The Levering Families of Knox County, Ohio

FRANK O. LEVERING.

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence and through that confidence rises to high and important public trust, he at once becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community and state. Frank O. Levering, ex-probate judge, and one of the leading attorneys of this section of the Buckeye state, is one of the scholarly, public-spirited, progressive citizens of the locality of which this history deals, who, not content to hide his talents amid life’s sequestered ways, has by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in a responsible and exacting calling, and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of public service.

Mr. Levering is a worthy representative of two of our sterling pioneer families and his life has been spent in Knox county, his birth having occurred in Middlebury township on September 29, 1862. He is the son of John Cook Levering and Carrie (Richardson) Levering. When Ohio was a vast wilderness and the land still in possession of the government, and the above of Indians and many species of wild beasts, the Levering family invaded its primeval solitudes and the name has been well known here ever since, figuring more or less conspicuously in the annals of the county of Knox, especially. The first progenitors of this family came to America in the latter years of the seventeenth century — Gerhard and Wigard Levering, who were sons of Rosier Levering, who was born in Holland of Anglo- Saxon parentage, his father and mother having been exiled from England on account of their religious belief. Rosier Levering married Elizabeth Vandewall, of Westphalia, Germany, and their son Gerhard was born in Camen, Germany, in 1660. In 1685, accompanied by his brother, Wigard, he crossed the Atlantic to America. Gerhard Levering married, and among his children was Daniel, who was born on December 2, 1704, and on May 12, 1735, Daniel was married, in Christ church, Philadelphia, to Margaret Beane, and they lived on a farm of one hundred acres in Whiteplain township, Montgomery county, New Jersey. To them was born a son, Henry, on June 10, 1738, who was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. For many years Henry Levering lived at the Durham iron works in New Jersey, but in 1785 he removed to a farm in Bedford county, Pennsylvania He married Ann Wynn, and to them was born Daniel Levering, the subject's great-grandfather, in New Jersey, on February 3, 1764. In 1785 he accompanied his parents to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he married Mary Kerney. In 1811 he visited Knox county, Ohio, and purchased a large tract of land from the government, in Owl creek valley, where he later located with his family and there spent his remaining years, starting as pioneer in the forest. His death occurred in 1820, his widow surviving until October 24, 1846, dying at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They were devout Presbyterians and leading citizens in the community.

Noah Levering, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 1802, and in 1813 be came with his parents to Knox county, Ohio, and here he was married on March 25, 1828, to Armanella Cook, daughter of John and Ann Cook, who came to Ohio from Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1805. Noah Levering was a farmer and his death occurred on March 4, 1881, his wife having preceded him to the grave on June 13, 1879.

John Cook Levering, father of the immediate subject of this review, was born on the old family homestead in Middlebury township, September 11. 1829, being the eldest of a family of ten children. He assisted his father with the general work on the farm and when twenty-one years old he purchased a farm of eighty acres and began farming for himself. In the year 1860 he was united in marriage with Carrie Richardson, daughter of Daniel and Thankful (Camp) Richardson, the father being a well known lumber merchant in New York for many years. Mr. Levering continued farming and adding to his holdings until he became one of the extensive landowners and substantial farmers of the county, actively interested in everything that made for the general progress of the community. He had an extensive reputation as a stockman, handling the best grades in the county, winning many first premiums, and he did as much if not more to improve the grade of domestic animals here in his day as any one. In 1866 he became a member of the Knox County Agricultural Society, of which be was a member for many years and for a number of years the president of the same. In 1881 he was elected a member of the Ohio state board of agriculture, and be assisted in the purchase and improvement of the present beautiful state fair grounds at Columbus, Ohio. For six years he was a member of the board, and was its first treasurer in 1885 and its president in 1886. In 1883 he represented Ohio in the national convention. In 1887 Governor Foraker appointed him a member of the Ohio centennial board. In 1890 he read a paper at the request of the secretary of the State Society of Agriculture before the Ohio agricultural convention on “ Farmers’ Horses and Horse Breeding.” This led to the formation of the Ohio State Draft and Coach Horse Association in 1891, of which Mr. Levering was the president for three years. In 1871 he was elected commissioner of Knox county and re-elected in 1874, and many of the substantial improvements of the county were made during these years He was a life-long Democrat in politics, and in 1886 his party nominated him for Congress in the nineteenth Ohio district. He was always painstaking and conscientious in the performance of all public duties and he became known throughout the state, especially as an agriculturist and stock man, and his influence was very potent and far-reaching in promoting modern phases in both. He was a man of keen business discernment, sound judgment and wise foresight, public-spirited and always ready with time and means to further any laudable undertaking for the general good of his locality. Early in life he became a member of the Presbyterian church and was a devout church member. He was a good and useful man and enjoyed the confidence, admiration and universal esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred September 13, 1903, and his widow is still living.

