Daniel Webster Lewis, Jr. was born 18 July 18 1897 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma to Daniel W. and Mary Nancy (Capers) Lewis. After completing his elementary and high school education in Kingfisher, Lewis earned a teacher's certificate at Emporia's Kansas State Normal School. Lewis later returned to school, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Education at Kansas State Teachers College in 1926 and a Master's of Science in Education from the University of Kansas in 1938. He also did advanced study at the University of Washington in Seattle and Columbia University in New York City.

Lewis began teaching at Lincoln School in Kingfisher from 1922-1924, after which he became principal of Phillips School in Armourdale (Kansas City, Kansas) and began his 40 year teaching career in the Kansas City, Kansas schools. After one year he became principal of Lincoln School in Argentine (Kansas City, Kansas), where he remained until 1930. From 1930 to 1948 Lewis was the principal of Grant School and from 1948-1951 principal of Douglass School, both in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1951 Lewis replaced Solomon H. Thompson as Supervisor of Elementary Schools in Kansas City, Kansas. He continued in this position until his retirement in 1964.

In addition to his professional career, Lewis was active in the First Baptist Church of Kansas City, Kansas and in several fraternal organizations. He has held positions of responsibility in both Alpha Phi Alpha (Beta Lambda chapter) and Sigma Pi Phi.

Lewis married Jennie Elizabeth Riley on 1 June 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas. Daniel W. Lewis, Jr. died 25 December 1989.