Leonard, Joseph A.

LEONARD, ASHTON, STOCK, COOPER, WISER, ROSTERN, BARBEE, STONE, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/14/2009 at 15:25:53

Leonard, Joseph A.

Laborious effort was the lot of Joseph A. Leonard, one of the substantial and well known citizens of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, during his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty won him the respect and confidence of those with whom he was thrown into contact and by patient continuance in well doing he gradually arose from an environment none too auspicious to his present high standing among the influential citizens of this part of the County, being one of the Township's leading general farmers and stock raisers, always giving his personal attention to his various industries with the same energy and discretion, persistency and foresight that have characterized his labors during an honorable career. Having every dollar in his possession as the result of honest effort, and that, too, not infrequently in the face of adverse circumstances, he can claim without ostentation the proud American title of self-made man.

Mr. Leonard was born in Clear Creek Township, this County, November 14, 1861. He grew to manhood here and has always been identified with the agricultural interests of this community. He was educated in the district schools here. He is the son of A. L. and Sarah (Ashton) Leonard, the father born in Delaware County, Ohio, and the mother in Illinois. They came to Jasper County, Iowa, in the year 1858 and here spent the balance of their lives, the father's death occurring at the old homestead in Clear Creek Township, in December 1880, at the age of forty-eight years, the mother having passed away in 1874, when forty-two years old. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Cass Stock is deceased; Joseph H., of this review; C. A. lives at Prole, Iowa; J. H. lives at Boulder, Colorado; A. W., of Driftwood, Oklahoma. These children were born and reared in Clear Creek Township, this County.

In November 1880, Joseph A. Leonard was united in marriage with Gracie E. Cooper, who was born near Grand Detour, Illinois, August 17, 1854. She was the daughter of B. F. and Mary (Wiser) Cooper, the father born in Washington County, Maryland, February 14, 1834, his mother's birth having occurred in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 8, 1831. They came to Jasper County, Iowa, in an early day and are now both residing in Clear Creek Township. There were nine children in the Cooper family, six of whom are living, namely, Mrs. Gracie Leonard, of this sketch; Mrs. Alice Rostern, of South Dakota; Ransom, of Clear Creek Township, this County; Alma, deceased; Mrs. Nettie Barbee lives in Clear Creek Township; Byron is deceased; Charles lives in Collins; Mrs. Edna Stone lives in Story County. The five oldest children were born in Illinois and the younger, ones were born in Jasper County, Iowa.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, namely: Mrs. Carrie Miller, born February 22, 1884, is living on the home farm with her father; Leora, born May 1, 1889; is also at home with her father. The wife and mother passed away in 1909.

Politically, Mr. Leonard is a Republican and he has taken considerably more than a passing interest in local affairs, having ever had the interests of his community at heart. He has served as Township trustee, assessor, and is clerk, and at this writing he is also president of the board of education in district No. 5, Clear Creek Township. He has discharged his duties as a public servant in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and won the commendation of all concerned.

Mr. Leonard is the owner of one of the choice farms of his Township, consisting of two hundred and seventy-two acres on which are two sets of excellent improvements and he is now planning more up-to-date improvements. Personally, Mr. Leonard is an honest, public-spirited, liberal, and pleasant gentleman. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1328