Ledlie, Thomas

LEDLIE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:21:29

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.978

THOMAS LEDLIE
It may be truly said of Thomas Ledlie that he is more of an Iowan at heart than are those who were born here, for he chose this among all others as the state of his adoption while those who were born here had no choice in the mat­ter, but can only ascribe it to their good fortune. Thomas Ledlie was born in County Armagh, Ireland, on September 28, 1844, and there he resided until he was twenty-five years of age, at which age he adventurously set forth to seek his fortune in the new world, and a home for a loyal heart which he left behind. He secured passage on a combination steamship and sailing vessel from Queens­town, the journey thence to New York City occupying eighteen days. On landing in New York he came direct to Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked by the month for three years, with the exception of six months spent in Canada, which experience only served to convince him that Iowa was the place above all others in which to make his home. On September 10, 1868, was consum­mated the marriage of Mr. Ledlie and Miss Mary F. Lindsey, also born in County Armagh, Ireland, and who left her native home to join Mr. Ledlie in New York, where he had gone to meet her. There they were married and she came to her new home in Des Moines a bride.
With a mind keenly alert to the opportunities that presented themselves for acquiring a competence, Mr. Ledlie made his initial step in the purchase of an eighty acre tract of land, which is a part of his present holdings. On this he built a house, put up the necessary fencing, and made a home. He later bought sixty-one acres more, and continued to add to his property in small tracts from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres of valuable land on section 17, Allen Township. Here he has resided since 1873. He has greatly enhanced the value of his place through a system of underground drainage, in the construction of which he used three carloads of tile. Another valuable feature of the place is its excellent water system, for on it he has six wells and two springs running into tanks, from which the water is piped to the stock troughs, and he has also set up wind pumps. He has built a good barn and outbuildings, having everything most conveniently arranged for the handling of live stock, which he raises quite extensively. He has registered shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, his sales of the former running one to two car­loads a year. He also owns a good grade of Norman horses.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ledlie have been born eight children, five of whom are living, as follows: Agnes D., is the wife of Alvin Mitchell, a farmer of Dallas County, this state. They have one child, Elizabeth. James D., a farmer of Polk County, married Miss Lydia Sheriff. They have three children, Frances, Edna and Alexander. Flora B., is the wife of John C. Sawhill, a farmer of Madison County. They have one child, Harold. Thomas L. and Frances G., who is a graduate of the Indianola high school, are at home with their parents. They have been called upon to mourn the loss of three of their children. Robert L. died at the ageof one year; William died at the ageof seven, and Ethel at the age of ten months.
In national politics Mr. Ledlie is a Republican. Locally he supports the principles represented by the various candidates regardless of the party nomi­nating them. He has served as township trustee for twelve years, a position which he holds at present. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm champion, and he has been treasurer of his school district for the past twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Ledlie were reared in the United Presbyterian faith, her father, Robert Lindsey, having been a preacher in this faith for fifty years in one community. They are members of the Summerset United Presbyterian church on Scotch Ridge, of which Mr. Ledlie is an officer. It will be seen from the foregoing that Mr. and Mrs. Ledlie have been continuous residence of Scotch Ridge for nearly forty years, and, working hand in hand, have accumulated a large estate. They practically began life empty-handed, and by their thrift, industry and well directed efforts have placed themselves in a position of independence, and have given all of their children a good education. They are well known among the old settlers and have hosts of friends all over the county.