Levi J. Valentine was born in Washington Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on May 5, 1824, the son of Ohio pioneers Joshua and Margaret/Rebecca Drum Valentine. He married twice, the first time on July 31, 1845, in Pickaway County, to Mary Ann Neff. They were the parents of 13 children: Isaac, Sarah Jane, Elias, David Clinton, George Washington L., Jacob A., Almira E., Sylvanus E., Sylvester J., Emanuel T., Laura Ella, Lovina and Nora Ellen Valentine. Mary Ann passed away about 1867, probably in Brown County, Kansas. Levi married 2nd on May 21, 1868, in Wyandotte County, Kansas, to Emily Jane Walker, daughter of William C. and Sarah Smith Walker. They were the parents of 10 more children: Henry C., Wilson, Rosa B., Perry Monroe, Lennie May, Edgar D., Reuben, Florence Dove and Logan R. Valentine. Like his father had been a pioneer to Ohio from Maryland, Levi was a pioneer of Missouri and Kansas from Ohio. Levi passed away on December 20, 1893, in Gentry County, Missouri, and was buried in the Huggensville Cemetery, Hugginsville, Gentry County.


December 28, 1893 from the Darlington Record:

Spouse: Emily Jane(Walker) Valentine; Preceded in death by 8 Children; Survivors: Children: Perry M., Edgar D., Logan R., Mrs. Laura E. Mick, Mrs. Channie E. Harris, Gentry County, Missouri; Mrs. Linnie M. Macke?, Mrs. Florence McGinley Died: Gentry County, Missouri.


Clay County, Missouri, Cemetery Records, Volume I:

Valentine Graveyard, Located: NW1/4, SW1/4, Section 24, Township 51, Range 32

--Henry Valentine, Death Date: 22 Dec 1882
--Eliss, Birth Date: 28 Mar 1850; Death Date: 14 Mar 1868
--Wilson, Death Date: 07 Jul 1872, Age: 1 year, 1 month
--Rosa B., Death Date: 11 Sep 1872, Age: 5 years, 8 months
--Reuben, Death Date: 27 Oct 1881, Age: 2 months, 28 days

Note: Records taken by D. L. Van Dyke. Mr. Valentine was a federal soldier, came to Clay County after the Civil War. Personal friend of Gen. U. S. Grant. He had two wives and 25 children; six children died of scarlet fever and are buried on this farm. Later family left for parts unknown. --Information given by Robert Withers. December 13, 1945