Leonard, Thomas

LEONARD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 16:19:44

Thomas Leonard

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.288)
THOMAS LEONARD, a farmer of Hazel Dell Twp, was born and reared in County Roscommon Ireland upon a farm. At the age of 17 or 18 years he came to America, landing in Boston, where he resided 14 or 15 years. In 1867 he came to Jackson Co, Iowa, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Pottawattamie County. While in Boston he was engated in the manufacture of brick, and in Jackson Co, Iowa, he was a farmer; and he also afterward was engaged in farming at Silver City, Mills County, Iowa. On coming to this county, in 1875 he purchased a tract of 240 acres on sect 15, Hazel Dell Twp. It was but partially improved and he has devoted his earnest attention to the improvement of the place until he has made it one of the finest in that part of the county. He has a good frame residence 20 X 30 and 18 X 30, also a fine barn 40 X 64. Every feature of his place evinces good taste as well as a great amount of labor. In his political principles he is a thorough Democrat, casting his first vote for James Buchanan and ever since then taking an active part in the political welfare of the county, state, and nation. He has been Township Trustee and is now chairman of the Democratic Township Committee. He has made all he owns by his industry having had but 50 cents when he first landed on American shores. He was first married to Catherine HOER, who died in 1864 in Massachusetts. Of their six children, two are living: Thomas W. at home, and James, a resident of Neola Township. Mr LEONARD was married, this time, to Mrs Margaret TURNER, the widow of Edward TURNER and daughter of Mr. MAGEE, on February 14, 1867; by her first marriage she was the mother of three children: John, deceased; Patrick, a resident of Harrison Co, Iowa; and Anna, wife of Thomas W. LEONARD and the mother of one child, Mary E. born December 24, 1889. They are members of the Catholic Church.