Benjamin Levan (1806-1886)
Family History
Benjamin Levan was descended from a Huguenot family who came to America early on[1]. His grandfather, John Le Van, settled in Berks County, PA, where he owned a farm[2]. Benjamin Levan's father, Daniel Levan, was one of six children born to John Le Van and Margaretta Kahler[3]. Daniel Levan married Hetty Stout and later moved to Schuylkill County, PA[4].
Early Life
Benjamin Levan was born on October 26, 1806 in Berks County, PA[5]. Benjamin had ten siblings, and, shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Kutstown, PA[6]. Benjamin Levan was a grocer's clerk in Philadelphia for five years, until he relocated to Lehigh County, PA and settled in Ballietsville[7]. He became the superintendent of the Lehigh Furnace in Washington Township, PA, a position that he held for twenty-eight years[8]. Benjamin Levan later moved to Whitehall Township and was integral in establishing the furnace at the Lehigh Valley Iron Company, where he remained for thirty years serving a superintendent and general manager[9]. Benjamin Levan married Maria, the daughter of Steven Balliet Sr, and together they had seven children: Albert, Steven, Francis, Paul, James, Garret, and Susann[10].
Later Life
In 1863, Benjamin Levan was identified as one of the top 20 earners in Lehigh County. He earned $11,130 through his interests in the Lehigh Valley Iron Company and in the Ironton Iron Mine[11]. Benjamin Levan was also an elder of the Reformed Church of Coplay[12].
Notes
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
- ↑ Hellerich 1987, 144
- ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 504
References
- Hellerich, Mahlon Howard. 1987. “A History of Allentown: 1861-1865.” In Allentown 1762-1987: A 225-Year History, edited by Mahlon Howard Hellerich, 91–180. Allentown, PA: Lehigh County Historical Society.
- Mathews, Alfred, and Austin N Hungerford. 1884. History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Everts & Richards.