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 from 1899 to 1900 and as District Attorney of San Francisco from 1900 to 1906.
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Early life and education
Byington was born on May 24, 1868, in Downieville, California. He was the son of Robert Lewis Byington and Catherine Freehill Byington.
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.
Career
Lewis Byington was a member of the California bar. He practiced in the Supreme Court and Federal Courts of California.
San Francisco government
In 1898, Byington was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
On November 8, 1899, he was elected San Francisco District Attorney, serving from 1900 until 1906. As District Attorney, he prosecuted the murderer Cordelia Botkin. He was re-elected twice.
Byington was president of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission under Mayor James Rolph.
Private life and affiliations
Byington was unmarried. In retirement, he made his home in San Francisco.
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.
Death
On May 7, 1943, Byington died of pneumonia at Stanford Hospital in San Francisco. He was buried at the Holy Cross Mausoleum.
Publications
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.