Stemler, Lewis (Victoria), was born at Wiesbaden, Prussia, in October 1845. His father, Frederick Stemler, left Prussia and settled in California during the mining excitement there; came to British Columbia in 1858, and established the business known at Stemler & Co., and in 1867 returned to San Francisco. Mr. Stemler first engaged in the furniture business with Weiler & Co., and remained at this for six years. In 1873 he went to the Cassiar mines, where he became interested in one claim which he worked for some months. He then left a man in charge of it and took a position as toll collector. Shortly afterwards he obtained an interest in the business of H. Gerke & Co., general merchants of Cassiar, where he remained until the following autumn, when he sold to H. Gerke and returned to Victoria. Here he established a coffee and spice business in partnership with G. Leiser, under the firm title of Stemler & Leiser. In the following autumn he purchased Mr. Leiser's interest and conducted the business in his own name until August 1881, when he removed his business to Wharf Street and formed a partnership with Mr. Thomas Earle. Four years ago the firm removed their place of business to Government Street, where they are now located. The business has continued to flourish and they now do the largest trade in their line in the Province. In politics Mr. Stemler is a Conservative but he does not take an active interest in public matters, his private business taking up all his time. Mr. Stemler is a Protestant and adherent of St. John's Church, Victoria.
Biographical Dictionary of Well-Known British Columbians. With a Historical Sketch. By J.B. Kerr (Vancouver, B.C.: Kerr & Begg, 1890). pp. 123-456.