Lease, Henry

BAKER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/11/2009 at 15:40:30

Henry Lease, one of Bremer county's earliest settlers and most venerable citizens, came here in 1857 and was for a number of years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sumner township, first encountering all the hardships and privations of pioneer life in a sparsely settled district. He has lived in honorable retirement at Sumner since 1894 and has now attained the age of eighty-six years. His birth occurred in Hampshire county, West Virginia, on the 5th of March, 1827, and the district schools of that state afforded him his educational advantages. It was in Virginia that he wedded Miss Mary Baker, a native of that state, being in such straitened financial circumstances that he was obliged to borrow the money with which to pay the preacher for performing the marriage ceremony. In 1850, he came to Iowa, settling in Washington county, while seven years later he took up his abode in Bremer county, on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of government land in what is now Sumner township. By dint of indefatigable industry and laudable energy he improved the place and there carried on agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1894, when he had accumulated a competence that obviated the necessity of further toil. In the early days he made trips to McGregor by ox team, used a cradle in cutting his grain, before the reaper came into use, and did his raking by hand. It may be said that his mind forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present, for he has been an interested witness of the transformation that has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. Since 1894, when he sold his farm to his sons, he has lived retired and now makes his home among his children. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, eleven of whom still survive. Mrs. Lease was called to her final rest in March, 1907.

Mr. Lease originally gave his political allegiance to the whig party, subsequently became a republican and later a prohibitionist, becoming convinced that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. He has ably served in the capacity of township clerk for eighteen years and has also held other township offices, discharging his public duties in an efficient and creditable manner. When a youth of fourteen he joined the United Brethren church and has since remained a devoted and consistent member thereof. He has a wide acquaintance in Bremer county and his many friends entertain for him warm regard because of his well spent life.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914