New-York tribune., 1879-12-31
UARY.
DAVID LEANIrT.

David Lcayitt, one of the last of the very
old merchants of New YOIk, died yesterday morning
his eightyniuth year at the house Of his Edward
Leavitt, at No SO West Nineteentl-st. He born
August 90. 1891. Bethlehem Ltcbfied County, Conn.,
HIS father. who was rich and prominent
I'm that county, all his chil-
dren thorough education. David and his brothers
were prepared for college. hut while his brothers com
pleed their studies, David came TO NewNork in 1913
and entered produce house as clerk Soon after this
he inherited part of his fathers property and formed
a partnership with David lee for the purpose Of cary
ing on the produce business, About 1916 undertook
for the Colombian Government, which hen at war;
TO build and equip war vessel for that Government
and agreed 10 supply all the capital He succeeded IN
interesting the Unitod States Government In
The enterprise, and II assisted him to arm the
vessel. after which he took command and conveyed
il safely to Caraecas He invested 100000 IN the ven
ure. reces the result 100000 IN cash ana the
same amount In 4 draft on London. which after
ward paid About Tins time yoang Leavitt pure hased
cargo of which had been imported bv John Jacob
Astor, who asked HIM IN surprise how so young man
could pay tor IT, Leayiit replied by drawing from his
pocket the required amount n Mr. Asiors notes, which
he had purchased IN the market
In ISL Mr.. LeaNtt married Miss Maria C.
Lewis. Of Gosncn. Conn. In 1924 he removed to
Brookl,n and bnt the housa sill standing at sinds
nhd WdshinS'"n-Sts. 1Ee next gear Le louhueu lhe
Br0okNn Nhte Lead company which SIM contlunes
the manufacture of wlte lead. He had loaned money
Ia manufactures of Who becoming Gl~SiI
fed with their management Ds formed the company,
which stil exists II also at this time that Mr. Lea
became president of the Fulton and Succeeded
In osug the Jacob Barker conspiracy against and
sccurn, Barker's trial.
In 1s2S Mr.. Leavitt removed 10 Brooklyn Heights.
from winch spot toward the south. very few houses
were visible. After this he controlled and man
AGED the ferry 10 Ntw-lOrk. now Fulton Ferry. He
was also q trustee ol the village OF ekiyn Later lac
built the house uOw owned 10y Henry {. Bowen on
BROOKLYN Heights. Mr.. Levitt tnr principal toun-
DEF of tnc Aut AN Exchange Bank aud In 1888 be-
came its president Vine m this position he negotiated
the loan Erriaud behalf Of Illinois, tO enable
taai state. TO complete the Illinois Cana, the
Ilrt0n of whicu de pended the payment OF certain
illinois bonds arg.ly hed IN NewYOrk The bonds had
sunk very low. hut afierwarG pud principal and
interest. IN the pane OF 1897 Mr.. LaVt Is said 10
have Infused confidence nto the hearts of many those
who heard him hv idrcss delivered 10 a crowd IrOm
tne steps o. tine American Exchange Bank.
few years previously he had built country
bon al Great burlington, Mass, and bought
considerable property there, which Is still
M the possession OF the family He became
largely Interested IN the HousatOnic Railroad. became
s president and greatly improved II. lie also
OF the pruciUai stockholders the Home Fire Insur
ance COMPANY Tie leaves an extensive property
Mr.. Lelvu's career remarkably active aud busy
one. He "A man Of great energy. He has been III
for Il long and his death was not unexpected. He
leaves a family, his sons bcirg Edward and Henry
Icavitt OF Newly ork, ana ID avid Lt1vtt OF Dresden.