Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 447
ALEXANDER R. LEITH, M.D., of Wilton, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Iowa. In 1839 his father, John P. Leith, who was a native of Leith, Scotland, and who came to America in an early day, settled in Cedar County. He was there united in marriage with Miss Maria Boydston, who was born in Ohio. He was one of the prominent citizens of that community in the pioneer days, and assisted in erecting what was known as the Whittlesy saw-mill, which he operated for a considerable time. John P. Leith was a plain, upright, honest citizen. He posssessed the characteristics of a genuine Scotchman, was outspoken and decided in his views of right and wrong, and was respected for all of his sterling character and honesty of purpose. He died in 1865, and his wife departed this life two years previously. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom died prior to the death of the parents. The surviving members are: Mary, who wedded Ephraim Bowman, and now resides at Cromwell, Union Co., Iowa; John P., who is living in Chase Co., Kan., where he is engaged in stock-raising; Dr. Alexander R., of this sketch; Maggie, wife of Lyman Walterman, a real-estate dealer of Omaha, Neb.; and George, who is engaged in the drug business at Creston, Iowa.

Dr. Leith was born in Sugar Creek Township, Cedar Co., Iowa, June 28, 1856, and resided upon his father's farm until the age of fifteen years, when he entered the Norton Academy, where he continued about one year. The succeeding year he engaged in teaching, after which he became a student of the Easter Iowa Normal School, completing the commercial course in that institution. For some time he was then engaged in the drug-store of Dr. William Ross, but left that employ in order to study medicine with Dr. G. O. Morgridge, of Muscatine. He attended lectures at the Medical Department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in March, 1882, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Wilton.

In September, 1880 Dr. Leith led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Parks, daughter of George Parks, one of the prominent citizens of Muscatine County. By the union of this worthy couple two children have been born, George Guyford and Walter. Although a young man, the Doctor is already taking a leading position among the medical men of Muscatine County, and is a prominent member of the County Society of Physicians and Surgeons, and now holds the position of Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Iowa State University.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page