Halstead, Leonard A. 1887-1957

HALSTEAD, COOPER, LARSEN, FISHER, SCHULTZ, LUTES, POLLARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/25/2009 at 11:09:13

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; March 4, 1957

LEONARD A. HALSTEAD

Leonard A. Halstead, was born near What Cheer, Iowa, June 23, 1887, the third child of Alonzo and Ida Cooper Halstead. His early life was spent helping his father in his farming operations, as well as attending country school and Sunday school in and around What Cheer and Coal Creek, Iowa. The eldest of three sons, responsibility fell early on Len's shoulders, as a member of a working family.

In his early teens, he moved, with the family, from the What Cheer area to a farm near Grinnell by the conventional horse and wagon method. Shortly after the move to Grinnell in 1902, he met the girl who was later to become his wife. Anna Larsen and Len Halstead were married Jan. 6, 1909 at her home on a farm near Malcom. On Jan. 6, 1957, this union was celebrated by a 48th anniversary observance, after bringing four sons and three daughters into the world. Their names in the order of appearance are: Bernice of Fairfield; Harriet of Brea, Calif.; Leonard Jr., Kenneth and Keith, all of Grinnell; Edwin of Des Moines; and Helen of St. Joseph, Mo.; all married. Len's death is the first break in this family circle, which also includes twenty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Len passed away after a long illness, Feb. 22, 1957 at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 29 days. He was probably best known as a livestock trucker, a business which he started in 1928 in Grinnell with a Model T truck and was active or interested in it until his death. He was closely associated with the farmers of the Grinnell community as well as many local businessmen during this time. He gained the respect of all by a close adherence to fair business practices. His many farmer friends remember some of those early long trips to Chicago with Len hauling livestock by motor truck.

He has been a member of the Grinnell Elks lodge for twenty-five years. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Surviving besides his immediate family are four sisters, Eva Fisher of Hedrick, Pearl Schultz of Oskaloosa, Mildred Lutes of Laurel and Gladys Pollard of Lincoln, Neb.; two brothers, Raymond Halstead of St. Cloud, Minn., and Glen Halstead of Chicago. One sister, Helen, preceded him in death.

NOTE: The earlier obituary published in the Herald-Register on Feb. 25, 1957 stated he was born in 1886.