Levi S. Alfred
It is through his energy and intelligent application of business principles that Levi S. Alfred, whose name introduces this review, gained a substantial estate as a farmer. Having become well established he persevered in a work, for which he showed special aptitude, and today he is comparatively independent, spending his winters at his home in Manilla.
He is a native of Westport, Connecticut, born June 14, 1857, a son of Lewis and Mary Elizabeth (Scribner) Alfred, both of whom were born in Connecticut. The father removed to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1858 and later lived in Minonk and Odell. In the fall of 1872 he took up his residence at Walnut, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where for twelve years he engaged in farming. In 1884 he settled at Manilla and was subsequently engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with his son, Ira B. Here he died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife departed this life March 24, 1873, being then forty-three years of age. They were reared in the Congregational church but after coming to Manilla Mr. Alfred united with the Presbyterian church. There were five children in their family, two of whom grew to maturity: Ira B., and Levi S.
Levi S. Alfred lived in Illinois until fifteen years of age and attended the district schools, becoming a student in the graded schools of Walnut after removing to Iowa. He grew to manhood in Pottawattamie county and lived at home until twenty-eight years of age. Starting out for himself he purchased eighty acres of land in Nishnabotny township, Crawford county, but later disposed of this land and for several years rented a farm in Johnson county. Having acquired the necessary capital he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Vernon county, Missouri, which he cultivated to marked advantage until the spring of 1909, when he sold his place and removed to Manilla. Since taking up his residence in this town, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Meagher county, Montana, but he still retains his residence in Manilla and spends his winters here.
On the 21st of February, 1885, Mr. Alfred was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Brown, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Harriet (Norrison) Brown, both of whom were natives o·f the Keystone state. They were residents of Johnson county, Iowa, subsequent to their removal to Cedar county, where they continued during the remainder of their lives. There were nine children in their family: John, Eleanor E., Mary, Emma, William, George, Clara, Ann and Harriet. Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred: Mary Eleanor; William L., Harriet A., Robert L., Paul M. and Ira A.
Mr. Alfred was called upon April 14, 1909, to mourn the death of his beloved wife, who passed from earthly scenes at the age of fifty-five years. They journeyed life's pathway together for twenty-four years, in the course of which she greatly endeared herself not only to her husband and children but to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. She was a woman of many rare qualities, whose greatest pleasure consisted in advancing the comfort and happiness of those with whom she was associated. Mr. Alfred has always been faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and has attained marked success by the most honorable methods, never seeking to advance his personal interests to the detriment of others. His religious faith is expressed by membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. Fraternally, he is connected with the Modem Woodmen of America, and while he has not devoted much time to politics, he has supported the men and measures that in his opinion represent the best interests of the country.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.