Lewis, Spencer

Spencer Lewis (1854-1939) was a Methodist Episcopal Church missionary to China. He received a B.A. from Northwestern University (1879) and attended Garrett Biblical Institute. Lewis married Esther Bilble ( 1859-?) in 1881. Later that year they sailed for China. Upon arrival in Chinkiang he was ordained, and he remained there for one year of language study. In 1882 he moved to Chungking where he began preaching in rural areas. Lewis was appointed superintendent of the West China Mission in 1888 and established a school for boys that year. His wife began a school for girls the following year.