Encyclopedia Dubuque
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LEVI, Alexander
LEVI, Alexander. (France, Mar. 13, 1809--Dubuque, IA, Mar. 31, 1893). In 1837 Levi became the first immigrant to be naturalized in the State of Iowa while it was still part of Wisconsin Territory. He was also the first initiatory member of the Masonic Order in Dubuque.
Levi moved to Dubuque on August 1, 1833, and began a variety of business ventures including the sale of groceries, dry goods, and clothing. He owned extensive MINING property and real estate along South Locust Street. He was also president of the DUBUQUE GOLD MINING COMPANY which was incorporated in 1860. Levi was elected justice of the peace and held the position from 1846 to 1848.
In 1856, faithful to his JEWISH COMMUNITY, Levi organized B'nai Jeshrun, the Jewish congregation that met in a rented hall at Locust and 5th STREETS. Of the twenty acres he owned in Section 13 of Julien Township, Levi deeded .6 acre for Jewish burials. This land was later deeded to the City of Dubuque that conveyed the property to the LINWOOD CEMETERY Association. His home became St. Margaret's Hall of ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY.
Alexander Levi returned to France where he married Miss Minette Levi. One of their daughters married James Levi, a nephew. James Levi had worked for his uncle as a salesman for three years. When Alexander died, James and Alexander's son Eugene took over the family business in Dubuque.
See: A. LEVI
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Source:
History of Dubuque County Iowa. Chicago: Western History Company, 1880
"Naturalization of Dubuque Jew 100 Years Ago Hailed," Telegraph Herald Sept. 5, 1927
175 Years, Volume 3, Levi A Man of Entrepreneurial Vision," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2008