"History of Southern Oregon, Comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos Counties. Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources." A. G. Walling, Publisher. Portland, OR. 1884. pg. 532. D. A. LEVENS A leading and wealthy citizen of Douglas county and a resident of Canyonville; is one of the men whose success in life and business has been mainly achieved in the country where he now lives by the exercise of economy, industry and business integrity, guided by intelligent financial ability. He is now a capitalist, who twenty years ago was a poor man. What he has came gradually through those years as the result of correct business calculations, and not by chance of the favorable turn of fortune's wheel. Mr. Levens was born in Erie county, New York, October 5, 1828, and is the son of Abiel and Rhoda (La Suer) Levens. When Mr. Levens was six years of age his father died. His mother continued to manage the farm in New York until 1845, when she sold out and with her family (our subject then being seventeen years old) emigrated west, locating on a farm in DuPage county, Illinois, where D. A. remained until March, 1852. With one companion and horse teams he started for California, across the plains. After a few weeks out they joined a large train bound for Oregon, and by them was induced to change his course and come to this state; but on his arrival he concluded to continue on to California. For four years he mined around Yreka with good success. Having concluded to engage in farming and stock raising, and being favorably impressed with the advantages of Douglas county on his trip through on his way to the mines, he now returned to locate within her boarders. He first purchased 320 acres of land where now stands the village of Galesville, and there formed the nucleus for his present large business. In 1868 Mr. Levens began merchandising in Canyonville in which he continued until 1880, when he retired from mercantile business to five his entire attention to the management of his large estate, now consisting of 4,500 acres of land. He is successfully and extensively engaged in the raising of horses and cattle, having large herds of each in Eastern Oregon. In 1882 Mr. Levens built his elegant hotel at Galesville -- a view of which will be found in this history. At this place, in connection with his sons Douglas and Henry, he is engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Levens held the office of county commissioner from 1868 to 1870. He was united in marriage in 1855, to Miss Fannie I. White, a native of Michigan, by which union they have a family of four sons and one daughter. Their names are: William, Douglas, Henry, Jessie and Grant. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.