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Lewis F. Byington
District Attorney of San Francisco
In office
1900–1905
Preceded byDaniel J. Murphy
Succeeded byWilliam H. Langdon
San Francisco Supervisor
In office
1898–1900
Personal details
Born(1868-05-24)May 24, 1868
DiedMay 7, 1943(1943-05-07) (aged 74)
San Francisco, California
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionLawyer

Lewis Francis Byington (May 24, 1868 – May 7, 1943) was an American lawyer, author, and Democratic 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 a 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, 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.[4][5]

Botkin and Byington

In 1898, Byington was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.[6][2] On November 8, 1899, he was elected San Francisco District Attorney, serving from 1900 until 1905.[7] As District Attorney, he prosecuted the murderer Cordelia Botkin.[8] He was re-elected twice.[9]

Byington was president of the San Francisco civil service commission under Mayor James Rolph.[10]

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. On September 15, 1912, Byington acted as chairman of the ceremonies, during the dedication of the new NSGW, speaking to the audience about the history of the building and the difficulties in its completion.[11]

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 at 75 of pneumonia at Stanford Hospital, San Francisco. He was buried at the Holy Cross Mausoleum.[2]

Publications

Byington wrote the following books:

See also

San Francisco District Attorneys

References

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Doyle Host At Birthday Fete". Santa Rosa Republican. Santa Rosa, California. May 31, 1935. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  7. ^ "Officials Certain Of Election". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. November 8, 1899. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  8. ^ "TWO LEADING FIGURES IN THE RECENT BOTKIN MURDER TRIAL]". the Tacoma Times. 1904-04-30. Retrieved 2015-08-16 – via Chronicling America.
  9. ^ "Lewis F. Byington". San Francisco Chronicle. 12 Jan 1916, Wed • Page 40. 12 January 1916. p. 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  10. ^ Reno Evening Gazette, Sept. 14, 1931, p. 15.
  11. ^ "Native Sons Dedicate New Building". The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, California. 16 Sep 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-10-05.

External links

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