New York, Lewis Publishing Co. 1903
Page 108
Levi Billings
Levi Billings is proprietor of the Springhill dairy farm of Mantua township, Monroe county, and is one of the popular, intelligent and prosperous citizens of this locality, where he has made his home since 1851. He is also entitled to representation in this volume because he was a loyal soldier of the Union army during the Civil war. His birth occurred in Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, August 30, 1845, and the family moved to Williams county in the northwestern part of the state when he was an infant.
His father, Ed Billings, was born in Vermont and was a son of Elias Billings, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, and who represented one of the old families of that state. His death occurred in the Green Mountain state. It was in Vermont that Ed Billings was reared, and when a young man he emigrated westward, settling in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in Cuyahoga county to Amelia Gildersleeve, a native of that county and a daughter of Joseph Gildersleeve, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, and whose wife died during the infancy of Mrs. Billings, who was then reared by her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Beebe.
In 1851 the parents of our subject arrived in Iowa, having made the journey westward by team and wagon. They settled on Miller’s Ridge, but the father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred in 1855, when he was but thirty-five years of age. He left a widow and six children, of whom four are now living, namely: Mrs. Dorcas Soles, of Illinois; Levi; William, of Kansas; and Orlando, of Missouri. Those who have passed away were Mrs. Ellen Dodge, of Appanoose county; and Anson, who died at the age of forty-nine years. The mother long survived her husband and passed away at the age of seventy-three years.
Levi Billings was a little lad of six summers when the family came to Monroe county, and he can remember in those days when two to five yoke of oxen were driven to the breaking plow. He was early taught to work, and the habit of industry thus inculcated has been one of his salient characteristics in later life. He obtained his education in a subscription school, and in 1862 he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company B, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Wilcox and Colonel Summers. He served for three years, one month and twelve days as a loyal defender of the Union, and in addition to his long experience in the war, he also cast his first vote and was married before he was twenty-one years of age. He joined the army on the 17th of August, and his regiment formed a part of the rough rider command of the western army. He marched 4,888 miles over the plains of the west in 1864, and was at Fort Kearney, at Julesburg, Colorado, in Utah and at Yankton, South Dakota, participating in a number of engagements with the hostile Siouxs and Cherokees and other warlike tribes. He had also crossed the plains to Pike’s Peak, Colorado, in 1862, driving an ox team. At Omaha, Nebraska, he was honorably discharged and at once returned to his home.
It was on the 12th of August, 1866, that Mr. Billings was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tyrrell, a daughter of Oliver Tyrrell, who came to the west in 1845 from Lorain county, Ohio, with a team and wagon. Her mother bore the maiden name of Melvina Johnson and was born in Virginia. The father carried on agricultural pursuits in Iowa until his life’s labors were ended in death at seventy-five years of age. His political support was given the Republican party and he was a member of the Christian church. His wife, who was an earnest Christian woman, passed away at the age of seventy-four years. In their family were ten children: Mrs. Ellen Hoskins, Mrs. Billings, Mrs. Hulda Wilson, who is deceased; Mrs. Lora Elder, who died at the age of thirty-five years; Eliphalet, who resides in Mantua township; William, who is living upon the old homestead in Mantua township, Monroe county, where the little log cabin still stands; Mrs. Eliza Gabb, of the same township; Mrs. Ann Miller and Mrs. Catharine Wignall, both of Mantua township; and Mrs. Leona Cook, of Wapello county.
Since his marriage Mr. Billings has devoted his energies untiringly to agricultural pursuits, and his farm property now comprises two hundred and thirty-three acres of rich land, on which are found unfailing springs of pure water. His place is appropriately named the Springhill dairy farm, for he is extensively engaged in the dairy business, keeping twenty-three cows for this purpose. Every equipment known for a model farm is found upon his place, and neatness and thrift characterize every department of the farm work. The sale of his dairy products brings to him an excellent financial return and he also realizes a comfortable competence from his harvests.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Billings has been blessed with nine children: Mrs. Ida Beebe, of Nebraska; Clinton, who is living upon a farm adjoining the home place; Willard, of Monroe county; Mrs. Minnie Lesenger, of Avery, Iowa; Mrs. Ella Porter, of Albia; George, Albert, Harrison and Daisy. Mr. Billings is a stalwart Republican, unfaltering in his advocacy of the party principles, and on questions of the day he keeps well informed. He has held a number of township offices and is a member of James R. Castle Post No. 313, G.A.R., of Avery, in which he has twice served as commander. He has also been an officer in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are people of genial manner and social disposition, and are popular with a large circle of friends.