Frank O. Levering spent his youth on the farm and obtained his early education in the district schools, which he attended in the winter time, assisting with the general farm work during crop seasons. He later attended and graduated with honors from Eastman’s Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1885 he entered the mercantile business at the village of Levering, Knox county, but not finding this line of endeavor entirely to his liking he abandoned the same in 1890 and took up the study of law in Mt. Vernon in the office of Hon Frank Ah Owen and was admitted to the bar in 1892. He immediately began practicing in Mt. Vernon and he has built up a large and growing clientage, taking a place in the front rank of the legal profession in a locality long noted for the high order of its legal talent. He has kept fully abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his profession, winning a reputation for persistency, caution and a safe and prudent advocate, with few equals and no superior. In 1883 he was appointed a member of the county board of elections and he performed his duties so faithfully that he was twice re-appointed. In 1896 he was elected probate judge of Knox county, which office he filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment and giving evidence of attributes of a superior order and a fidelity to right that knew no bias. Retiring from office, he resumed the practice of the law, which he has continued with his usual success.

In connection with his professional duties, Judge Levering has been actively associated with the gas and oil development of this section of the state, and through his efforts much of the success of the field is attributable, and he has met with much success in a business way.

Politically, the Judge is an uncompromising Democrat, as was his honored father before him, and he has been active and prominent in party councils. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1900, and his work in committees has been effectual and has resulted in much good to the party. He has been a very influential delegate to county, district and state conventions. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the chapter.

council and commander, and is a past officer in all of the bodies; he is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and has filled the presiding offices in these lodges, being prominent in fraternal circles of the county.

Mr. Levering was married in 1886 to Byrdess E. Leiter, daughter of Capt. C. P. Leiter, a prominent citizen of Shelby, Ohio, of which city he was mayor for a number of years and otherwise an influential citizen there. To Mr. and Mrs. Levering have been born six children, namely: Howard A.,

Russell Edgar, John Collin, Nina May, Carlos and Ada.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MILTON G. LEVERING.

Milton G. Levering, a member of the firm of Levering Brothers, is associated with a business enterprise that contributes largely to the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of Predericktowii. As buyers and shippers of live stock, grain, hay and feed, their business furnishes an excellent market for the farmers of the outlying districts and thereby adds to the general success, at the same time bringing to them a very gratifying income.

Milton G. Levering first opened his eyes to the light of day in Morrow county, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1868, his parents being Charles B. and Mary J. (Grove) Levering. His parents directed his study, his play and his work in early years, thus aiding to shape a character worthy of respect and to develop a life of usefulness. He mastered the common English brandies of learning in the district schools and pursued his more advanced studies in the Chesterville high school. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching and for nine years successfully followed that profession through the winter months, while the summer season he worked upon the home farm. He was a capable educator, being both a good disciplinarian and instructor, and his labors received the commendation of the majority of the residents of the districts in which he was employed.

On the 30th of October, 1894, Mr. Levering married Miss Anna McConnell, who was born in Fredericktown, her father, John S. McConnell, being a retired farmer of this' place. In 1896 Mr. Levering joined "his brother in the work of farming and stock-raising, which they carried on together for a year. They then dissolved partnership and for a year Mr. Levering was engaged in farming alone. In April, 1900, however, "he once more entered into partnership relations and purchased the grain warehouse and business conducted many years by M. J. Simons. Their shipments and purchases of grain, hay and feed are so large that they are ranked among the most prominent representatives of this branch of business in central Ohio, and their stock shipments also add largely to their income. They are deserving of much praise for. their success, which has resulted for earnest and untiring efforts and unflagging perseverance. They are reliaMe and resolute, straightforward and energetic and are widely and favorably known in Knox county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HOMER B. LEVERING.

Homer B. Levering is now one of the most extensive and prosperous dealers and shippers in live stock, hay, grain and feed in Knoix comity. It is always a pleasure to see true merit suitably rewarded, to behold the prosperity of those who eminently deserve it, as does the subject of this review. At an early age he learned one of the great lessons of life — that there is no royal road to wealth, and as he was not above work he toiled industriously until he won not only a very comfortable competence but also the esteem and confidence of the people with whom he has been associated. Work, the true friend of mankind, has developed his latent resources and brought out the strong, self-reliant force of his character.

Mr. Levering was born in Morrow county, December 14, 1874, and he and his elder brother and partner, Milton G. Levering, are the only children of Charles B. and Mary J. (Grove) Levering. The father was born in Waterford, Knox county, in 1839, and died in 1893. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Grove, and then located on a farm in Middlebury township, where he made his home for a number of years. He then removed to Morrow county and resided in Franklin and Chester townships until his death, his efforts at farming and purchasing shipping stock being crowned with prosperity.

Under the parental roof Homer B. Levering spent the days of his childhood, and in the common schools he attained his early education, which was followed by a course in the Austin high school. When only fifteen years of age he began his career as a stock-buyer, and as time passed his business in that direction increased until he has long been ranked among the leading stock-buyers and shippers in this portion of the state. After his father's death he and his brother purchased the home farm and later bought an adjoining tract of land of sixty-five acres. In April, 1900, they bought the warehouse and business so long conducted by M. J. Simons, and they are now extensive buyers and shippers of hay, grain and feed, as well as of live stock, Milton G. Levering, however, being interested only since April, 1900.

On the lath of October, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Ea Boone, a native of Fredericktown, and a daughter of Charles Boone, a prominent farmer of this county. They now have an teresting little son, Harold '. In his political views ]\Mr. Levering is a liberal Democrat, voting for the party, but never seeking office, for his attention is fully occupied by his large business interests. His keen perception of business possibilities and his improvement of opportunity have led to success, and his reputation for straightforward dealing is unassailable.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.