Living in Bendigo and Melbourne for periods, he worked at various times as a grocer's assistant, farrier, coach-builder, and tram conductor.
In 1896, Lewis went to Western Australia, where he was initially employed in a foundry.
He later found work with Western Australian Government Railways, and rose to the position of stationmaster.
Lewis was prominent within the Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees, serving at various points as chairman of the Perth branch and secretary of the state branch.
At the 1911 state election, he contested and won the seat of Canning for the Labor Party, defeating the sitting member, William Gordon.
However, his time in parliament was short-lived, as he was defeated by the Liberal Party candidate, Robert Robinson, at the 1914 election.
Lewis died in November 1935, aged 65, at which point he was living in Maylands.
He had married Clara Hillier in 1902, with whom he had eight children.