Edward Levis, who died at Alton, was one of the organizers of the present Illinois Glass Company, and was father of the Levis brothers who are now among the principal stock holders and active managers of this great industry.
The late Mr. Levis was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1820, being a son of SAmuel and Mary (Johnson) Levis, natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The father of Mary (Johnson) Levis served as captain in the Revolutionary War. Sanuel Levis, who died at Bristol, Pennsylvania, in 1830, owned a farm near that place, was a baker by trade and was also engaged in the coasting trade. HIs widow survived him many years, passing away in 1869. There were eight children in the family, and seven attained years of maturity, namely: John, Sarah, Samuel, William, Joseph, Edward, Mahlon and George.
The first of the family to locate in Alton was William Levis, who was followed in 1837 by his younger brothers, Joseph and Edward. Edward Levis was seventeen years old when he came west and in Pennslyvania had attended the common schools and learned the trade of carpenter. During the greater part of his first thirty years' residence in Alton he was a carpenter and builder. During the early days, when Piasa Creek was an open stream down what in now Piasa Street, there was a small island on about the intersection of Third Street, and on this island was Mr. Levis' carpenter shop. For ten years beginning in the '60's, he was in the furniture business on Belle Street, the firm being Chaney & Levis. His residence was on the corner of State and Bluff, where one of his sons now lives.
When Mr. Levis and William Eliot Smith bought the plant of the Illinois Glass Works, the former became superintendent, and continued in active management of the factory until he retired and was succeeded by his son, George M. For the first two years the glass works were located on Belle Street, and was then moved to the present site on Second Street, where the industry was developed to one of the larges of the kind in the United States. Mr Levis was largely responsible for the success of the business which is a monument to the ability and enterprise of two Alton men, Mr Levis and William E. Smith.
Mr. Levis was one of the public spirited citizens of Alton. While his most important work was in helping to create an industry which for many years has been the chief wealth producing Enterprise of Alton, he was always interested and willing to co-operate in other movements for advancement and improvement. A Republican in politics, he served in the city council, was township supervisor and a member of the board of education. He and his family were identified with the Methodist church.
On April 4, 1845, Mr Levis married Miss Mary Morfoot. She was born in England, a daughter of Richard and Isabella Morfoot. The children of Mr and Mrs Levis were: Edward; Sarah, wife of L.F. Cooter; George M; John M; Charles; Robert H; Frank; and Nelson.
All of the sons became identified with the Glass Company, several of them as officers of the company, and as managers of the branches in other cities, and George M., Edward, Robert H., Nelson and Charles are still residents of Alton and actively connected with the business.