Lewis S. Marks
Holding secure poise as one of the vigorous, resourceful and representative business men of Grant County, and exemplifying distinctive civic loyalty and progressiveness, Mr. Marks is a man who commands unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community and is associated with one of the most important and substantial of the retail business concerns of the thriving city of Marion, metropolis and judicial center of the county. He is senior member of the firm of Blumenthal & Company, the large and admirably equipped mercantile establishment which controls a trade that is far reaching and of representative order. The progressive policies of the firm are in harmony with the best and most modern methods, and fair and honorable dealings have given to Blumenthal a reputation that constitutes its best commercial asset.
Mr. marks claims the old Empire State of the Union as the place of his nativity and though he is most loyal thereto and most appreciative of its manifold attractions, he finds satisfaction in having given fealty to Indiana, in which commonwealth he has found ample scope for the attaining of large and worthy success. Mr. Marks was born in the city of Rochester, New York, on the 12th of February, 1859, and is a son of Simon and Hannah (Cockenthal) Marks, both natives of Germany. Mr. Marks gained his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native city, where he availed himself of the advantages of the high school, and he admirably fortified himself for active life by completing the commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Rochester.
On the 4th of April, 1877, when but eighteen years of age, Mr. Marks came to Marion, Indiana, and her he forthwith assumed a clerical position in the mercantile establishment of Blumenthal & Company. Energy, ability, discrimination and courtesy gained to him the confidence and esteem of his employers and the good will of patrons, so that he won steady and substantial advancement. This is significantly shown in the fact that on the first of January, 1880, about three years after coming to Marion, he was admitted to the firm of which he is now the Senior Partner and with the affairs of which he has been closely and worthily identified during the entire period of his residence in the fair capital city of Grant County. He has proved specially versatile and resourceful in the executive control and general management of the extensive enterprise and its pronounced success has been signally furthered through his well directed endeavors. He has insistently followed high business ideals as well as progressive methods, and of these the local public has been duly appreciative. Ina personal way his success is most gratifying to contemplate, and he well merits the high esteem in which he is held in the city which has been the stage of his fruitful activities from the initiation of his business career.
In the midst of the cares and exactions of a signally alert and successful business career Mr. Marks has not become self-centered or selfish, but he has been, on the contrary significantly liberal and public-spirited in his civic attitude, every ready to do all in his power to encourage and support measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. He is specially interested in the work and affairs of the public schools of his adopted city and that he is a valued factor in the directing of the same is shown by the fact that he is at the present time President of the Board of Education of Marion. His nature and viewpoint are such that he has no desire to enter the turmoil of practical politics, though he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and in his home city he is a popular member of the lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On the 22d of October, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marks to Miss Mattie Straus, of Lyons, Wayne County, New York, and the three children of this union are Seymour, Miriam and Walter. The home life of Mr. Marks is one of ideal relations and Mrs. Marks is popular in connection with the social affairs of the community.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 805-6.