Biographies
CHARLES D. LEVERING
The horticultural possibilities of the
Fair Oaks district have been tested thoroughly and successfully by Mr. Levering
since first he came to this locality. Recently he completed one of the finest
residences in the district, a two-story frame building fitted with every modern
convenience, arranged so as to reflect the refined tastes of its owners. The
attractive appearance of the house is heightened through its excellent location
on a well-chosen natural building site which affords a fine view of the entire
settlement. A study of the life of C. D. Levering shows that he belongs to an
honored pioneer family of the east and was born at Sparta, Wis., September 15,
1861. At an early age he accompanied his parents to Iowa and settled upon a
tract of raw farming land in Polk County, where he received a common-school
education and learned the rudiments of agriculture. His opportunities were very
meagre. Indeed, what he has and what he is may be
attributed to his own determination, energy and sagacity, rather than to any
special advantages surrounding his boyhood. When he started out to earn his own
way in the world he took up the lumber business and for about three years he
engaged in that work in Iowa, his home and his headquarters being at Wiota, Cass county, during the period of his interests in
that industry.
At the time of the celebrated opening of
Oklahoma to settlers in April of 1889 Mr. Levering was in the territory and
experienced all of the excitement incident to the famous
rush. Later he purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Omega,
Kingfisher County. It was no slight task to clear and improve the property, but
eventually he had transformed the raw acreage into a valuable farm provided
with all the appurtenances to modern agriculture. The raising of stock proved
his principal source of income and he became widely known as a dealer in
purebred Poland-China hogs. Other stock was to be found on his place, but his
specialty for years continued to be hogs of the breed named.
Not long after he had commenced the
improvement of the farm Mr. Levering brought a bride to the new home. Returning
to Cass County, Iowa, he there married February 20, 1893, Miss Eva Burnette, who was born, reared, and educated in that county
and there engaged in teaching school for a few years. Her health was
unfavorably affected by the Oklahoma climate and it therefore seemed wise to
seek another location. On three different occasions Mr. Levering visited
California and inspected various parts of the state with a view to remove
hither. On one of these trips he bought raw land at Fair Oaks. The timber was
cleared from the ground through his own sturdy labors,
the brush also was removed, the first furrows turned in the soil and the land
brought under cultivation. Since he brought the family here in 1905 he has
labored incessantly and judiciously on the place and has developed a fruit farm
of exceptional value and attractiveness. Besides the home place of ten acres,
situated in close proximity to the plant of the Fair Oaks Fruit Company, he
owns another tract of twenty-five acres. He has planted ten acres to orange
trees and ten acres to almonds and is bringing the entire acreage under
profitable improvement.
Close attention to his own affairs has not
prevented Mr. Levering from identifying himself with many of the movements for
the general prosperity. When first a bank began to be agitated as a needed
institution for the town he joined in the movement and subscribed for a number
of shares of the capital stock. When the concern became a substantial fact and
business was begun, he was chosen a member of the board of directors. Likewise
he bought stock in the Fair Oaks Fruit Company at the inception of that
enterprise and to its board of directors he also was chosen, since which time
he has been associated with the successful management of this influential
concern. Interested in educational matters, he has given his children excellent
advantages. The son, Roy, is now a student at Oakland, where he studies civil
engineering. The older daughter, Fay, attends the Sacramento high school, and
the younger, Fern, is a student in the Fair Oaks schools. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
generous contributors to its maintenance. Stanch in his allegiance to the
Democratic party and well-informed in politics, Mr.
Levering never has sought or filled official positions. During the period of
his residence at Wiota, Iowa, he became connected
with the Odd Fellows and held all of the offices, including that of Past Grand,
in the Wiota Lodge. About the same time he became a
Knight of Pythias and in it also he served through
the chairs, finally being chosen past grand chancellor of the local lodge. As a
citizen he has been progressive and loyal and has given his support to those
enterprises which he believes tend to advance the welfare of the people.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1045-1047.
Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.