Henry Leveke

AUGUSTINE, CAMPHOEFNER, JOLLIFFE, KLEINSCHMIDT, LEVEKE, MERRILL, MINSHALL, PERKINS, SANDERS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/15/2004 at 14:16:50

Henry Leveke, a native of Germany, is one of the substantial, well-to-do farmers of Winterset, owning five hundred acres of excellent land in this county and three hundred and twenty acres in Adair county. He was born June in, 1847, in the province of Lippe-Detmold, the region in which the Germanic tribes defeated the Roman legions in 20 B. C. His parents, Henry and Amelia (Sanders) Leveke, were both born in that province, the former in 1813 and the latter two years later. Henry Leveke, Sr., was a mason and had the reputation of being an excellent workman. He was employed at his trade in the erection of many important structures, including the castle and other buildings owned by the Prince of Lippe-Detmold at Schieder. He served his term in the German army, was burgomaster of his town and was an elder in the German Reformed church. He was not only prominent but was popular and sincerely respected in his community. His first wife died in 1852, leaving five children, and he subsequently remarried, having one son by his second wife. He passed away in 1879 when about sixty-six years of age.

Henry Leveke of this review was the third in order of birth of six children and remained with his father and stepmother until 1867, when, not wishing to enter the army, he left for the United States in company with a sister and made his way direct to Herman, Gasconade county, Missouri, where he lived with an uncle. He had previously learned the mason's trade, which he there followed for one year, but in 1868 came to Winterset and was employed on the erection of the courthouse and also worked on some of the better residences of the county. In 1869 he worked at his trade in Des Moines and later assisted in building the state house. In the meantime he had invested his savings in land in Adair county and in 1872 began farming on section 25, Grand River township, that county. He raised, fed and shipped stock extensively, and his financial resources steadily increased, as he managed his affairs wisely. From time to time he bought more land, eventually acquiring five hundred acres in Madison county and three hundred and twenty acres in Adair county. In 1903 he retired and took up his abode in Winterset, where he is now living in well earned leisure. His success has not been due to any fortuitous advantages but solely to his willingness to work and ability to plan his labor so as to secure the greatest possible results.

On the 19th of March, 1871, Mr. Leveke married Miss Rosina Augustine, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on the 6th of March, 1851, a daughter of Christian and Margaret Augustine, both natives of Germany. The father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, learning his trade in Germany, and in 1857 took up his residence in Adair county, Iowa, where he became the owner of considerable land in Grand River township. He specialized in the raising of high grade stock and was very successful in that occupation. As a workman in his trade he was painstaking and skillful. Mrs. Leveke passed away on the 19th of November, 1908. She was the mother of nine children. Mary Amelia is the wife of Rev. Camphoefner, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, stationed at Webster City, Iowa, and they have three children. Fredericka gave her hand in marriage to John Kleinschmidt, bookkeeper in a wholesale house of St. Louis. Frederick, born March 4, 1877, became a well known farmer and passed away on the 4th of March, 1910. Henry, whose birth occurred on the 10th of February, 1879, is a successful farmer in Webster township, Madison county. Mary is the wife of S. M. Joliffe, a jeweler of Logan, Iowa, and they have one child. Rosa is the widow of Elmer Minshall and also lives in Logan. Ernest, born June 26, 1886, is a city advertising solicitor for the Des Moines Daily News. He is married and has one child. Harry W., born December 18, 1891, is married and is farming the homestead in Adair county. Ruth, the youngest of the family, is studying music at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa.

On the 1st of January, 1912, Mr. Leveke was united in marriage with Miss Clara E. Perkins, for many years a prominent teacher of this county. She is a daughter of E. G. and Rose (Merrill) Perkins, more extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Leveke is a republican with progressive views and has taken an active part in public affairs in this county. He has held all of the township offices, was secretary of the school board for ten years and since removing to Winterset has served on the school board several terms, much of the time as president, and for two years has been councilman. He is equally active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and while living upon the farm was for seventeen consecutive years superintendent of the Sunday school of Wesley Chapel of Webster township, this county, and contributed generously to the erection of the church edifice. During the many years that he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he not only accumulated a handsome competence but also aided in the development of this section of the state along the lines of farming and stock-raising and at all times he has done his share and more in promoting the moral and civic advancement of his community. All those who know him, and his circle of acquaintances is a wide one, entertain for him sincere respect and there are many who value highly his friendship.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”