General Levi Richmond
General Levi Richmond was born on the twenty-ninth day of January, 1805, in Ross Township in this county, and was a the time of his death, in the forty-fifth year of his age. He was married on the fourth day of December, 1823, by the Rev. John A. Baughman, to Martha Powers Akers, a most estimable lady, and had by her six children.
The greatest portion of his life was spent in the immediate vicinity of the spot where the light first fell upon him. From April, 1835, until in October, 1841, he resided in the town of Millville, when he removed to Rossville, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death.
He received from his parents what, in the days of his youth, was considered a liberal education. Although but limited in comparison with the instruction now to be obtained, it was yet sufficient for one of such close observation and thirst for information to enable him by a very extensive general reading to qualify him for all the useful and practical pursuits of life.
Coming upon the theater of action when recollection of the glorious achievements of our heroic army of the war of 1812 was fresh in the memories of all true-hearted Americans, and accustomed to hear the war-worn veterans recount their deeds of personal valor, his spirit became fired with enthusiasm, and he longed for the opportunity of offering his services to his country. Devoting a great amount of time to the study of military affairs, and being attached to the eighth company of the second regiment in the third brigade of the first division of the Ohio militia, he was, on the fifteenth day of June, 1830, commissioned a lieutenant in his company. On the tenth day of January, 1832, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Shortly afterwards he was raised to the rank of major of the regiment, and afterwards he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and then colonel of the second regiment, and finally was elected and commissioned a brigadier-general of the first division.
A long period of peace having blessed our flag no opportunity was afforded him to display what all military men acquainted with him agreed that he possessed in a most eminent degree—military skill.
When the war with Mexico broke out, being pretty well advanced in years, and having a large family to claim his support and protection, he was induced to abandon his wish to accompany our army in that country, but his voice was heard urging the young men to rally around the flag.
The great aim of his life appeared to be to render himself a useful member of society. Ardent and liberal in all his sentiments, he was a firm and unwavering friend of the people's rights. Having attached himself to the Democratic party early in life, he never lost sight of the party's interest; and the ardor and enthusiasm which characterized him in political affairs rendered him one of the strongest pillars which supported that political creed.
For seven successive years he served as township clerk of his native township, and was twice elected justice of the peace of St. Clair Township. In the year 1843 he was appointed postmaster of Rossville, which office he held until a Whig administration came into power, when he was removed on political considerations.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.