WI BIO - Lafayette Co - LEVITT, John

Commemorative Biographical Record of Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and 
Lafayette, Wisconsin, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and 
Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families. Chicago: 
Beers, 1901, p 149

Deceased. The name LEVITT is a familiar one to the old settlers of 
Monticello Township, Lafayette County [Wisconsin], one they have all learned 
to respect because of the manly qualities of those who have borne it. John 
LEVITT, was born in Yorkshire, England, 12 June 1816, and his early life was 
passed in his native county. In 1832 he came to America, proceeding at once 
to Wood County, Ohio, and in 1838 located in [the Territory of] Wisconsin, 
his first home being within the confines of Green County, near Monroe. On 10 
March 1839, he arrived in Monticello, where he secured a claim of government 
land on Section 34. This tract proved very valuable under his careful 
management, and he improved it with good buildings, and made of it a 
comfortable home.

On 11 March 1844, Mr. [John] LEVITT was united in marriage with Miss Sarah 
ALDERSON, a native of England, and their union was gladdened by ten children, 
two of whom died in infancy. The others were: (1) Mary Ann, Mrs. PETERS, 
who died 09 December 1900, while on a visit from her California home to the 
old homestead in Wisconsin; (2) Richard, a resident of California; (3) 
John, a resident of Monticello Township [Lafayette County, Wisconsin]; (4) 
Luther B., at the old home; (5) Cynthia E.; (6) Charles W.; (7) Edwin D.; 
and (8) and Alice B., wife of James LAMONT, of Cherokee County, Iowa. Mr. 
[John] LEVITT died at his home 22 March 1897, having passed the age of eighty 
years. The wife and mother [Sarah LEVITT, nee ALDERSON] whose birth occurred 
26 April 1827, still survives, lovingly cared for by her devoted children. 
The LEAVITT [spelled differently here] homestead is one of the oldest in this 
part of the county, and has been in the continuous possession of the family 
for over sixty years. [Sixty years before the biography was published would 
be 1841. Iowa County was created in 1829, and in 1841 was part of Michigan 
Territory. The Territory of Wisconsin was created 20 April 1846. Land in 
Iowa County that extended to the Mississippi River was divided into the 
territorial counties of Grant and Lafayette, both created in 1846. A 
boundary adjustment occurred between Grant and Lafayette Counties on 23 
December 1847. Wisconsin became a State 29 May 1848.]

Mr. [John] LEVITT had not reached man's estate when he came to this country, 
and was wholly without means, but his steady habits, clear head and willing 
hands furnished him with what proved to be ample capital, and he gained a 
competence sufficient to enable him to enjoy all the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life during the evening of his career. He was a public-spirited 
citizen, and took a deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare of his 
community. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Church, steadfastly 
endeavoring to practice in his life the faith he professed. Two of his 
brothers, William and Richard, also came to this country, and became well 
known in Monticello Township [Lafayette County, Wisconsin], both highly 
respected. The latter [Richard LEVITT] removed in 1890 to Kansas, where his 
death occurred on 15 March 1900.

[The 1881 History of Lafayette County does not contain a LEAVITT biography, 
but does mention a Rev. J. S. LEAVITT, who in 1870 had charge of the 
Darlington Mission, formerly called the Hamilton Grove or LaFayette Circuit, 
and by 1881 known as the Methodist Episcopal Church. Listed among the names 
of men who came to what is now Lafayette County, Wisconsin, "during the next 
few years" after 1839, are J. and W. LEAVITT.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly