Lewis, Virgil A.

Lewis was a native of Mason County, West Virginia. He was born in a log cabin. He was nine when his father died and he had to assist in the upbringing of his younger siblings. As he grew older he held various jobs including grocery boy, shipping clerk, drug assistant, and printer's devil. He received a teaching certificate. His career path led from educator to principal, superintendent, editor, author, State Superintendent of Schools, and the first State Historian of West Virginia.