Daniel H. Leonard (1864-1959)

FINN, LAMPHER, LEONARD, PETERSON, STOBER

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:02

The Wright County Monitor
Clarion, Iowa
Thursday, November 19, 1959
Page 1, Columns 1 & 2

Dan Leonard, 95, Dies

Dan Leonard, one of Clarion's oldest and well known residents died Wednesday morning at Clarion Memorial hospital. He had observed his 95th birthday on September 2.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, November 20 at the Eyler Funeral Home in Clarion, Iowa.

He came here when he was two with his parents, who homesteaded here—where the local hospital stands—in 1866. There wasn't another house within 10 miles. Leonard watched his father break out the first acres. And when he became a young man, he started his own business—custom work in prairie breaking.

Mr. Leonard has served as a public official in several capacities first as town marshal, then as a deputy sheriff of Wright county for six terms and later, sheriff for six years. He was out two years, then worked as the deputy sheriff of Wright county for six terms and later, sheriff for six years. He was out two years, then worked as the deputy, but was re-elected as sheriff again in 1928 and served for four more years.

He had served as court bailiff almost continuously since about 1932. In 1957 he was compelled to rest because of his health, but returned again in 1958 on his 94th birthday.

He was married to Martha Peterson of Garner. She died about 16 years ago. As his health began to fail because of his age, his foster daughter, Mrs. James Stober, her husband and family moved here to live with him.

He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge about 69 years.

Surviving are his foster daughter, Mrs. James Stober, of Clarion, 1 nephew, Nell [Neill] Finn of Dolliver and 1 niece, Mrs. Richard L. Lampher of Wimbleton, S. Dakota.

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, November 19, 1959
Page 9, Page 5

Dan Leonard Funeral is Friday, 2:30

Dan Leonard, one of Wright County’s oldest and best known residents, died Wednesday morning in the Clarion hospital at the age of 95 years and 2 months.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the Eyler Funeral Home in Clarion.

Mr. Leonard was born Sept. 2, 1864 in Kane County, Illinois. At two years of age he came to Wright county with his parents. They homesteaded at the south edge of Clarion on land about where the Clarion hospital is now located.

He was married in 1896 in Garner and he and his wife lived their entire wedded life in Clarion. His wife preceded him in death in 1945. Since that time he has made his home with his foster daughter, Mrs. James Stover [Stober] in Clarion.

Dan was a long time law enforcement officer in the county. He was first town marshal in Clarion. He later served as Deputy Sheriff of Wright county for 6 terms, 12 years.

He was then elected Sheriff and held that office for 6 years or 3 terms. He was out of office for two years and then again became the Deputy Sheriff. His tenure this time was four years.

He was then elected to be Sheriff and held the office for 4 years. He retired from the office in 1932 and became a district court bailiff which office he held until his final retirement in 1957.

Mr. Leonard was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 69 years.

September 2, 1864 – November 18, 1959