Born in 1771 in Dutchess County, NY, Levi Soper moved to Vermont where he married in 1793 to Lois Flint of Tolland, Connecticut. The couple followed Lois’ brother, Billa to Upper Canada settling in Kitley Township where the Sopers established an inn.

In 1805 the family moved to Lansdowne Township again opening an inn. In 1811 Soper built a large brick house with five fireplaces on the main road leading to Beverley (Delta) from which he carried on a mercantile trade and engaged in land speculation. Because of its convenient location the house was used for meetings of the officers of the 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia.

Following the outbreak of hostilities in 1812 Levi Soper was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Rifle Company, 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia commanded by Colonel Joel Stone and served for the duration of the conflict.

A supporter of the Reform movement Soper circulated petitions throughout the district in 1832 urging government reform. During the election of 1834 he threatened to call out the militia to maintain order at the hustings in Beverley where Tory thugs were intimidating voters. In reaction to Soper’s threat the local justice of the peace closed the polling place; the Tory mob then turned on Soper and beat him severely.

Undaunted Soper continued to espouse Reform principles, a position that later resulted in him being passed over for promotion in the militia.

Levi Soper and his wife Lois had six children, five of whom survived to adulthood; following Lois’ death, Levi married Elizabeth Sexton, the relict of Nathan Hicock.

Levi Soper died August 24, 1859 at the age of 87 years.