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M LEVY & CO.
Los Angeles, CA.
1888-1910
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The following is a transcript of a typewritten document (author unknown) kindly provided by Tim Meritte of CA. The newspaper clipping and photograph of the Levy store are also courtesy www.highpricespaid.com, T.Merritte collection.

1834
, Feb 18. Born in Licheim, Alsace-Lorraine.

1850. Joins his brothers, Isaac and Baruch, in Hangtown (Placerville). All are typical '49er's, but, after the Gold Rush, Mike roams the Serra, with his huge dog Blaze as a packhorse, selling supplies to the miners and mountain men.

1860's. Notes from a Winnemucca, Nevada paper:
4/23/1864: " A train of fifteen camels is on the way via Red Bluff, packed with goods for Levy & Co., Star City."
6/23/1866: "Michael can't stand it to have a man call for an article of merchandise which he has not."

Mike also has a store in Virginia City, and one winter the town is starving, so Mike rations out the food. But his good friend, the town rascal, begs Mike for $100 and a burro, -- and promises to bring back food from Reno or Carson. Mike doesn't trust him, but finally gives in.

Next morning, the burro is found, grazing peacefully on the edge of town, while Mikes friend lies in a nearby ditch, the $100 raucously spent in every bar in town.

Not much of a story, but THE MAN IN THE DITCH IS MARK TWAIN! Mark Twain, Bret Harte, assorted miners, gamblers, and Indians, -- they all gather regularly 'round the big stove in Mike Levy's store.

1867, June 1. The Winnemucca paper quotes Mike: " I am going to leave the state for a few months to return with a larger stock of goods than ever crossed the Sierras for any one house in Nevada."

But Mike breaks his word: he just keeps on going, till, in 1868, he lands in a hot, dry, dusty little Western town with only 5000 people. It is called Los Angeles. He goes into the wine & liquor business with Joe Coblentz, forming the form of Levy & Coblentz. Eventually it becomes M. Levy & Co., and there are many locations, all within a few blocks of the Plaza.

On April 12, 1870 Mike marries Rebecca Lewin. They have five children: two girls die in infancy; the others are Hortense (Mrs. Lemuel) Goldwater, Therese, and Isaac (see below).

As in the old days in Virginia City, Mike's store is a favorite hang-out for pioneers. Mike is known as a lovable and compassionate gentleman, famous for his bright and happy personality, his sense of humor, his stories, and his way with children. And he brings countless disputes to a happy ending for his sense of justice and impartiality are often called upon to settle the arguments of friends, neighbors, and strangers.

Michel Levy is for many years the vice-president of the Congregation B'nai B'rith and a founder and vice president of the Ninth and Hope temple. Also a founder of the Fort Street (Broadway) Synagogue. He regularly attends Friday and Saturday services.

Michel Levy dies March 22, 1905, having been loved - any enjoyed - by all.


A hand-written note on the back of the photograph reads: "M. Levy and Co.
312-314 N. Los Angeles St.
1892 (left to right)
Mikes Cousin who runs store,
Mr Loushe, Foreman, Lesser
Hirschfeld, Mike Levy,
Wagon and Ole' Joe."


A newspaper clipping that includes a photograph of a July 4, 1871 parade in Los Angeles, CA.

The company used the brand names:
"Columbia", "Mountain Belles", "Old Kentucky Mountain", and "Old Kentucky Mountain Belle."

Business name timeline:
M Levy & Co. (1888-1902), M Levy & Co. Inc. (1904-1910)

Address timeline:
227-229 N Main (1888), 312-314 N Los Angeles (1891-1894), 319-321 N Main (1895-1904), 114-116 N Los Angeles (1905-1910)

Business category timeline (abbreviations decoded below):
N W


Years that company appeared in directories
Years directories were consulted
Los Angeles directory notes



The images below are thumbnails linked to listing pages containing larger, more detailed images and links to related material.
Click on the thumbnails for more information.



BUY ME!

BUY ME!

Appearance in directories:
1888, 1891, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1899, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910

Directories consulted:
1888, 1891, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1899, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918

Los Angeles directory notes:
W = Liquor wholesalers, V-R = Wine & Liquors, Retail, N = Native Wines & Brandies, G = Wine Growers. A major reorganization of the street system occurred somewhere between 1888 and 1891, resulting in a number change of all street addresses.

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