Frank s leavitt

12/2/2017

1st Sgt. Frank S Leavitt [Central News Photo Service, NY]

FRANK SIMMONS LEAVITT, who would become the professional wrestler and movie actor "Man Mountain Dean", was born in Manhattan, New York on 30 June 1891, the son of John M and Henrietta (Decker) Leavitt. In 1911, at age 19, he joined the U.S. Army, and served for three terms, being honorably discharged in 1920. The above photo was taken while he was serving overseas (between 10/20/1918 and 5/5/1919). He was engaged in wrestling while in Europe, and "Soldier Leavitt" became the heavyweight champion of the US Army. Upon returning home and leaving the military, he continued with his wrestling profession, retiring in 1940. He would also take up movie acting in the 1930's, playing himself in many of the films.

Following his retirement, he moved to Norcross, Georgia, where he died on 29 May 1953. He was buried in the Marietta National Cemetery, Georgia.

-- Steve Dow (from personal collection, purchased in 2017)

Additional Links:
Internet Move Database: Film credits for Man Mountain Dean

6 Comments

Cathy Bartoli

6/12/2021 06:09:22 pm

This is my Great Uncle via my grandmother Jennie Leavitt. I believe that Uncle Frank was also married in January 1918 to Amelia Emily Zwickey. I can not find a divorce but I do find her re-married in 1931. My grandmother was a witness to this marriage, but it was never spoken of when I was a child. I also think he may have father a child in 1915 - a girl who was put up for adoption and was never told who her father was. This discovered via dna Ancestry.

Steve

7/18/2021 06:10:06 pm

Hi Cathy, I did notice that Frank was listed as married in 1920 census, living with his mother, but Amelia wasn't with him, so seems they separated soon after their marriage. Hadn't known about a mystery child, however.

TV TS Massachusetts link

1/28/2023 04:21:03 pm

Hi thanks forr posting this

Beth Herbert

9/11/2023 01:53:56 am

I just came across an unusual piece of philatelic ephemera, related to the Dean family. It’s an envelope addressed to Mrs E.H. Dean, Box 82, Norcross, GA, mailed Aug. 27, 1938 from the Philippines from a Mrs J.P. Smith at the Oriente Hotel, Manila. It’s an interesting envelope because it has a decoration related to the Naval
ship USS Chaumomt, with an actual tiny photo of the ship attached to the decorative part of the envelope. Inside is a browned newspaper clipping from Los Angeles July 1, Associated Press short article titled Man Mountain is Proud Father. That his wife just gave birth to an 11 pound son, the day before, on his 47th birthday. And that he was away playing a part in a Joe E. Brown movie. Such a treasure to find! (In a small tub of stamped old envelopes a neighbor just offered for free.) I’m trying to learn who Mrs E. H. Dean would have been. In the meantime, I’ve learned Man Mountain later admitted he’d made the news story up; his wife hadn’t given birth at all. I don’t see any records of children. Just what the first poster above her mentions may have been a child given away from an earlier relationship.

Steve Dow

9/11/2023 08:44:39 pm

Marion Boyce was the wife of Edwin Harlan Dean (ie E. H. Dean) in Norcross, GA, the only "E. H" I see in Norcross, GA. Looking at an online family tree, Edwin was a first cousin to David C. Dean, father of Doris Dean, Frank Leavitt's wife.

9/12/2023 12:39:19 am

Hi Steve, Thanks so much for finding that info. How cool! I’ve just enjoyed discovering something so random! It’s interesting too there is this Leavitt family site. If you have a connection to anyone who’d really treasure the clipping & envelope I’ve found, let me know. I’d happily post a photo somewhere also, if you may have a way to do that here (or elsewhere.) Thanks again!

Frank s leavitt

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