John Frederick Leonard (1918)

LEONARD, KOON, MOTT

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/4/2008 at 16:29:56

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
September 4, 1918

Death of J. F. LEONARD

The news of the death of J. F. Leonard on Sunday morning, was a great shock to the community, as his illness lasted but a few hours, and at no time appeared dangerous.

Mr. Leonard had a chill Friday night, followed by sore throat. Saturday morning, he called on his physician, who decided he had tonsilitis and gave him medicine. Mr. Leonard came home at the dinner hour, and at Mrs. Leonard's urging, went to bed, where she cared for him, his fever seeming to break. He slept well and at half past seven Sunday morning, Mr. Leonard came down, complaining of a choking sensation. At once the doctor was called, and his throat was swabbed. His choking and struggling for breath grew worse and another physician was called to assist in inserting a tube to help his respiration. During the preparation, he gasped two or three times, falling dead in Mrs. Leonard's arms. Innflammation had evidently become acute, causing his death.

Mr. Leonard was the last of his father's family, one brother, Byram, dying years ago. Judge Leonard, his father came from Knox county, Ohio, to Winterset in 1853. His law attainments were marked, and he became judge here for four years. Associated with him were his son in law, Frederick Mott; later his son, Byram; and still later the younger son, Fred, as he was generally called, continuing the old law practice till his death on Sunday. At that time he was secretary of the Winterset Commercial Club and a long time member of the Masonic fraternity, as well as a charter member of the local Eastern Star chapter. He had a fine legal mind and possessed many warm friends.

He married Miss Nettie Koon, who survives him. Their two sons, Byram and John are with the U.S. army in France, both being members of Company A at different times. Byram did border duty and is now with the ordnance department. John went to France with our company, but is doing hospital work in France now.

Mrs. Leonard's loss is keener because of the absence of her sons and to her goes the strong sympathy of the town and county.

Funeral services were held at the family home Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock conducted by Rev. Jackson Giddens, followed by the Masonic ceremonies at the Winterset cemetery.