Chatham County GaArchives Biographies.....Levy, Benjamin H. before 1860 - living in 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 13, 2004, 11:08 pm

Author: William Harden
p. 627-628

   BENJAMIN H. LEVY, leading merchant and public-spirited citizen, occupies the
prominent place he does today in Savannah's business and social activities
because years ago he came here and laid well the foundation for an honorable
career; that the passing decades have witnessed dation for an honorable career;
that the passing decades have witnessed his prosperity is due to his own keen
insight into human nature and to his sterling qualities as an upright business man.

   Benjamin H. Levy was born in Alsace-Loraine (then part of France), and came
from his native land when a youth, to Savannah, Georgia. For a short time he
clerked in the store of Julius Polinski, on Bryan street, before he made a
business venture of his own. In 1871 he started out for himself, August 26th,
opening a retail store at the corner of Bryan and Jefferson streets, where he
remained until October, 1874. On that date he moved to the corner of Congress
and Jefferson streets and here he soon built up a large country trade. In
August, 1877, the business having increased, its quarters were extended to
include an additional store room on Congress street, and he continued to do
business at this location until 1885. In October of that year he removed to 161
Congress street, where he remained till October 1, 1895, when the present
commodious quarters on West Broughton street, near Bull street, were occupied.
In February, 1904, to accommodate increased business, another story was added to
the building, making four stories. In 1891, a branch store was established at
Brunswick, Georgia, which, like the parent establishment, has continued with
undiminished success. The business was at first conducted by Mr. Levy, under his
individual name. Later, his brother, Henry Levy, became a member of the firm,
the name of which was then changed to B. H. Levy & Bro. On February 29, 1904,
Arthur B. Levy, the son of B. H. Levy, and Sidney Levy, the son of Henry Levy,
were admitted to the firm, and the name was changed to B. H. Levy Bro. & Company.

   The Levy store handles both men's and women's clothing and furnishings, on a
large scale, and is one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in
Georgia. The store on Broughton street has a frontage of sixty feet, has four
stories and basement, and is equipped and conducted in the most modern and
up-to-date manner, one hundred and twenty-five people being employed. The
"square-deal" spirit which pervades this establishment makes it popular alike
with employe and patron.

   Mr. Levy is active in both the business and the social life of Savannah. He
is a director of the National Bank of Savannah, vice-president of the Georgia
State Savings Association, director of the Savannah Fire Insurance Company. The
board of curators of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences includes him as
one of its members, and he has fraternal identity with the Masonic order; he is
a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.

   Mr. Levy was married March 1, 1876, to Miss Rebecca Dryfus, of Savannah, and
a native of Brockhaven, Mississippi. Besides the son above mentioned as being in
business with his father, they have three other children: Stella, wife of Mr.
Simon Gazan; Miss Lucile Levy and Miss Clarice Levy.


Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

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