Monroe Levison was born August 27, 1902 in New York, New York. He was the son of Max and Martha Levison, both immigrants from Germany. He had a brother, William born in 1893, and a sister, Margareth born in 1895. The family was living in Manhatten from 1905 at least through 1920. The 1930 and 1940 census records them living in the Bronx.
Monroe gave his occupation as a machinist, and a deckhand on a ferry. In 1921 he was enlisted in the New York National Guard, Battery C 212th Artillery.
On May 17, 1932, Monroe Levison married Stella Nielson in Bronx, NY. The marriage was very brief, with Stella divorcing him just five months later on October 17, 1932.
Monroe Levison died September 9, 1981 at St. Lukes- Roosevelt Hospital Center, and is buried on Hart Island.
Sources: Social Security Death Index; New York City Births 1891-1902; New York, NY Marriage Index 1866-1937; Bronx County, NY, Divorce and Civil Case Records, 1914-1995; New York, NY National Guard Service Cards, 1917-1954; 1920, 1930 and 1940 U.S. Federal Censuses; and 1905 and 1925 New York State Censuses.