Ada Levick
Ada Levick | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Levick pictured in 1904 | |
| Born | Ada Bartling March 10, 1852 |
| Died | June 22, 1908 (aged 56) Frankfort, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse |
Gustavus Levick
(m. 1884–1895) |
Ada Levick (née Bartling; March 10, 1852 – June 22, 1908) was an American stage actress. Originally from Topeka, she moved to San Francisco where she lived until her death in 1908, aged 56.
Early life
[edit]Ada Levick was born Ada Bartling on March 10, 1852.[1] She grew up in Topeka, Kansas and developed an early passion for the stage through frequent participation in amateur theater. She was educated at the College of the Sisters of Bethany.[2] Her father once served as the Mayor of Topeka.[3]
Career
[edit]Pursuing a career in acting, she adopted the stage name "Ada Wallace".[4] When asked why she chose the profession, she remarked: "I thought that if I were ever going to do anything for myself that I had better begin, and my inclination pointed to the stage, and so here I am".[5] In 1875, she appeared in the play Bread on the Waters with her drama company, where she was credited under her birth name, Ada Bartling. Her performance was met with praise for its poise and professionalism.[6]
On January 2, 1883, the play Moths, adapted from Ouida's novel, was performed at Crawford's Opera House in Topeka, Kansas, by a prominent dramatic company with which Levick was a member of the cast. As a native of Topeka, the performance was presented as a complimentary benefit in her honor and anticipated a high attendance.[7][8] Later that year, in August, she returned to Topeka with her company, at which time the The Topeka Daily Capital described her as "winning for herself a most enviable reputation in the profession".[5] In 1904, she played the part of Queen Elizabeth I in Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall.[3]
Her final stage appearance was the leading part in The Lion and the Mouse.[9]
Personal life
[edit]She married fellow actor Gustavus Levick in a quiet ceremony in September 1884. They had each appeared in various plays together.[10] She brought divorce proceedings against him in 1895, claiming mistreatment, however her husband claimed that she left him to pursue her theatrical career.[11] In 1907, it was reported that she resided in San Francisco with her mother.[12]
She died on June 22, 1908 in Frankfort, Indiana,[9] following several weeks of illness. She had contracted pneumonia, complicated by heart failure. She was survived by her mother, several sisters and son Milnes, the latter of whom was at her bedside at the time of death.[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ada Levick death certificate". Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via Ancestry.com.
- ^ "Death of Ada Levick". Topeka Daily Capital. July 23, 1908. p. 5.
- ^ a b "Ada Lewick, Actress, Daughter of one of early Mayors". Topeka State Journal. February 11, 1904. p. 3.
- ^ "Miss Ada Bartling, formerly of this city". The Lance. December 22, 1883. p. 6.
- ^ a b "The chosen career of a Topeka girl". Topeka Daily Capital. August 28, 1883. p. 4.
- ^ "Topeka Talent". The Weekly Commonwealth. April 22, 1875. p. 4.
- ^ "Ada Bartling, coming". The Topeka Daily Capital. December 20, 1883. p. 4.
- ^ "Invitation and Acceptance". The Daily Commonwealth. December 26, 1883. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Ada B. Levick dies in Indiana". San Francisco Chronicle. June 23, 1908. p. 7.
- ^ "Marriage of Miss Ada Bartling". Topeka Daily Capital. September 20, 1884. p. 4.
- ^ "Ada Levick is Plaintiff in a Suit for a Divorce". Oakland Enquirer. March 6, 1895. p. 1.
- ^ "Miss Ada Bartling of 'Lion and Mouse' company". Topeka Capital-Journal. February 28, 1907. p. 6.
- ^ "Mrs Ada Levick, actress, died in Indiana hospital". The Indianapolis Star. June 23, 1908. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Mrs Ada Levick, well known on Pacific Coast, passes away in Indiana". San Francisco Call and Post. June 23, 1908. p. 5.
