He was also a Republican candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1896 and a Judge of the 4th Judicial District of Colorado from 1903 to 1906.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 10, 1906, and received his commission the same day.
[1] Lewis was nominated by President Warren G. Harding on November 3, 1921, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge William Cather Hook.
Lewis was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on March 28, 1929, to a new seat authorized by 45 Stat.
He was the last appeals court judge who continued to serve in active service appointed by President Harding.