Lewis Orin Barrows served as the Governor of Maine from 1937-1941. Barrows was born in Newport, Maine and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Maine. After he completed his pharmacy degree, he went into business with his father at his pharmacy in Newport, which they renamed "Barrows and Barrows" in 1917.

Barrows was a member of the Maine National Guard's Second Regiment, Infantry. He was sent to the Mexican Border in 1916, and was a member of the band.

Lewis Barrows was very active in the Republican party in the state. Before Barrows was elected Governor he served as treasurer of the Town of Newport for twelve years. In 1926 he became a Republican State Committeeman, in 1936-1937 he served as the Secretary of State.