Levi Finch

As printed in 1915

LEVI FINCH.

Levi Finch, of Fairbank, is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of the county and is now engaged in the conduct of a shoe store and clothing establishment. He was born in Lester township on the 20th of July, 1865, and his parents were among the earliest settlers of the county, having made the overland trip from Pennsylvania to this state in 1853, at which time they took up their above in Independence. At a later date they removed to a farm in Lester township and it was upon that place that the subject of this review was born. Further mention of this family is made in connection with the sketch of Ira Finch on another page of this work.

Through the period of his boyhood Levi Finch divided his time between attending the common schools and working in the fields. He was still comparatively young when he began learning the painter's trade and he also learned the shoemaker's trade, both of which he continues to follow. He has one of the best equipped shoe shops in this part of the state, including all of the latest improved machinery operated by gasoline power. In addition to making shoes and executing contracts for painting he carries a stock of boots and shoes and also sells tailor-made clothing.

In Waterloo, Iowa, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Bertha Richards, who was born in Lester township on the 5th of March, 1875. She was there reared to womanhood and has always been a resident of this county. Her father, John Richards, was born in Pennsylvania, and is now residing in Minnesota. Her mother, Mrs. Emma (Dewald) Richards, was likewise born in the Keystone state and passed away in Lester township. In the Richards family there are five children who survive: Mrs. Isabelle Hetherington, now residing in Missouri; Mrs. Finch; Fred, who is a resident farmer of Fairbank township; Dora, who is living in California; and Albert. All were born and reared in Lester township.

Air. and Mrs. Finch have become the parents of five children: Mary, who was born August 1, 1896, in Lester township and is a graduate of the Fairbank high school of the class of 1914; Ella, who was born in Lester township, November 7, 1898; John, born in Fairbank, March 20, 1901; Myro, born in Fairbank, August 23, 1903; and Julia, born September 17, 1905. In his political views Mr. Finch is an earnest republican and gives stalwart support to the party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Fairbank but his efforts are concentrated upon his business. He is a splendid workman and his time is completely taken up with his two trades and with the management of the shoe business. He is a man of genuine worth, reliable and trustworthy in all connections, and he has an extensive circle of warm friends in his native county.

As printed in History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.