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Leroy J. Baskerville,
a general farmer and dairyman living in Elk township, where he
now has ninety six acres of rich and productive land, was born in
Oneida township, this county, on the 28th of March, 1863, his
parents being William and Elizabeth (Walters) Baskerville, both
of whom were natives of England. They came to America in 1858
and, making their way into the interior of the country, settled
upon a farm in Oneida township, Delaware county, where their
remaining days were passed, the father becoming closely connected
with general agricultural pursuits. In their family were three
sons, of whom Leroy J. is the eldest, the others being Lorenzo H.
and Walter W. The father died on the 25th of June, 1901, and two
years later the mother passed away, on the 26th of May, 1903.
The youthful days of Leroy J. Baskerville were spent
upon the old home farm, his time being divided between the duties
of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work
of the fields. On attaining his majority he started out in life
independently and secured a clerkship in a store, in which he was
employed for seven months. He afterward worked in a creamery for
about four years, during which period he carefully saved his
earnings until his economical expenditure, together with the wise
management of his affairs, brought him capital sufficient to
enable him to purchase eighty acres in Oneida township. He lived
upon that property for five years, at the end of which time he
sold out and purchased the farm upon which he now resides,
comprising ninety six acres in Elk township, known as the old
Trowbridge farm. Here he has engaged in the dairy business in
connection with the tilling of the soil, keeping high grade cows
for that purpose, and his dairy products find a ready sale upon
the market. For seven years after starting farming he taught
school winters and worked his farm during the summer months.
On the 29th of August, 1889, Mr. Baskerville was united
in marriage to Miss Mary L. Cruise, a school teacher and a native
of this county and a daughter of Charles H. and Carrie (Merry)
Cruise. Nine children have been born of this union: Florence L.,
who is a graduate of the State Teachers College and taught for
two years before her marriage to Henry Carrothers; Charles W.,
who is now in college; Merry C., who is engaged in teaching;
George L., now attending high school; and Ora E., Hattie E.,
Edith L., Arza J. and one who died in infancy.
The parents are members of the Congregational church
and are interested in all that tends to uplift humanity and
advance the best interests of the district in which they live.
They have many warm friends and their own home is the abode of a
gracious and pleasing hospitality. |
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