San Francisco County
CHARLES M. LEAVY
CHARLES M. LEAVY, Chief Appraiser of the port of San Francisco since July, 1889, was born in Germany in 1839. He was quite a boy, living at Americus, Georgia, when the war broke out, but hastened North in order to tender his services in behalf of the Union, and enlisted in the Ninth New Jersey Volunteers. This regiment certainly participate in more engagements than the average during the war. It was taken from Annapolis, Maryland, on the steamers George Peabody and Annie E. Thompson to Roanoke, North Carolina, being three weeks on the voyage, owing to bad weather, it finally arriving in time to take part in the engagement and capture of Roanoke. This occurred in what was known as “Burnside’s expedition.” Mr. Leavy was also in action at Newbern, the taking of Fort Macon, Kingston, Goldsborough, Little Washington and other engagements. Following the above, the regiment was brigaded (General Jesse L. Reno in command), and was in several spirited actions, being connected with the army of the Potomac. In 1863 it was attached to the Army of the James, and took part in many prominent contests in Virginia, being at Fredericksburg, in the battles of the Wilderness, etc. After the engagement last mentioned, Mr. Leavy was taken sick from exposure and over exertion, and he was taken to the hospital at Newbern, where his recovery was slow.
Upon leaving there he determined to go to California. Sailing from New York city on the Golden Rule to Nicaragua, he went thence by the Moses Taylor (Captain Blethen), and arrived October 2, 1864. He soon went into the cigar business in the old “Blue Whig.” At No. 526 Montgomery street, in partnership with his brother, since deceased, under the title of Leavy & Bro. In 1868 he moved to No. 508 Montgomery, and remained there in the Parrott building until 1879, having accumulated a snug little fortune. That year he engaged in mining speculations and lost a large amount of money.
Mr. Leavy has always been a decided Republican. In 1880 he took an active part in the Garfield campaign, and his first political office was that of Assistant Appraiser here, holding that position during the Arthur administration. Being removed for strong partisanship by President Cleveland, he engaged in the insurance business. In the last campaign he was also active, being chairman of the Fifth Congressional District Committee and conducting Mr. Phelps’ canvass. Mr. Leavy has been prominent in other directions. He was senior Vice-Commander of the Starr King Post, G. A. R., and the second Quartermaster of the post before it was merged into Lincoln Post. He assisted materially in organizing the Veteran Corps, and was the first delegate elected here to attend the annual encampment at Philadelphia, which elected General Logan Grand Commander. He is a member of the Eureka Benevolent Society, which dispenses large sums of money continually for purely charitable purposes.
Mr. Levy married Miss Frances Simon, a lady of splendid education and great culture. They have seven children, all born here. The eldest daughter is now a graduate of the State University, and two of the sons are in college.
Transcribed
by Joyce and David Rugeroni.
Source: “The Bay of
San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 356-357, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Joyce & David
Rugeroni.