A. N. Levin

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including photograph; biography of Abraham Natelson Levin, Terre Haute community leader. ABASH VALLEY WP R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.A.N. Levinn astute businessman, Abraham Natelson Levin was an unselfish Terre Haute community leader for nearly half a century. The son of Isaac Peter and Kate (Natelson) Levin, A.N. was born in Terre Haute on Nov. 28, 1892. His father was one of four principals in Levin Brothers, the substantial wholesale notions and dry goods house founded in 1886. The first generation of Levin brothers included Meyer, Morris, Isaac Peter and Max. Three of the brothers had sons named Abraham so each was popularly referred to by his initials. In its early years Levin Brothers was located at 1129 Wabash Ave. In 1896 the company erected the building at 1125 Wabash Ave., which is currently being renovated. For several years the firm also manufactured clothing, specializing in boys knee pants. As business expanded, Levin Brothers moved to quarters in the Koopman Block at the southwest corner of Sixth and Cherry streets. In 1911 it relocated permanently to the custom-built five-story warehouse above the bank at 525-527 Ohio St. A member of the Wiley High School Class of 1909, A.N. attended Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire before matriculating to Harvard University, where he earned a bachelors degree (1914) and a masters degree. He enrolled in Harvard Law School but World War I interrupted his studies. Upon being honorably discharged as captain in the U.S. Army, Levin returned to his native city to associate with the family business. Levin wed a Terre Haute girl, Jennie Brown, an accomplished musician. The couple had son Kenneth, a prominent Terre Haute attorney until his recent retirement, and daughter Gail (Peterzell), who resided much of her adult life in New York. Gail died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs disease) on June 24, 1995. A.N. became general manager and then president of Levin Brothers, which catered to retailers by catalog nationwide. He took an immediate active role in civic affairs as a member of the Federated Charities Board, predecessor to the Community Chest and United Fund. When the Selective Service System was established, A.N. was named chairman of Vigo County Board #83, a job he held until his death. He was a member of the Vigo County Public Welfare Board, the Vigo County chapter of the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, Terre Haute Literary Club, Terre Haute Zoning Board and the Rose Polytechnic Institute Board of Associates. He was president of the United Hebrew Congregation, Family Service Association and Rotary Club of Terre Haute. First elected to the Union Hospital board in 1939, Levin served until his death and was board president for several years during substantial hospital expansion. In recognition of his extraordinary community service, Levin was presented a Doctor of Humane Letters by Rose Poly on June 5, 1965. Levin was still very active when stricken with a fatal heart attack at his residence at 2260 Ohio Blvd. on June 15, 1967. He was 74 years old. Jennie B. Levin died May 5, 1977, at age 82.A 238-6000 MEMBER FDICAlways Close to HomeHO HO HO! Join ourMember FDICChr ist mas Club for Holiday DoughOpen your account today at any First banking center -- and have more dough for holiday spending next year!File name: A.N. Levin profileDate Published: Nov. 10, 2005
Origin:	2005-11-10
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/657
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Levin, Abraham Natelson, 1892-1967 Business people Mail-order businesses Civic leaders Business & Industry People

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