Lewis Hawthorne is proprietor of the Lewis Hawthorne Sash & Door Manufactory, which he has developed to substantial proportions. He began the business in a small way but has constantly conducted his interests in such a manner that a liberal patronage is now accorded him. He was born November 11, 1871, on board a vessel while his parents were coming from England. The captain of this vessel was Captain Lewis, an old resident of North Haven, and in his honor Mr. Hawthorne was named. His father. Thomas James Hawthorne, was a native of England and came to the United States in 1871, establishing his home at North Haven, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1879, when he was forty-nine years of age. He was a builder by trade and was quite successful in his undertaking. He married Fannie Campbell, who died in New Haven in 1889. at the age of sixty years.
     In a family of eight children Lewis Hawthorne was the seventh in order of birth. He acquired a common school education in Cheshire and when nine years of age started out to earn his own living, being employed by a farmer, Harmon Humiston, in Hamden. There he remained until he reached the age of seventeen as a farm hand when he began dairying and farming in partnership with his former employer. He was thus active to the age of twenty-six years, when their interests were advantageously sold and Mr. Hawthorne entered the service of the Fuller Construction Company of New York city. With that firm he continued as foreman for six years, at the end of which time he resigned his position to come to New Haven and here, in 1903, he established his present business in the old Halsted and Harmont building on Water street, which is now occupied by the City Supply Company. He began in a small way in a little two-story frame building with but one employe. His business developed, however, and after remaining at his first location for six years he removed to 49 Chestnut street, purchasing the old plant of the Killam Carriage Company. On the 8th of April, 1912, this building was destroyed by fire and Mr. Hawthorne at once began the erection of a new and modern building which is one hundred and forty-one by one hundred and fifty feet. The growth of his trade is indicated in the fact that he employs twelve men. He does a large manufacturing business, selling entirely to the local trade, manufacturing doors, sash and interior trimmings. His well equipped plant, the progressivenesg of his business methods, his thorough reliability and his enterprise have constituted the chief factors in the attainment of his prosperity.
     On the 28th of May, 1901, Mr. Hawthorne was married in New York city to Miss Sophie Kanasky, a native of Russia, and to them has been born a son, Thomas James, who was named in honor of his grandfather and whose birth occurred in New York, May 16, 1902. In politics Mr. Hawthorne is a republican but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of New Haven and is interested in all of the projects put forth for the upbuilding of the city, the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of civic standards. His life is guided by high and honorable principles as a member of the Plymouth church. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Starting out on his own account when a boy but nine years, he early learned the value of industry and economy and utilized those qualities in the attainment of his present success. He has steadily advanced until he is now at the head of a prosperous and growing business and owns an attractive home at No. 1315 Boulevard.