Frank and Jessie Levering Cary:
Frank Masten Cary was born in Detroit , Michigan in 1858 and moved to Lafayette , Indiana in his early twenties. He became a successful businessman and was well known for his magnetic personality and charm of manner.
Jessie Levering was born into a prominent Lafayette family in 1865, and married Frank Cary in 1892. The Cary's were known for their philanthropy, the benefits of which continue today in Cary Home for Children, the Cary Quadrangle at Purdue University, and Cary Camp for Boy Scouts. Franklin Levering Cary Hall in the Cary Quadrangle was built in memory of Frank and Jessie's son who died unexpectedly at the age of 19 years. Late in life, Frank made provision for the establishment of a camp for Boy Scouts, the Cary Camp, as part of his continuing dedication to children in the community.
Jessie Levering Cary died in 1927. In 1930, Tippecanoe County wanted to build a new and better facility for its orphan population. In memory of his wife, and to honor her service to children, Frank Cary donated $45,000 of the $110,00 needed to construct the Jessie Levering Cary Home for Children.
In December 2005, the Lafayette Journal and Courier ran two stories by columnist Bob Kriebel focusing on Frank Cary and the Cary Home.