Frank Simmons Leavitt (June 30, 1891 â May 29, 1953) was an American professional wrestler of the early 1900s, known by the ring name Man Mountain Dean.
Leavitt was born in New York City, the son of John McKenney Leavitt and Henrietta N. Leavitt. From childhood, Leavitt was above average in size and strength. This led to a lifelong interest in competitive sport, and also enabled him to lie about his age in order to join the Army at the age of fourteen.
While enlisted he saw duty on the MexicoâUnited States border with John J. Pershing, and was later sent to France where he participated in combat during World War I. Also, during this period (1914) he began his wrestling career using the ring name of “Soldier Leavitt”.
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