Leonard, Wm. H. 1853 - 1914

LEONARD, HETZMANN, WHITLEY, ELVIDGE, MEDER, ALBRETCHT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/3/2020 at 12:20:56

Elkader Register & Argus, 17 Dec. 1914.

Tuesday morning, at four o'clock, the silent messenger summoned another of our well known citizens, Wm. H. Leonard, "to that bourne from which no traveler returns."

He had been gradually failing in health for the past ten years, but was only confined to the house for about ten days previous to his death.

Deceased was born July 10th, 1853, in New York state and came to this county with his parents in 1875. At that time his father, the late John Leonard, purchased the large farm near Elkader, known as the "Hop Farm," and this became the family home.

On December 4th, 1877, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Josie Hetzmann, who survives him. For years they made their home on a portion of the home farm now occupied by their son Frank; and on the death of Mr. Leonard's father they purchased the old home, living there until early this year, when they moved to the residence they had purchased in the lower part of town.

Mr. Leonard was active in local affairs for many years, serving as township trustee for a number of terms, as a director of the Elkader Fair and an officer of our Farmers Institute. He was highly respected and will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.

In addition to his wife he is survived by six sons, Frank, Henry and John, living on farms near here: W. F. at Manchester; Ed. and Thomas, still at home; and three daughters, Mrs. Fred Whitley, of Elkader; Mrs. Elmer Elvidge, of Dubuque; and Clara, still at home. Four brothers, Richard, Joe and Fred, living in or near Elkader, and Charles, of Fargo, N.D., with two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Meder, of Tuttle, Okla., and Mrs. A. B. Albrecht, of Mederville, also mourn his death.

The funeral services were held at the home at two o'clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev. Franke, and he was laid in the East Side cemetery.