MRS. SARAH LEAVENS DEAD
One of Ottawa's Early Settlers - Eighty-one years Old
Mrs. Sarah Leavens, widow of the late Judge Leavens, died at her home on the north side at 7 o'clock on Sunday evening, age 81 years, 3 months and 11 days. Mrs. Leavens had been in failing health for some time, but was not seriously ill until last Wednesday, when she was seriously attacked with her old malady, bronchitis, and grew steadily weaker until death came.She was born in Albany, New York, in 1809, and was there married to Loring Delano, with whom she came to Ottawa in
1832. They brought with them a son, who died here at the age of 7 years. After being in Ottawa a short time they built the Fox River House which they conducted as a first class hotel until some time after Mr. Delano's death in 1852. During these years the house was one of the principal hotels in Illinois, and was the center of the political and social life of the city. At it President Van Buren spent a day or two and it was the home of all visiting lawyers, judges and other prominent men who came to Ottawa on business or pleasure. Here were born three sons, Charles, now a State Senator of Florida, and James and Edward, living somewhere in the west.She was married to Judge Oranz Leavens in 1853, and lived with him until his death, four years ago. One daughter, Carrie Leavens, was born to them. For thirty years Mrs. Leavens had lived a life of retirement, but from '35 to '60 she was one
of the prominent ladies of Ottawa's social circles and many pleasant memories will mingle with the sadness about her tomb.
Contributed by
Bertha Emmett
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