United Mine Workers UNION Photograph JOHN L. LEWIS UMWA Vtg 40s Panoramic View
The Lewises moved to Panama, Ill., where John was elected president of UMWA Local 1475. Thereafter, Lewis largely devoted himself to the UMWA, remaining a bold and visionary labor leader. John L. Lewis was born in Lucas, Iowa, on Feb.12, 1880, to Tom Lewis, a coal miner from Wales, and Ann Watkins, the daughter of a founder of the local Mormon church (RLDS).