LEONARD, Nellie Bennett 1867 – 1932

LEONARD, BENNETT, LESOURD, STEPHENSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/11/2013 at 07:27:23

Mrs. Nell Leonard Dies in Cedar Falls

Word was received here Friday of the death of Mrs. Nell Leonard of Cedar Falls. Mrs. Leonard, a former resident of Brooklyn, had many friends in this community who were saddened by the news. Her death was not entirely unexpected as she had been in failing health, but because of her vivacious and charming personality, she had a wide circle of friends who mourn her passing.

Mrs. Leonard was born and grew to womanhood here. She was one of the most lovable and popular girls Brooklyn has known and after her marriage to O. H. Leonard, then of the Poweshiek County Savings Bank, she and her husband belonged to the young married crowd of the gay nineties in Brooklyn and she was outstanding for her originality and enthusiasm. She was very kindly, always doing the kindest things for those less fortunate than she.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard. Virginia died while attending college some years ago. A son and daughter survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard left here in 1898 but visited here many times after that and always found a host of persons to greet them. Mr. Leonard renewed his affiliation with the Poweshiek County bank while he lived in Tulsa by buying controlling interest. This was during the time Will Pierson was president. Afterwards Mr. Leonard sold his interests here.

Those who attended the funeral held in Cedar Falls from here Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. U. M. Reed, Mrs. M. J. Calderwood, Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Karr, Mrs. F. L. Neff, Mrs. Clarke Light, Mrs. A. E. Anger, Mrs. Simpson Murrison, Mrs. Clyde Hall and Mr. and Mrs. Clarke Dunlap.

Following is an article from the Cedar Falls daily concerning Mrs. Leonard:

Funeral services for Mrs. O. H. Leonard, who died at her home, 111 West Sixth St., Thursday afternoon, will be held in the Methodist Episcopal church Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. The Rev. W. G. Rowley, pastor of the church and the Rev. W. G. Crowder, retired, who was a close friend of Mrs. Leonard, will have charge of the service.

The pall bearers, chosen from among the close friends of the Leonard family, include Harry W. Johnson, Clarence H. Wise, H. N. Silliman, Roger Leavitt, W. L. March and C. A. Bemeer.

The body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 to 2:15 o’clock before the services tomorrow afternoon. Interment will be in the family lot in Fairview cemetery, where her husband, Oliver H. Leonard, and daughter, Virginia are buried.

Nellie Bennett Leonard was born in Brooklyn, Ia., Dec. 25, 1867, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bennett. She was married to Oliver H. Leonard on Sept. 22, 1885, and lived in Brooklyn, Ia., Pipestone, Minn., Cedar Falls, and Tulsa, Okla., in which various cities Mr. Leonard was prominent in banking circles. After Mr. Leonard’s death in 1921 at Tulsa, where he was executive vice-president of the Exchange National Bank, Mrs. Leonard returned with her son, Howard, to Cedar Falls, where she has resided since that time.

Mrs. Leonard was converted and joined the Methodist church with her husband in 1887, under the preaching of Edwin H. Hughes, now Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church, resident in Washington. The friendship thus happily begun has been maintained through the years. From then on she devoted herself to Christian work, and her activity and interest has been a pillar of strength to the churches where she worshipped.

Mrs. Leonard’s death brings a distinct sense of loss to a host of friends throughout the country with whom she kept in constant touch by visits and correspondence. Her warm interest in people, her open-hearted, generous, and kindly spirit, were a constant inspiration and benediction to all with whom she came in contact. Her broad culture, wide travels, and interesting life enabled her to contribute something to the lives of others that made her companionship sought and her counsel prized. Her radiant personality will be long remembered and her memory constantly cherished.

Mrs. Leonard is survived by a daughter, Lucille Leonard LeSourd, wife of Dr. Howard M. LeSourd of Boston university, and their two children, Leonard and Patricia; by a son Howard B. Leonard of Lyons, Colo.; and a sister, Mrs. T. C. Stephenson of Cedar Falls.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother, Edith (Kann) Newton.