Joshua Leonard (1830-1901)

LEONARD, HUNT, REYNOLDS, BOX, WERTS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/19/2011 at 09:33:25

Maquoketa Excelsior, Maquoketa, Iowa, December 27, 1901

(This item, handed us by R. F. McMeans, was clipped from the Wright County Monitor, and will be of interest to the survivors of the 2nd Cavalry.)

Joshua Leonard, whose serious illness has been mentioned in these columns, passed away at his home near Belmond Monday afternoon. Mr. Leonard has been troubled with rheumatism for years. For the past six months he has been afflicted with spinal trouble, which with other complications, has kept him confined to his bed most of the time. The funeral will be held at the home this morning at ten o’clock, and will be in charge of the Belmond Grand Army of the Republic post. Revs. Sands and Pettinger will deliver short addresses.

The deceased was 71 years of age at the time of his death. He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, September 8th, 1830. At the age of twenty he removed to Barry County, Michigan, and five years later was united in marriage to Miss Abigail Hunt. Nine children were born to them, of whom seven are now living. They are: Charles and George of Belmond Township; John and Mrs. M. C. Reynolds of Clarion; Mrs. W. E. Werts of Belmond, Mrs. R. D. Box of Salem, S. D.; and Arthur at home.

Mr. Leonard came to Iowa with his family in 1859, locating in Benton County. He lived afterward in Tama County, and in 1881 came to Belmond, where he has since resided. He responded to his country’s call, at the opening of the War of the Rebellion and enlisted at Vinton in Company M of the 2nd Iowa Cavalry. He saw three years of hard service and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee in July, 1865. Mr. Leonard was a genial man to meet. He had a jovial disposition, was a great story teller and entertained his friends for hours with reminiscences of his war experience. He was withal a good neighbor and friend and a kind and sympathetic husband and father. He had the respect for all who knew him and sincere sympathy for the bereaved wife and children in their sorrow.