Ida (Hollister) Lewis became a member of Auxiliary #18, Shamokin, Pennsylvania, in 1906, at the age of 21. In 1910, she served as its President. In 1912, Ida came to Milwaukee, and shortly after, transferred to C.K. Pier Badger Auxiliary #4. Two years later, she was elected Treasurer. In 1922, she was appointed Department Patriotic Instructor. She also served as Personal Aid under Wisconsin's first National President, Minnie Groth of Baraboo (1922-23). She was in charge of the convention arrangements during the 1923 National GAR Encampment in Milwaukee.

Pres. Ida Lewis

In 1923, Lewis was elected Department President. The Wisconsin Dept. consisted of 1,130 members in 15 Auxiliaries. It was during her term, that the widely known Milwaukee Drill Team, of which she was a member, was organized. This was the same year that her husband, Roy, joined C.K. Pier Badger Camp #1. The two had married in 1909. In addition to their Sons and Auxiliary work, Ida and Roy raised three children: LtC. Harry J., Mary L., and Raymond.

Ida was appointed National Chief of Staff in 1925 and National Patriotic Instructor in 1933. She was elected National ASUVCW President in 1936. SUVCW Commander-in-Chief Allan Dyer reported that Ida, "their tactful, determined and active National President, has been untiring in her zeal for the Sons and we owe her much...Her cheerfulness is contagious."

At the 1937 National Encampment, held in Madison, a marble GAR Memorial bench was placed at the city's hospital. The following year, she was instrumental in a joint project with the Wisconsin Dept. SUVCW and LGAR. The Orders placed a bench at Milwaukee's Soldiers Home and dedicated it during the Dept. Encampment held in the city that year. During successive years, benches were also dedicated at Baraboo and Madison. After her term as National President, she took an interest in developing Auxiliary #4's Junior Program for girls 10 to 16 years old. Her husband was elected Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief in 1943.

Subject to attacks of illness in late years, she died August 9, 1944, and was buried in Holy Assumption (now St. Martin of Tours) Cemetery in Franklin, Wis.

Auxiliary to the
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Department of Wisconsin

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