Senator Philip W. Lewellen View All Years

Philip W. Lewellen

Page County

Born in Delaware County, Indiana, February 3, 1840. He is the son of Philip and Mary A. (Osborn) Lewellen, natives of Virginia and descendants of Welsh and Scotch ancestors. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer and received a common-school education in the old-fashioned log school-house which stood on his father’s farm. From the country school-room he went to Asbury University, where he completed his literary education. In 1862, he began the study of medicine under the preceptor ship of Dr. S. V. Jump, of Burlington, Indiana, with whom he remained three years. He entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, and was graduated in March, 1865. The following May he came to Clarinda and soon began the practice of his profession. As another index of the Doctor’s ability, he was called to serve on the State Board of Health, and for several years he was its president. Politically Dr. Lewellen is a Republican. He represented his district as Senator in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth General Assemblies of Iowa, in which capacity he carried out the wishes of his constituents. While serving as a member of the board of trustees for Iowa’s insane hospitals, he saw the necessity of a third hospital, and through his untiring efforts, aided by William Butler, then a member of the House, the hospital was located at Clarinda. Having for many years made diseases of the mind a special study, it was fitting upon the part of the State to make Dr. Lewellen superintendent of the establishment. He was united in marriage May 30, 1865, to Miss Alice Weidner, a native of Delaware County, Indiana. His wife was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Lewellen belonged to Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., to Clarinda Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., and to Pilgrim Commandery, No. 20. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Clarinda.

Senate District 7