Alonzo “Lon” Milton Lewis
Our great-grandfather Alonzo “Lon” Milton Lewis, was born in February 1868 probably in San Saba, Texas as the fourth child of Stephen and Medora Lewis. Lon grew up in San Saba and left for Oklahoma in 1892 at the age of 24.
San Saba was a developing area at the time, having been settled in 1854 in-part by Lon’s father, Stephen Lewis, who was noted as a founder of the Harmony Ridge community on a historical placard. The town was named for its location on the San Saba River. It became a county seat in 1856. By 1884, the town had four churches, two schools, a sawmill and a gristmill, a bank, a paper, and a population of 800. The Lancet newspaper was being published by 1896, when population had risen to 1,200. Population decreased to 889 in 1904.
Excerpt from San Saba County history online
Following his move to Oklahoma, Lon pursued a career in law enforcement. Based on several press articles, Lon was appointed as Tulsa’s first permanent deputy U.S. marshal for the northern district of the Indian territory in 1895 under S.M. Rutherford and Lee E. Bennett. He also served as a lieutenant under Captain Bill McDonald of the Texas rangers. Lon eventually worked his way to becoming the first sheriff of Tulsa County, elected at the statehood election in September 1907.
Numerous local press articles impart tales of his daring work to deliver criminals to justice. One newspaper quote stated, “He (Lon) became noted as an outlaw catcher, compatriot of Bud Ledbetter of Muskogee, and Hiram Stephens of Claremore.” Another article from 9 September 1897 in the “Muskogee Phoenix” described an incident where Lon, despite having resigned as Deputy U.S. Marshal, shot and wounded a wanted man named Smith:
“Lewis waited until Smith went to supper at Charley Padden’s house, near Fry, and waltzed in on the gentleman, and requested him to throw up his hands. This the outlaw attempted to do, but with the old time trick of bringing a six-shooter along with it. Lon Lewis, however, is no tenderfoot, and quickly noted the intention of this man, and as quickly fired, the ball from his Winchester entering Smith’s arm just below the elbow. Smith gave up and was taken to Sapulpa, where it was found necessary to amputate his arm. There was, we understand, a considerable reward offered for Smith dead or alive.”
In 1908, Lon resigned as sheriff of Tulsa because of poor health. Articles and public commentary paid tribute to him for being one of the best known officers of the state.
Daisy Oleva “Leva” Thompson
Our great-grandmother Leva was born in March 1878 in Lawrence County, Missouri, judging from census data and partial records of sibling births. Her father, Joseph, was a farmer, and he along with Leva’s mother, Mary Calkins Thompson, was born in Indiana. Leva was one of seven children. She appears to have moved to Oklahoma before her parents relocated there in around 1910, judging from her 1878 marriage to Lon. It remains unclear why a young, single woman would move from Missouri to Oklahoma. It’s likely she had family already residing in Oklahoma or that she met Lon before moving there.
Marriage
Lon married Leva on 19 March 1898 in Indian Territory, Muskogee, Oklahoma. Around 1900, Lon and Leva were living in Creek Nation, Indian Territory Township 18, sharing a residence with Lon’s mother-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, according to census data.
Together Lon and Leva had the following children:
- Phocion (1898- )
- Velma (about 1902- )
- Orthus (1904- 1961)
- Mary (about 1908- )
- Nell (about 1916- )
By 1910, Lon and Leva were living in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, and Lon appeared to become a general farmer in his retirement from law enforcement. Lon died in 1925 in Beggs, Oklahoma. His memorial had the following statement:
“Alonzo ‘Lon’ Lewis was the first sheriff of Tulsa County and prominent in Okmulgee County law enforcement. He was married to Leva Thompson in 1897 and had 5 children: Phocian, Velma, Arthur, Mary, and Nell.”
After Lon’s death in 1925, Leva lived with her mom and two daughters, Nell and Mary, in Beggs, according to 1930 census data. She likely stayed there until her death in 1943, according to family history; official records of her death cannot be located.
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