John S. Leggett ~ 1839-1915

LEGGETT, DULY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/11/2002 at 07:56:50

John S. Leggett was born near Attica, Indiana, Jan. 1st, 1839 and died at his home in Vernon, Iowa, at 6:15 o’clock a.m., May 16th, 1915, aged 77 years, 4 months and 15 days. He was the oldest of a family of four children of whom there were three boys and one girl.

When he was five years of age his parents both died and left him and his two brothers and one sister orphans without any home. John was taken in charge by a man and his wife and moved to New Albany and was separated from the other children of the family. At the end of two years both of his patrons died and again the small boy was left homeless. He was at that time about seven years old. Again a man and his wife took the poor little boy in charge to care for him. The family moved to Corydon, Ind., and took John with them and his home was at that town as long as he resided in Indiana. But after five years and when he was twelve years old the poor boy was again deprived of his guardians by the death of both the man and his wife.

At the tender age of twelve the unfortunate boy was thrown out in the world to fight the battle of life alone. From that time until he was seventeen he worked at whatever he could find to do and for whoever would employ him and give him shelter. When he arrived at the age of seventeen years he was so fortunate as to come under the care and influence of a widow lady by the name of Mrs. Duly, who owned a farm near Corydon. With this good lady he made his home until he was wedded to one of her daughters.

When the Civil war overshadowed our land John was a young man in his twenties and felt it his duty to enlist in the army to serve the Union. He became a soldier in Company D 38th Indiana Infantry, which regiment became a part of the army of the Cumberland, then commanded by Gen. Rosecrans. His enlistment was dated Aug. 24th, 1861. With his company and regiment he took part in the campaign against Braggs Confederate Army in the winter of 1862 and 1863, which culminated in the terrible battle of Stone River. John was so fortunate as to come out of that terrible conflict without any wounds. But because of the hardships endured and the inclement weather encountered during the campaign his health failed him and he was discharged from the service, Feb. 3rd, 1863. He was returned to his old home at Corydon to improve his health.
As soon as he had regained his health he enlisted in Company G. 13th Ind. Cavalry, with which regiment he faithfully served until the war was ended. He was discharged from the service with his regiment on Nov. 18th, 1865 at Vicksburg, Miss.

He again returned to the old home at Corydon, Ind., and lived with Mrs. Duly and on May 10th, 1868 he was married to Miss Rebecca Duly, a daughter of his friend and patron. The young couple resided in Indiana until the year 1876 when they moved west to Iowa, and located at or near Mt. Sterling in this county. The family resided at or near this place until the year 1895 at which time they moved to Vernon, which has been their home ever since.

Mr. and Mrs. Leggett were the parents of eight children, five of whom were boys and three of them were girls. Two of these children, one a girl and one a boy, died in infancy and one boy, James, died in childhood. The five other children, Claud, Earl, Ambrose, Neffie and Katie all reached adult age. Miss Neffie died sometime after the family had located at Vernon and Miss Katie who was afflicted with a spinal deformity caused by a fall was taken from them by death a few years since. Claud, Earl and Ambrose of the eight children born to this worthy couple are all that are living. Claud is the only one of the children that is married. He was wedded some nineteen years ago to Miss Josie Burns. The three children of this couple are the only grandchildren belonging to the family and were dearly loved and cherished by their grandfather, Mr. Leggett.

While the family resided at Mt. Sterling both Mr. and Mrs. Leggett united with the M.E. Church, and have ever since been earnest and sincere Christians and zealous workers in the church. Many years ago Mr. Leggett united with the I.O.O.F. fraternity and has been a member in good standing for many years past of Des Moines Lodge No. I.O.O.F. of Bentonsport. He was a Past-Grand of that lodge at the time of his demise. Mr. Leggett was an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic having joined Shriver’s Post No. 177 of Vernon by transfer card in 1887. He was Post Commander at the time of his death.

Because of his early orphanage Mr. Leggett received a limited education, which handicapped him very much all the way through his life. Notwithstanding this drawback he was always willing to fill any position in church or lodge or post that his fellow members called him to the very best ability. He was always earnest, enthusiastic and zealous in his work whether in church, lodge or post and always did his very best.

Mr. Leggett lived a well rounded life being in his seventy-eighth year when the summons came to him and it may well be said of him his life was not lived in vain. In his death the M.W. Church at Vernon has met with a severe loss as he was always an earnest and enthusiastic worker in its cause. His honest, zealous and noble Christian endeavor, his daily walk and conversation and willingness in the cause of Christianity, brought him the love and esteem of his fellow church members and the good will of the whole community at large. He was a loving husband and father, a good and kind neighbor, a charitable and sympathizing friend, a good and loyal citizen and an earnest Christian man. His death will be a great loss to his church, to his lodge, to the little town that was his home and to the community at large.

Funeral services were held at the Vernon Church Tuesday afternoon with Rev. J.H. Taylor officiating. The attendance was unusually large.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings