John W. Leeper
Born: June 25, 1823 in Guernsey Co., Ohio1
Died: January 30, 1902 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 56
Married: Jeannet McCartney on August 24, 1848 in Gurensey Co., Ohio1
Children: William J., Albert G., Henry McCartney, Joseph W., Emma A. Miller, Mary E., Jennie A., Charles C. and Robert C.
Parents: George Bell and Elizabeth Prestley Leeper1
Veteran: Ohio Militia, held a commission as Lieutenant Colonel from Gov. Todd during the war.1
Obituary of John W. Leeper
The first death from smallpox in this county, during the present prevalence of the disease, was that of Mr. John W. Leeper, which occurred at his home four miles west of Newton, early last Thursday morning. He had been sick a couple of weeks, and seemed to be improving when he was attacked with pneumonia, which was more than he could successfully battle in his enfeebled condition. He was about seventy-eight years of age and had been a resident of this community for many years, a prominent member of the U. P. Church, an honorable, upright Christian gentleman, and a man whom everybody respected. His aged companion and their son and daughter, Charlie and Jennie, have also been victims of the disease, which robbed them of husband and father.
Mr. Leeper was buried in the Metz Cemetery on Thursday evening. To the bereaved widow and children the fullest measure of sympathy is given. ~ The Newton Record, Thursday, February 6, 1902, Page 5, Column 6
__________
John Leeper died January 29, 1902, at his home, four miles west of Newton, at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 8 days. His death was the result of small pox, which is thought to have gone to his lungs. He was born in Guernsey Co. Ohio, June 21, 1823, and was married to Miss Janet McCartney, Aug. 24, 1848, who still survives him. To this union were born ten children, viz: W. J. and A. G. of Sherman Township; H. M., in Colo; J. W. of Omaha; Emma A., now Mrs. W. J. Miller; Ella J., deceased; Mary E., now Mrs. Hugh Stokes of Bonanza, Colo.; Jennie A. and Charles C. at home with the mother, and Robert deceased.
Mr. Leeper was a member and ruling elder of the United Presbyterian Church of Newton from its organization in October 1870, to his death. From its beginning it was the object of his love and endeavor, for which he made great sacrifice of time and means. When days looked dark for the church of his choice, his faith held strong, and he did not cease to pray and hope that the Lord would send workers to carry on the work he loved.
In the winter and spring of '94 the days were dark indeed, when the total membership of the church was only 18, and the Sabbath school only 12, and he must drive from his home to build the fires. All were ready to give up, but he could not. The Presbytery and the church at large had given up but he did not. Then in the providence of God new life came into the church, and four years later, as he stood in the beautiful new church, which had taken the place of the old, and looked about him and saw the many happy faces, and heard the old songs of Zion swell forth in joyful praise and thanksgiving, and beheld the beautiful and comfortable surroundings, it seemed all a strange unreal dream, and the tears of joy that coursed down his cheeks was the only language he could speak. He lived to realize his trust had not been in vain, and as a member of the session he was permitted to receive into membership of the congregation nearly 800 percent of increase of which nearly seven-eights were by profession of their faith in Christ.
It is a source of great sorrow to his pastor and brethren of the church, and to many of his old friends and neighbors, that none of them were permitted to be with him at the last, or to follow his body to the tomb and that no word of Christian solace could be spoken at his grave. ~ The Newton Record, Thursday, February 27, 1902, Page 5, Column 6
__________
Biography of John Leeper
Leeper, John, farmer, S. 35; P.O. Newton; born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, June 25, 1823; lived there until 1866 when he came to this county; he received a thorough common school education , and for several winters followed teaching; otherwise, he has always been engaged on a farm. Married Jeannet McCartney Aug. 24, 1848; their family consists of nine children -- William J., Albert G. , Henry McCartney, Joseph W., Emma A., Mary E., Jennie A., Charles C. and Robert C.
Mr. L. and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Ruling Elder; always taken an active interest in politics, having held various township offices since coming to the county, principally that of Trustee.
