# Ada Levick > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ada_Levick > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ada_Levick.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Levick > Source revision: 1343699455 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Ada Levick** (; March 10, 1852 – June 22, 1908) was an American stage actress. Originally from [Topeka](/source/Topeka), she moved to [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) where she lived until her death in 1908, aged 56. ## Early life Ada Levick was born Ada Ella Bartling on March 10, 1852.[1] She grew up in [Topeka, Kansas](/source/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](/source/College_of_the_Sisters_of_Bethany).[2] Her father, Major Henry Bartling, served as the [Mayor of Topeka](/source/Mayor_of_Topeka) in 1873.[3][4] ## Career Pursuing a career in acting, she adopted the [stage name](/source/Stage_name) "Ada Wallace".[5] 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"*.[6] 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.[7] On January 2, 1883, the play Moths, adapted from [Ouida](/source/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.[8][9] Later that year, in August, she returned to Topeka with her company, at which time *[The Topeka Daily Capital](/source/The_Topeka_Daily_Capital)* described her as "winning for herself a most enviable reputation in the profession".[6] In 1904, she played the part of [Queen Elizabeth I](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_I) in *Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall*.[4] Her final stage appearance was the leading part in *The Lion and the Mouse*.[10] ## Personal life She married fellow actor Gustavus Levick, adopted son of [Milnes Levick](/source/Milnes_Levick), in a quiet ceremony in Jersey City on September 8th 1884. On August 16th 1887 she gave birth to a son who was named Milnes Bartling Levick, after his grandfather. Gus & Ada appeared in various plays together.[11] She brought divorce proceedings against him in 1895, claiming mistreatment, however her husband claimed that she left him to pursue her theatrical career.[12] In 1907, it was reported that she resided in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) with her mother.[13] She died on June 22, 1908 in [Frankfort, Indiana](/source/Frankfort,_Indiana),[10] following several weeks of illness. She had contracted [pneumonia](/source/Pneumonia), complicated by [heart failure](/source/Heart_failure). She was survived by her mother, several sisters and son Milnes (named after his grandfather), the latter of whom was at her bedside at the time of death.[14][15] ## References 1. ["Ada Levick death certificate"](https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60716/images/45232_356119-01890?pId=1967479). Retrieved June 8, 2025. – via Ancestry.com. 1. ["Death of Ada Levick"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-topeka-daily-capital/173597058/). *Topeka Daily Capital*. July 23, 1908. p. 5. 1. The San Francisco Call Bulletin June 23rd 1908 Page 5 1. ["Ada Lewick, Actress, Daughter of one of early Mayors"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-topeka-state-journal-1892-1905/173630538/). *Topeka State Journal*. February 11, 1904. p. 3. 1. ["Miss Ada Bartling, formerly of this city"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lance/174249520/). *The Lance*. December 22, 1883. p. 6. 1. ["The chosen career of a Topeka girl"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-topeka-daily-capital/174443173/). *Topeka Daily Capital*. August 28, 1883. p. 4. 1. ["Topeka Talent"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-commonwealth/174320266/). *The Weekly Commonwealth*. April 22, 1875. p. 4. 1. ["Ada Bartling, coming"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-topeka-daily-capital/173600363/). *The Topeka Daily Capital*. December 20, 1883. p. 4. 1. ["Invitation and Acceptance"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-commonwealth/173627991/). *The Daily Commonwealth*. December 26, 1883. p. 1. 1. ["Mrs. Ada B. Levick dies in Indiana"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle/173561051/). *San Francisco Chronicle*. June 23, 1908. p. 7. 1. ["Marriage of Miss Ada Bartling"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/82759314/). *Topeka Daily Capital*. September 20, 1884. p. 4. 1. ["Ada Levick is Plaintiff in a Suit for a Divorce"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-enquirer/173539899/). *Oakland Enquirer*. March 6, 1895. p. 1. 1. ["Miss Ada Bartling of 'Lion and Mouse' company"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-topeka-capital-journal/38107586/). *Topeka Capital-Journal*. February 28, 1907. p. 6. 1. ["Mrs Ada Levick, actress, died in Indiana hospital"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-obituary-for-ada-b/173105269/). *The Indianapolis Star*. June 23, 1908. p. 5. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250525164517/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-obituary-for-ada-b/173105269/) May 25, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025. 1. ["Mrs Ada Levick, well known on Pacific Coast, passes away in Indiana"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-call-and-post/47047995/). *San Francisco Call and Post*. June 23, 1908. p. 5. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ada Levick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Levick) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Levick?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.