. Byington Dies in S.F." Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. 1943-05-07. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  3. ^ Byington, Lewis, The National Cyclopædia of American Biography, 1941
  4. ^ San Francisco: its builders, past and present, pictorial, p. 249
  5. ^ "Encyclopedia of American biography. New series". American Historical Society. New York. 1895. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  6. ^ "General Election, AD-24 Lewis F. Byington". www.joincalifornia.com. September 4, 1877. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  7. ^ "Legislative Nominees". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. August 31, 1877. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  8. ^ "Doyle Host At Birthday Fete". Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California. May 31, 1935. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  9. ^ "Officials Certain Of Election". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. November 8, 1899. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  10. ^ "TWO LEADING FIGURES IN THE RECENT BOTKIN MURDER TRIAL]". the Tacoma Times. 1904-04-30. Retrieved 2015-08-16 – via Chronicling America.
  11. ^ "Lewis F. Byington". San Francisco Chronicle. 12 Jan 1916, Wed • Page 40. 12 January 1916. p. 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  12. ^ Reno Evening Gazette, Sept. 14, 1931, p. 15.
  13. ^ "Native Sons Dedicate New Building". The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, California. 16 Sep 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
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