In Ohio, he was a member of the militia, in which he held a commission as Lieutenant Colonel from Gov. Todd during the war, he was Coroner and Enrolling Officer. Owns a farm of 380 acres of land, valued at $13,000; he is at present largely engaged in stock raising, having about 150 head of hogs, 100 cattle, and ten to fifteen head of horses; is making a specialty of pure breeds, handling the Berkshire hogs, Durham cattle, and Cotswold sheep. ~ History of Jasper Co., Iowa, 1878.
_________
Remembrance: John Leeper
Mr. John Leeper, who died last week, was born in Ohio in 1823. He came to Jasper county in 1866, and has resided here ever since, engaging in teaching school and farming. He leaves a wife and nine children. Uncle John was one of the best men we ever knew. He was as honest and reliable as men ever get. No man deserved better of the world than he.
Jeannet (McCartney) Leeper
Born: September 1, 1829 Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio
Died: June 8, 1904 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 56
Married: John Leeper August 24, 1848 in Gurensey Co., Ohio1
Children: William J., Albert G., Henry McCartney, Joseph W., Emma A. Miller, Mary E., Jennie A., Charles C. and Robert C.
Parents: Harry and Margaret (Bell) McCartney1
Mrs. John Leeper
Mrs. Jennet Leeper, wife of John Leeper, born Sept. 1, 1829, departed from this life at her home four miles west of town, June 8, 1904, at the age of seventy-four, nine months and seven days.
Miss Jennet McCartney was born near Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio, and until her marriage with John Leeper, Aug. 18, 1848, her life was spent at the same place.
In the fall of the year 1866 they moved to Iowa, and in the spring of 1867 moved to their home four miles west of Newton, where she spent the remainder of her life.
To them ten children were born, eight of whom survive her. The husband was called home a little over two years before herself, after they had spent over half a century together.
Mrs. Leeper united with the United Presbyterian church when she was quite young and has always when able been a faithful attendant in her work.
Eight children mourn her departure as a faithful and devoted mother but there is no hopeless sorrow for they know that she has gone to receive her reward.
Rev. E. F. Gillis had charge of the services which took place at the Sugar Grove church. She was buried at Metz. ~ The Newton Journal, June 15, 1904.
1. World Connect Linda Houser at linhouse@nque.com
2. Jasper Co., Iowa Death Record, Book 3, 1941-1954
Jennie A. Leeper
Born: September 17, 1865 in Guernsey Co., Ohio2
Died: January 17, 1944 at Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa2
Buried: Lot 56
Parents: John and Jeannet (McCartney) Leeper
Miss Leeper Succumbs
Heart Ailment Fatal To Newton Woman;
Rites Here Monday Afternoon
Jennie A. Leeper, 78 year old native of Guernsey county, Ohio, succumbed of a heart ailment shortly before midnight Friday at her home just west of Newton on Highway No. 6.
Miss Leeper had been rapidly failing in health for the last several weeks and was confined to her bed for several days. Death came at 11:20 p.m.
The eighth of a family of ten children, she was born Sept. 14, 1865, daughter of the late John and Janet (McCartney) Leeper. She had been a resident of Iowa since the family moved here when she was a year old.
Making the trip west by train and the roadbed of the Rock Island at that time extended only to Kellogg, the family located there. In the spring of 1867, they moved to a farm west of Newton in the Sugar Grove neighborhood, where she continued to live for a while after the death of her parents. Later, she resided near Murphy and spent a few years in Clinton county before returning in 1930 to near Newton where she and an unmarried brother, C. C. Leeper, the last surviving member of the family, made their home together.
Leeper's addition in west Newton lying on the north side of Highway No. 6 just west of the underpass was named after the late W. J. Leeper, former owner of the land and a brother of Miss Leeper.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday at the Morgan Funeral home with Dr. John W. Bickett officiating. Interment will be in Sugar Grove cemetery.
Miss Leeper was a member of the Newton United Presbyterian church. ~ The Newton Daily News, January, 15, 1944
