Dr. Dio Lewis (1823-1886)
Diocletian Lewis (Dr. Dio Lewis) was born on March 3, 1823 in Auburn, New York and died on May 21,1886. Dr. Dio Lewis, was a temperance leader, feminist, preacher, social reformer, food/health faddist and thought by some to have been an eccentric. His father had been a “notorious drunkard,” perhaps leading to his strong belief that alcohol was a great evil. In the 1880’s, Lewis and his mother, Delecta, began leading groups of followers into saloons to pray for their closure, as well as for the souls of the owners and bartenders. In addition he also published books on how evil alcohol was. He was hostile toward Southern Europeans and opposed immigration based on their wild and frequent drinking habits. He viewed them as immoral and degenerate, and once stated;
"And what is the secret of their demoralization? The women drink!!! Every woman, as well as every man; and during the time I was there, I never heard a woman decline to drink, except because of sickness; and one hour
after dinner you could see the effects of wine-drinking in the face and eye of
every women of the company."