San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



R. E. 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 he has since been thrown upon his own 
resources.
        In 1879, therefore, he left Amador County to ride the 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 do a 
general blacksmithing and horseshoeing business in all branches, make a 
specialty of acetylene welding, and are headquarters for the Oliver line of farm 
implements. Their shop is equipped with modern machinery, and their high 
standard precludes the possibility of any work 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.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p     1617     
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.