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EIGHTH GENERATION
Mareau Fisher LeViness\LaViness was born in Sep 1852 in Sullivan Co., NY. He appeared on the census in 1860 in Fallsburg, Sullivan Co., NY. He was living in Jun 1865 in Fallsburg, Sullivan Co., NY. He appeared on the census in 1900 in OH. It appears that Mareau changed the spelling of his last name around 1906 or 1907. He appeared on the census in 1910 in OH. He was living from 1914 to 1916 in Lima, Allen Co., OH. He was living from 1918 to 1920 in Lima, Allen Co., OH. He was living in 1920 in Drumright, Creek Co., OK. He was living with his daughter, Irene (LaViness) Mack. He was living about 1927 in Drumright, Creek Co., OK.
A newspaper article with picture states "M. F. Laviness, 75, of Drumright, can claim without any contradiction to be the father of the oil industry in Oklahoma. He drilled the first two wells in Oklahoma to find oil in marketable quantities. They were drilled in 1896 and 1897 at Muskogee and Bartlesville, respectively. Laviness began his connection with the infant oil industry 63 years ago when he was but 12 years of age. He has been connected with it ever since. He was one of the enthusiastic old-timers of the oil game who took part in the reunion at the International Petroleum Exposition Monday."
Mareau's name was on a plaque that used to be on the derrick of the Nellie Johnstone No.1 at Bartlesville, OK.
He was living in Apr 1928 in Drumright, Creek Co., OK.
He was married to Susan Stroup or Downing about 1877. Mareau Fisher LeViness\LaViness and Sue had the following children:
i. Thomas Floyd "Floyd" LaViness.
ii. Irene E. LaViness.
iii. Grace O. LaViness.
iv. Cora Bell LaViness.
He was married to Sadie E. Unknown about 1887. Sadie E. Unknown was born in Jan 1868 in PA. She appeared on the census in 1900 in Lima, Allen Co., OH.
