My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. LEAVITT. What presents a pleasanter picture than old age gracefully reached after a well spent and prosperous life! There is something very pleasant in looking back upon the years that intervene between childhood and old age, and living in memory all the triumphs and joys of years spent in an effort to benefit self and neighbors at the same time. And such is the case with Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt, who are both about eighty years of age. They are strong and active, and are comfortably fixed in a financial way. True, they have experienced the usual amount of “ups and downs” that come almost invariably in a busy career, but on the whole they have have known much of success and happiness. This is in a great measure due to the fact that they have passed their days-in peace, free from the dissipations and vexations of the gay world.

Mr. Leavitt has made his home in this county for more than fifty years, devoting his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits. His birth occurred near Kaskaskia, Ill., December 11, 1813, being a son of Abijah and Elizabeth Leavitt, natives of Maine. The father came to Illinois in 1803 with Generals Stoddard and Pike, and located on a farm near Kaskaskia. Our subject enjoyed only limited opportunities for an education, attending the primitive schools of his neighborhood. When thirteen years old he began to carry the mail from Kaskaskia to St. Louis on horseback, and continued at this for the following thirteen years.

In 1840 Mr. Leavitt came to Randolph County with his young wife and purchased a small farm. He was soon enabled to purchase another tract, which he likewise improved. He was sufficiently shrewd to grasp at every opportunity for the bettering of his financial condition, but has never done so at the expense of his own self-respect or by fraudulent means. He is today the second oldest resident of the county, and is enjoying good health, and by his correct mode of living has gained a popularity which is merited in every respect. Many and interesting are the incidents of pioneer life that he can relate, and he never fails in gaining attentive listeners.

In 1840 our subject was married to Miss Sarah Nifold, a daughter of Daniel Nifold, a native of Kentucky, but who was a resident of Randolph County at the time of his death. To this marriage were born six children, all of whom are now deceased. In 1864 Mrs. Leavitt was also called to the home of rest, and our subject in 1865 was married to Sarah Meyers. Four children came to bless this union. Emily is the wife of William Wright and lives in this county; Annie married Ed Wilson and is a resident of Sparta; Jessie, the wife of Cul Nixon, resides in this county; Carrie Happick married Charles Bushe, and they also made their home in this county. Mr. Leavitt is a member of the Baptist Church, while his good wife belongs to the Methodist denomination. Politically, our subject casts his vote in favor of the Democracy, but in local matters thinks best to vote for the man and not the party.