Mathew McFarlan Lewey (December 1848 – August 12, 1935), was an American newspaper editor and publisher, postmaster, lawyer, politician, and justice of the peace in Florida.[1] He also served as an officer in the Union Army, and as a militia officer.[2] Lewey, who was from Baltimore, Maryland, was the first licensed Black male lawyer in Florida.[3][4][5][6] He was a member of the National Negro Business League. He also used the name M.M. Lewey.[7]
Early life and education
Lewey was born in Baltimore, Maryland in December 1848.[3] His parents were Eliza (née McFarlin) and John W. Lewey.[7] He had limited education up until age 15, and at age 16 he was sent to New York to live with his aunt Emeline Carter and his grandfather Rev. William McFarlin.[7] After his move he attended the African Free School No. 2 (or Mulberry Street School) on Mulberry Street in New York City.[7]
In 1876, he moved to Newnansville, Florida (near Gainesville).[9] Lewey served as the postmaster and mayor (1875–1877) of Newnansville, Florida.[3][10] During that same time from 1875 to 1876, Lewey was justice of the peace for Alachua County.[3] He represented Alachua County in the Florida House of Representatives in 1883.[3][8] He served as a Gainesville councilman from 1886 to 1890, and 1891.[3]
In c. 1885, Lewey and Josiah T. Walls published The Farmers' Journal.[11] In 1887, Lewey established the Gainesville Sentinel (one of Florida's first Black newspapers) which became the Florida Sentinel newspaper in Pensacola when he relocated there in 1894.[11] He served as its editor and publisher.[12]
In 1905, he started a Pensacola street car boycott, due to segregation.[9] In 1919, Lewey was a founding member of the Associated Negro Press.[9]
Death and legacy
He died at age 88 on August 12, 1935, in Jacksonville, Florida.[3] He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gainesville.
^Dogan, Reginald T (29 June 2006). "Historic home of Florida's first black lawyer/editor goes up in smoke". Pensacola News Journal. p. C.1. ProQuest435996700.