Levi Marlowe was born a slave in Ky but escaped from his master in Canton Illinois in 1860. During the Civil War Levi enlisted with the 29th USCT and was wounded at the Battle of the Crater. He was a janitor at Monmouth College Illinois.

A 1911 sketch of his life reports he died from the effects of his war wound (Date not given). Photogragh of Marlowe is given however. See online article "The Monmouth Collge Oracle Vol XV No 34 May 30, 1911 pp.54-55"