Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-11-16

Levi Fleming, whose name has been
a household word since Wausau was
organized, died last night, Monday,
November Is, 1915, at 1870 O'Clock.
He was at G. M. Fleming'S, his
nephew, about six weeks ago, for din
ner, after which he walked down
town. He was seemingly very well,
but had a hard fall and was injured
so that he had to be taken home.
From that time he has been confined
to his home and to his bed, and has
gradually failed until the last.
Levi Fleming for many years was
the oldest inhabitant of the city, hav-
ing came here II years ago. For
many years his age has kept him at
home and from entering any activi-
ties, but there was time when Levi
was one of the best known men in
Wausau. There are few here now
who knew him at his best. He was
the most generous of men, and in
those days when anything had to be
done for our people, or for the city,
which needed some ingenuity to &C
complish, Levi Fleming was called
upon to work out the problem. He
would give his time freely for any
good purpose, and especially to help
his fellow man in sickness or distress.
Not one thing but good can be said of
this most excellent man during his
long life among us. OF all those who
had lived here, from the time of the
pioneer days, there are none more
worthy to have his name perpetuated
for the good done for humanity than
Levi Fleming. He literally took life
as it came to him, without worry Of
the future, and sunshine and happi-
ness was always in his wake. This
has been characteristic of him up to
the time of his death, though age
had incapacitated him and lie was
not able to do for others as in days Of
yOre, still he was ever cheerful and
optimistic, ever looking on the bright
side of life. He never would hold a
public office.
Wausau was only a place of a few
Shanties when he came. He told in
his life few interesting facts which
we have at hand, viz:
The first white child born in Wau-
sau was Henry Moore, in the fall of
1915.
The first wedding was that of Val
entine Harding, in the summer of
1916.
The first woman who came to Wau-
Sau was Mrs. Baxter, in 1899.
The first natural death in WauSau
was that of Daniel Aschtenbach in
1915.
In 1914 a man was killed by the In
dams, and several were killed in the
woods, and one fell off the bOOms and
was drowned. This was all before
Aschtenbach's death.
There is much that Levi Fleming
has given to the history of this
pinery, but time and space forbids
mention of same at this time.
He was brave man, having fought
in many of the battles of our country.
He saved life and limb on our river
by his bravery and by his knowing
how to do things. While others
thought he was acting. He has been
placed in positions where he had to
ride over the falls at Merrill and
Wausau on a saw log, and has made
the trip over these falls on an oar
stem.
Levi Fleming was born in Marietta,
Washington county, Ohio, April Sd,
| 1921. His father was the third white
| child born in what was then the terri
tory of Ohio, which was admitted to
the union April 30, 1902. In 1878 the
| first permanent settlement, under
| the national government, was made
at Marietta and the county became
| known as the Northwest territory.
He continued to reside at his home
in Ohio until he was 10 years of age,
when he went down the Ohio river to
Illinois where he met men going to
| Quincy and he joined their party.
He remained there for a while, then
went back to Ohio for year. Later
he went to northern Illinois, where
he purchased land intending to make
farm, but gave this up and when he
was % years of age he came to Big
Bull Falls, the name of Wausau at
| that time. He walked from Stevens
Point to Wausau, his companions be-
ing VIM. Foot, VIM. Dorm, John
Piatt and Hiram Pearson. They had
been hired to come here to work.
| Stevens Point he said, was then a
place of only one good house, besides
number of Indian wigwamS. The
first people Levi met when he came
here were Milton Charles, MIR. and
Mrs. Frances Brezette, John La
Fountain and Morgan Coles.
Levi Fleming lived in Ohio until he
was % years of age and in 1874
| he went to Rockford, Illinois, resided
there for a few months and then, on
October 18th of that year, he came to
Wausau, or Big Bull Falls, as it was
then called. He heard of the great
openings and advantages for men. Of
the good wages paid TO labOrers and
he made up his mind to be a pioneer.
He went TO work chopping logs for a
few days after his arrival, receiving
$500 per month, which in those days
was regarded as good pay. He worked
seven months. losing three half days,
but made thirteen days in over time,