Levi M Spaulding
Person ID
11066
About
Black Male born in 1872 died in 1930
Levi M. Spaulding (1872-1930) served as the first African American police officer in the City of Ithaca from 1919 – 1930.
Census Records
| Year | Name | Relation to Head | Address | Age | Race | POB | Marriage | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Spaulding, Levi M | Head | 112 Wheat St | 29 | Black | Georgia | Married | Barber |
| 1910 | Spaulding, Levi | Lodger | 427 N Cayuga St | 37 | Black | Georgia | 1st Marriage | Barber |
| 1930 | Spaulding, Levi M | Head | 501 W Green St | 51 | Black | Georgia | Married | Policeman |
Relatives in 1900 US Census
| Name | Relation to Head | Address | Age | Race | POB | Marriage | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaulding, Ora A | Wife | 112 Wheat St | 35 | Black | New York | Married | None |
| Decorsey, George M | Lodger | 112 Wheat St | 25 | Black | Virginia | Single | Waiter |
Relatives in 1910 US Census
| Name | Relation to Head | Address | Age | Race | POB | Marriage | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priest, George E | Head | 427 N Cayuga St | 62 | White | New York | 1st Marriage | Publisher |
| Priest, Amelia E | Wife | 427 N Cayuga St | 62 | White | New York | 1st Marriage | None |
| Ingalls, Edward E | Son-in-Law | 427 N Cayuga St | 44 | White | Massachusetts | 1st Marriage | Manager |
| Ingalls, Louise V | Daughter | 427 N Cayuga St | 43 | White | New York | 1st Marriage | None |
| Spaulding, Ora | Lodger | 427 N Cayuga St | 43 | Black | New York | 1st Marriage | Housekeeper |
| Carter, Carrielee A | Servant | 427 N Cayuga St | 14 | Black | Pennsylvania | Single | Maid |
Relatives in 1930 US Census
| Name | Relation to Head | Address | Age | Race | POB | Marriage | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaulding, Ora | Wife | 501 W Green St | 61 | Black | New York | Married | Hairdresser |
| Deboss, Lee L | Roomer | 501 W Green St | 25 | Black | New York | Single | Cook |
| Page, John | Roomer | 501 W Green St | 41 | Black | Pennsylvania | Single | Barber |
Media (Photos, Videos, Audio Recordings)
Levi M. Spaulding, 1919
Add Source/NarrativeSources & Narratives
Levi M Spaulding and Ora Cook married on June 25, 1893.
Levi M Spaulding in the New York State, Marriage Index, 1881-1967, Ancestry.com
Orson L. Cook sold 501 W Green St to his sister and brother-in-law Ora and Levi Spaulding in 1915.
"Real Estate Transfers," Ithaca Journal, March 11, 1915, 7.
Levi M Spaulding, barber 300 E State, h 501 W Green
[not enumerated on the 1920 US Census]
[not enumerated on the 1920 US Census]
Norton Printing Co, Ithaca, NY
1919
"Ithaca, N.Y.--Levi M. Spaulding, 58 years old, one of the oldest and most popular officers in the Ithaca Police Department, died in police headquarters on Thursday, September 11, as he was unlocking the handcuffs which had been placed on the hands of George 'Curley' Barnes, a Negro wife murderer, who had just been arrested after an all-night vigil on part of the whole police force.
Mr. Spaulding, the only colored officer on the force, was appointed October 12, 1919, and succeeded to No. 1 badge on retirement of patrolman William Curtis several months ago. Prior to that time he operated a barber shop....
Mr. Spaulding was a member of the Spaulding family which originally came from Savannah, Ga., and is survived by Mrs. Spaulding, the widow, of 501 West Green street; a brother, William A. Spailding of New York City, and a sister, Mrs. Haggie Scarlett of Newark, N.J...."
Mr. Spaulding, the only colored officer on the force, was appointed October 12, 1919, and succeeded to No. 1 badge on retirement of patrolman William Curtis several months ago. Prior to that time he operated a barber shop....
Mr. Spaulding was a member of the Spaulding family which originally came from Savannah, Ga., and is survived by Mrs. Spaulding, the widow, of 501 West Green street; a brother, William A. Spailding of New York City, and a sister, Mrs. Haggie Scarlett of Newark, N.J...."
"Taking Handcuff from Prisoner, Ithaca Cop Dies: Levi Spaulding, Oldest and Only Negro Officer, Falls on Duty," New York Age (New York, NY), September 27, 1930, 10.
Levi M. Spaulding, 1872-1930