My Genealogy Hound

PETER Y. LEVENGOOD, deceased, formerly a leading merchant of Pottstown, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born July 15, 1848. He was a son of John and Susan (Yohn) Levengood. His mother, born in 1816, is still living. His father died in 1879, at the age of sixty-two years, and was buried at Old Pottstown cemetery. By occupation he was a stone mason and farmer. He always resided upon the homestead in Berks county, where he died. His widow lives in Berks county on the same farm. John Levengood was a Democrat in politics and held the offices of supervisor and school director for several years. He and his wife were members of the Reformed church. They had nine children, as follows: Rachel, Samuel, Caroline, Elizabeth, Peter Y., John, Mary, Jacob and James. John and Mary were twins. Rachel and Mary are deceased.

John Levengood (grandfather) married Christine Baker and lived in Berks county, near Glendale, where he was a farmer of considerable prominence. Both died many years ago and were buried at Old Pottstown cemetery.

John Yohn (maternal grandfather) married Elizabeth Reifsnyder. They lived at the Swamp, Montgomery county, he being a farmer by occupation. For several years he survived his wife, who is buried at Swamp churchyard and he at the old Pottstown cemetery.

Peter Y. Levengood attended school in the neighborhood of his home until he was eighteen years of age. He then worked upon adjoining farms until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. He learned the painting trade and worked four years at that occupation for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. He next turned his attention to quarrying, in which he was engaged for three years, and was next employed at the baking business for six years. He sold the bakery and built his last place of business, establishing a flour and feed store in 1885. This he conducted for twelve years and then entered the grocery and provision business, in which he was interested until his death. He also built several properties adjoining the one in which he carried on his store.

Mr. Levengood was married, October 17, 1874, to Ella, daughter of Christian and Matilda (Fritz) Yergey. They resided in that section of Montgomery county, where they were prosperous farmers. They had nine children, as follows: Jacob, Mahlon, Luther, Harry, Ella, Agnes, Sally, Ambrose and Candace. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Levengood had seven children, of whom six are living, as follows: Nellie, born April 23, 1881, died August 4, 1881; Newton L., a mechanic of Pottstown, born in 1875, married Miss Ada Ratz, and they have one child, deceased; Clarence, born January 16, 1877, a mechanic of Pottstown, married Miss Naomi Prisn and they have one child; Jennie, born January 26, 1882, married Frederick Roland, and their son, Leonard, born October 6, 1900 is deceased; Brooklyn, born April 16, 1884, Minnie, born September 24, 1892, and Robert, born December 23, 1894, are all living with their mother.

Mr. Levengood was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Order of United American Mechanics of Pottstown. He was a successful merchant and a prominent citizen, enjoying the esteem of the entire community. He died March 17, 1904, in the faith of St. Paul’s Reformed church, of Pottstown, to which he belonged and of which Mrs. Levengood is a member.