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Levi Jessup
Henry County
Born Surrey County, North Carolina, in 1792. He was married to a Jemima Unthank. Levi and his wife were of English parentage. Their marriage was celebrated according to the wedding rites of the Quakers of which denomination they were both devout members. They began their married life in New York. They moved in 1821 to Indiana locating on government land which he purchased at the first land sale. They lived in that state before Hendricks County was organized. From 1824 to 1831 he was the clerk of the county. He was a popular and influential citizen in pioneer days. He aided in molding public thought and action. He removed in 1831 to Danville where he became State Senator for Indiana, being elected for the district composed of Morgan, Hendricks and Boon Counties. He laid out the town of Plainfield in 1832, and 3 years later moved to Stilesville, where he resided for 15 years. At the end of that time in 1850 he moved to Henry County, Iowa, where he soon became identified with the leading citizens, Nominated by the Whig party he represented his county in the State Legislature in 1852 & 53. By reason of his official positions he was no longer regarded as a member of the Quakers, and joined the Christian church. During the Civil War he embraced the spirit of patriotism, and upon the organization of the Greybeard Regiment of Iowa joined that command, but he was discharged with ill health.
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