From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Lewis, Oliver

(born: December 1856 - died: January 30, 1924)

Oliver Lewis won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 aboard Aristides. Ansel Williams, also an African American, was the trainer. Oliver Lewis was born in Woodford County, KY, the son of Elnora Keys Lewis and Goodson Lewis [source: Cincinnati Ohio Death Certificate]. He was the husband of Lucy Lewis. In 2010, the Newtown Pike Extension in Lexington, KY, was renamed Oliver Lewis Way.

UPDATE - from Yvonne Giles:

Oliver Lewis, who was born in Woodford County, KY. He was NOT the brother of jockey George Garrett Lewis.

OLIVER LEWIS

Birth December 1856. Woodford County, KY.

Death January 30, 1924, Cincinnati, OH, burial in African Cemetery No.2 in Lexington, KY.

Ninth U.S. Census. 1870. Woodford County, Versailles, KY. Index 549A

Granvill (Goodson) Lewis, age 40, farm hand

Ellen (Elanora) Lewis, age 37

Sallie Lewis, age 17

Julia Lewis, age 16

Oliver Lewis, age 14, farm hand

Lidia Lewis, age 8

James Lewis, age 6

William Lewis, age 5

Evelina Lewis, age 2

John Lewis, age 1 month

Tenth U.S. Census. 1880, Fayette County, Lexington. Census Index 324A

Elanora Lewis, age 43. Widow, cook

Sallie Lewis Darnaby, age 22, cook

Jackson Darnaby, age 25, coachman

John Darnaby, age 4 months

Oliver Lewis, age 22 (also listed in 1880 on McGrath's farm. Index 170B)

Lydia Lewis, age 20

William Lewis, age 14

Eveline Lewis, age 12

John Lewis, age 10

Martha Lewis, age 2

Mary Lewis, age 4 months

Obituary: Lexington Leader, Feb. 1, 1924, 2,8.

Ohio Death Certificate #03071. January 30, 1924

For more see Black Winning Jockeys in the Kentucky Derby, by J. R. Saunders and M. R. Saunders; Dictionary of American Negro Biography, by R. W. Logan & M. R. Winston; and Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 56, 2006. See also K. Ward, "Newtown Pike extension to be renamed Oliver Lewis Way," Lexington Herald-Leader, 08/31/2010, p. A3; Ancestry.com.