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The Clyde Levi Family Lawrence Clyde Levi was born November 23, 1879 in Wexford County, Michigan. His father's name was Antoine Pierre Levi and his mother's maiden name was Edith Gertrude Copley. It is not known when or where he died. However, it must have been some time after 1920 and probably in Texas since he was living with his family in Waller County, Texas at the time of the 1920 census (Volume 167, edition 125, sheet 9, line 20). Clyde had at least two brothers. The first brother was also named Lawrence. This Lawrence, was born two years before Clyde and died as a baby when he was just over one year old. Clyde's other brother was named Earl Antoine. Earl was eight years younger than Clyde. It is generally accepted that Clyde and Earl had a serious disagreement regarding the disposition of their father's estate. Since their father Antoine Pierre, died December 14, 1913, this disagreement must have originated in early 1914. After their falling out, it is thought that Clyde "got mad" and left Michigan with his family. It has also been said that other members of the family (his sisters) lost touch with him and didn't know what had become of him. While it is very probable that most of this account is true, there is one piece of evidence that indicates Clyde had may have had some contact with his sisters and brother after he left. I write this because descendants of Clyde's brother Earl, have a photograph of Clyde and his family that was taken about 1915. Earl's granddaughter Carol, wrote me the following note regarding the photograph: "I found the very same picture you sent us (Clyde Levi and Family Circa 1914-1917) in with my family's old photos. The one with everyone sitting on the lawn. This postcard says on the back: 'The tall man with the hat at his side is Hotel Proprietor, lady and little girl are his wife and daughter. We had just arrived at this place (Williamsville, Missouri) when a picture man came up and said "Want your picture taken?" I said sure, so you see results.' Then in ink on top of that Clyde Levi and Family. I Couldn't believe it." Later (by 1920) , as I previously mentioned, the family wound up in Waller County, Texas Some time prior to the 1900 census,
Clyde traveled to Florida where he married Maggie M. White. At the
time, he was probably there working for his father Antoine who is known to
have conducted extensive timber cutting operations in both Michigan and Florida.
Antoine's second wife Margaret (Mattie) was from Florida and he probably met
her their in about 1900. I do know that Clyde and Maggie had quite a few children. The 1915 picture of Clyde and family has seven children who probably all belong to him and Maggie. The 1920 census indicates the following six children:
I believe some of the children's ages shown in the above list are incorrect as a copy of Ervin's birth certificate indicates he was born March 15, 1908. This would have made him 12 years old at the time of the 1920 census. The birth certificate also indicates his full given name was Ervin Alvin Levi and that he was born in Wexford Township, Michigan (near the village of Buckley); his father's full name was Lawrence Clyde Levi (occupation Farmer, born in Michigan) and his mother's maiden name was Maggie M. White (born in Florida). Of all the children, the only ones I know anything about are Lawrence, Charlie, and Ervin. Most of what I know pertains to Ervin. Lawrence was a witness who signed Ervin's marriage license. Other than this I know nothing more about him. Charles (or Charlie) I do know a bit about. He was close to his younger brother Ervin and at one point, the two of them were partners in an accounting business. Charles married a woman named Dorothy and together, they raised several children (one of which was named Shirley). I do remember meeting some of their grandchildren (Eddie and John) when I was a little kid myself. I also know that they lived in Bakersfield, California (By the early 1960's). On August 10, 1927, Ervin married a woman named Miriam Ruth Skipp. Ervin and Miriam met while they were attending the Billings Polytechnic College near Billings, Montana. They made their first home in Billings and raised three children (Anita, Patty, and Bobby). Both Ervin and Miriam were two smart and very hard working people. In the late 1930's, they moved their family to California where they prospered. Ervin made a good living as an insurance and real estate agent. He was an avid scratch golfer who hit 13 witnessed hole-in-ones by the time he passed away on June 29, 1981. As it so happened, he suffered a heart attack and died while playing golf at Laguna Secca golf course, in Monterey County, California. He also liked to play the accordion and electric organ. In his later years, he also learned to fly a plane. Miriam, loved to work in her garden and she was also an excellent seamstress. She was also very active in her church (non-denominational Christian Community Church) and a number of community service organizations. On November 10, 1974, Miriam was killed in a tragic automobile accident that occurred in Pebble Beach, California. Besides their children, Miriam and Ervin were also survived by five grandchildren. One curious matter that should be noted here is that sometime in the late 1930's, both Charles and Ervin changed their last name from Levi to Deleve. I don't really know the true reason for this, nor have I heard any reasons that make sense or fit any of the facts. I also don't know if any Charles or Ervin's other siblings did the same. Be sure to check out the photo album for more pictures of the family.
Copyright©2004 by Doug Meharry. All rights reserved. |
