San
Joaquin County
Biographies
ROBERT EDWARD LEVENTON
A blacksmith, who, after having conducted
his own ranch-shop for twenty years, and thereby widening his experience, has
become one of the most expert smiths in San Joaquin County, is R. E. Leventon,
senior member of the firm of R. E. Leventon & Son, at 119 North Hogan Road,
Manteca. He was born near Oleta, Amador
County, on December 29, 1864 and as a boy enjoyed the educational facilities
offered by the public schools of that locality.
In his fourteenth year, he pushed out into the world, and has since been
thrown upon his own resources.
In 1879, therefore, he left Amador
County to ride to Modoc County ranges, and on attaining his eighteenth year he
entered the stock field, where he kept busily engaged for the next thirty-two
years. He purchased a choice farm near
Lookout, in Modoc County, and there married Miss Kate M. Brown, who was born in
Yolo County, the daughter of H. S. Brown, a prominent citizen for many years
supervisor, and now deceased. Three
children blessed this union. H. L.
Leventon has a wife and one child, and for the past fifteen years has served as
superintendent of road construction in charge of the California State Highway
from Sacramento to Merced. Inez is the
wife of V. E. Brownell, and they have three children, and reside at Escalon,
where they are engaged in ranching. E.
M. Leventon has a wife and two children, and is a partner of our subject, and a
member of the Lions Club of Manteca.
In 1911 Mr. Leventon leased his
ranch to his brother, and removed to Modesto; and after conducting a livery
there for three years, he came to Manteca.
On August 29, 1914 he acquired the pioneer blacksmith shop of Walter
Harrell, and he has steadily built up a large and well-paying business, and
since 1918 has been operating in a new and larger building erected by himself
and his son. About three years ago he
disposed of his ranch; and his interests are all now in this county. The enterprising firm of R. E. Leventon &
Son does a general blacksmithing and horseshoeing business in all branches,
making a specialty of acetylene welding, and is headquarters of the Oliver line
of farm implements. Their shop is
equipped with modern machinery, and their high standard precludes the
possibility of any working being delivered in an unfinished state.
Mr. Leventon has always been
distinguished for his progressive and public-spirited policies, and his
fellow-citizens have never failed to appreciate these desirable qualities and
attainments. He was foremost in the
construction of the first rural telephone line in Modoc County, and this company
today serves its patrons by means of over 150 miles of lines. He was elected city councilman of Manteca in
April, 1920 and served as chairman of the health and safety committee having in
charge the construction of the sewer farm, and in November, 1922 he was elected
chairman or mayor. He has also done much
in public and private charity work. He
is a Democrat, and is a member of the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Masons of
Manteca and the Sciots of Modesto. He
was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce of Manteca and is a member
of the executive board. He is deeply
interested in the purchase of the Melones Reservoir Site and has given of his
time and means to promote the proposition.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George H., History of San
Joaquin County, California , Pages
1617-1618. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Genealogy
Databases