Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 671.
 
LEVI HEXTER

     To keep a business record unspotted through twenty-three years is a record
of which any man might be proud. Such a record stands to the credit of Levi
Hexter, and in his death Portland lost a merchant of considerable local
prominence who left behind him not only the fruits of a well spent life, but
also an untarnished name. He rose from a humble to a prominent position in
commercial circles here, and at all times his record conformed to the strictest
commercial ethics.
     A native of Germany, Mr. Hexter was born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, on the
1st of April, 1836, and spent the years of his youth and early manhood in the
country of his birth. His education was there acquired, and in 1860 he severed
his connections with his native land and sailed for the new world. His first
business location was at Lewiston, Idaho, where he remained for several years,
after which he came to Portland. Two years later he embarked with Levi May in
the conduct of a wholesale business in stoves and tinware and from that time
forward, the relation between them continued without change in the firm name of
Hexter, May & Company. Their business developed with the growth of the city, and
their house met the needs of the trade throughout a considerable territory. The
methods instituted at the beginning have constituted the policy of the house to
the present time and are such as will ever bear the closest investigation and
scrutiny. The firm ever regarded satisfied customers as their best
advertisement, and it was seldom they ever lost the trade of a merchant whose
patronage they once gained.
     Mr. Hexter's business success would alone entitle him to representation in
this volume as one of the leading merchants of the city, but there were other
elements in his life which endeared him closely to his friends. He was most
devoted to his family, numbering wife and five children. He married Miss Laura
May, and their two sons and three daughters were: Edith, Coria, Hilda, Alfred
and Edgar C.
    To his immediate family the death of Levi Hexter came with greatest force,
and yet his loss was also keenly felt by his many friends and also in charitable
circles. The poor and needy often profited by his helpfulness, and he was
particularly generous to Hebrew charities which could ever count upon his
support. He was a member of the B'nai B'rith, and was one of the earliest
members of the congregation of Beth Israel. He gave freely to its work, and was
in entire sympathy with its movements for the instruction of the young in the
faith of their fathers. He has been characterized as "a good man, true to his
God, a model husband and an affectionate father." It is well known that he
counted no personal sacrifice or effort on his part too great if it would
promote the happiness or enhance the welfare of his wife and children, and those
whom he met socially could always rely upon the fidelity of his friendship.
Judged by the consensus of public opinion and by the stricter standards of the
church, he measured up to the full stature of upright, noble manhood.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.