Leonard, Harrod

HARROD, RAYNOR, THOMPSON, SPENCER, POLINS, WEST

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/24/2019 at 07:34:20

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 673-74:

"HARROD LEONARD, farmer and stock-raiser, Long Creek Township, resides on section 23, where he owns 120 acres of land. He also owns forty acres on section 27, same township. He was born in Morrison County, Indiana, June 29, 1827, son of Henry and Martha (Raynor) Leonard, natives of North Carolina. He assisted his father on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, and in 1848 accompanied him to Iowa. He settled in Fairfield, Jefferson County, where he remained three years, then removed to Wapello County, and thence, in 1866, to Decatur County. In 1851 he was married, in Wapello County, to Mahala Thompson, born in Illinois, in 1833. They have seven children -- Elmira, a widow; Catherine, wife of A. G. Spencer; James, living in Nebraska; Mary A., wife of David Polins; Eliza, wife of Jefferson West, of Nebraska; William, living also in Nebraska, and Freddie, at home. Mr. Leonard commenced with very little means, and when he was married he was $75 in debt. He rented land at first, and by hard work and good management, assisted by his excellent wife, he saved enough in four years to purchase a home. He has assisted in giving all of his married children a good start in life. His land is in a good state of cultivation, and he has a pleasant home. He is honest, upright, energetic and hospitable, and is very popular with his neighbors. He has been a member of the School Board fifteen years. He is a member of the Christian church, and politically is an ardent Republication. Postoffice, Grand River."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com )