HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 15 serious disability led to his honorable discharge, but though his term of service at the front was brief he made a great sacrifice for his country. Having recovered his health, Mr. Leavitt engaged in general mer- chandising at Mineral Ridge, Ohio, in 1864, but later in the same year sold out this business and removed to Brazil, Indiana, where he joined J. B. Warner in mining operations. They purchased the Birch Creek mine, which they operated for some time and then sold to the Lewis Coal Company. At that time Mr. Leavitt purchased one hundred and eight- een acres of timber land near Brazil and at once began to clear away the trees and prepare the property for sale. He subdivided this tract into lots, which constitute what is known as William Leavitt’s first addition to the city of Brazil. Later he purchased another tract of land which he subdivided and which is known as Leavitt and Wilson’s first addition and which included forty lots of the Indianapolis Rolling Mill Company. He has recently sold a considerable tract of land to the Brazil Fence Company. In his real estate operations he has met with gratifying suc- cess, for his property has proved marketable and he has received good prices for his realty. Mr. Leavitt was married on the 7th of September, 1865, to Miss Margaret Lewis, a native of Wales, born in June, 1845, and a daughter of John and Mary Lewis, who came to this country during the infancy of their daughter,Margaret,crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel,which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York after a voyage of six weeks. They did not tarry in the east but made their way westward to Niles, Ohio, and throughout his remaining days Mr. Lewis engaged in business as a coal operator and farmer of the Buckeye state. His family numbered seven children, four sons and three daughters, but only two are now living; Mrs. Leavitt; and Mariah, the wife of J. B. Warner, who resides in Youngstown, Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt was blessed with eight chil- dren, five daughters and three sons, and those still living are: Carrie ; William H.; Ethel, the wife of C. McGaughey; Mary, the wife of Dr. Franklin C. Dilley, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Margaret and Frances, both at home. The family are well known socially in Brazil and the members of the household have an extensive circle of friends in the city. Mr. Leavitt belongs to General Canby Post, No. 2, G. A. R., and takes great delight in the campfires of that organization. He is also con- nected with the Knights and Ladies of Security and in politics is a stal- wart Republican, having given unfaltering support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been a member of the school board for two terms and at the present writing, in 1908, is serving as a member of the city council. In citizenship he is public spirited and has done effective work both in office and out of it for the welfare of Brazil. In addition he is recognized as one who follows modern, pro- gressive principles in the conduct of his interests and at the same time maintains a high standard of business ethics. LEVI P. HOLSTON.—An experienced and skilful agriculturist. Levi P. Holston occupies a prominent position among the leading farmers of Lewis township, and as a man of enterprise and energy has performed his full share in the upbuilding of this part of Clay county and attracting to it a thrifty and industrious class of people. A son of Commodore Perry Holston, he was born in Lewis township June 6, 1858, of English ancestry. Vol. 11—2