The Denver Jewish news., 1922-12-27
From Peddler to State
Treasurer
By FRED L. HOLMES

FOfty-tWO years ago, an Immigrant
youth began peddling notions and nee
dies and other such wares among the
farmers of Green County, Wis, down
in the cheese country. To America he
had come in 1880, a lad without money
or friends. As he plOdded along, with
the proverbial pack on his shoulders,
he, like the hero of Senator Vests
Grafton, already knew that money is
all too easily spent; that comrades of
prosperous days are often those who
shun you when you are poor, and that
the greatest longing in mans soul
is service. Sol Levitan, the peddler,
wanted to be trusted. and to serve. To-
day forty-two years later, Sol levi
tan, president of one of the largest
banks Of Madison and the state has
been chosen by Wisconsin us state
treasurer.
Solomon Levitan had long, dusty
rond to travel in reaching his cherish
ed ambition. Sometimes he grew
aweary on the road. Sometimes he
stumbled. But he came up smiling in
defeat. No Inconvenience could lure
him from his path. He was frank.
He was businesslike He was shrewd
There was competition among ped
dlers in those early days. Horses they
could not afford to buy. Automobiles
were unknown.
There was one farmer who didn't
like to have peddlers calling at his
home. The women folks were sure to
buy and that made the expenses of
put sign up near his gate which
read:
"No Peddlers Allowed"
Iievitan came by with heavy pack
on his back. He knew the family well.
Many times he had sold his wares
there He paused and thought over
the Injunction. Then, taking piece
of chalk from his pocket, he wrote in
large letters below the sign wording
two more words:
Except Solomon"
Upon this self-written invitation Mr..
Levitan proceeded to the farm home.
The women folk welcomed him. He
spread his linens. handkerchiefs, and
other wares about and proceeded to
bargii1.
What are you doing in here. Sol"
said the farmer coming to the house.
Can't you read?"
Il inI Cn1
"Well, didn't you see my sign against
peddlers," remarked the Green county
farmer little more insistent.
Il saw Il sign near the gate invit-
ing me in," replied Sol.
When the farmer saw the haidwrit-
ing below his injunction, lie broke in
to IL laugh. 1t read:
No Peddlers Allowed Except Solomon
After that the farmer told Mr.. Levi
tan that whenever he came that wny,
to be sure to call. and stay to, meals
If he liked.
One night Sol with heavy load
strapped around his neck attempted
to make short cut across n field to
n farm house. When he bent forward
10 climb over rail fence the pack
slipped over on one side of the fence
and his neck was pinioned TO the top
rail Slowly he was being strangled.
About that time n neighbor farm boy
came along from seeing his girl. He
cAtricatcd Sol and saved his life.
Sol always saw to it that this boy
had spending money whenever he came
TO town.
A little later, the village of New
Glartis boosted II general store of
which the erskwhile peddler wGs the
founder and incorporation.
This fellow citizen of New Glarus
had family growing up and he want
cd them to have the best education
that money could buy. Madison, the
capital of the state, the home OF the
state university, became his ambition.
Leaving his New G;arus store, pat
ronized by the honest farmer folk, with
Il business partner, Mr.. Levitan came
to Madison in 1905. He again became
interested in a general store there and
finally secured an interest in the Com
mercial National bank. which was just
being organized. He first was elected
director. then vice-president. and final
ly became president of the bank.
MFR. Levitan was delegate to three
Republican state conventions, in 1893,
1900 and in 1902. and served several
terms as member of the Republican
state central committee. He attended
the Republican national convention Il
1912 which nominated William Howard
Taft, and being named ON the Repub
I;,oy, ti,Lat a.. n presifeutiaI p,ectOr-