For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 385
A. R. LEITH, M. D....A. R. Leith, M. D., is the oldest practicing physician of Wilton, Muscatine county, Iowa, having entered upon the active duties of his profession here in 1882. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, June 28, 1856, his parents being John P. and Maria ( Boydston ) Leith. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Leith came to the United States in 1839 and located on a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, where he erected a log cabin, which was the home of himself and family for several years. Lumber being in demand among the settlers, he built a sawmill on his farm, which he operated, and later erected a gristmill, his time being largely taken up with the management of those two enterprises. He departed this life in 1868, his wife having been called away five years previously. Ten children were born to them, five of whom are now living ; Mary, the wife of E. Bowman, of Creston, Iowa ; John P., of Chase county, Kansas ; A. R. ,our subject ; Maggie, now Mrs. Lyman Watterman, of Omaha, Nebraska ; and George E., of California.Dr. Leith early became inured to labor and at twelve years of age began to work as a farm hand. In the meantime he had attended the district school and having profited by the instruction there offered, entered the Wilton Academy at fifteen years of age and was a student of that institution for two years. Upon leaving the academy he secured a certificate as a school teacher and devoted five years to teaching. He began the study of medicine under Dr. G. O. Morgage, of Muscatine, and later matriculated in the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He immediately began practice in Wilton, where he has since continued, being associated at the present time with his son under the title of Leith & Leith. His patrons are to be found among the best families of the locality and no man in Muscatine county stands higher in the estimation of those who know him than Dr. Leith. In addition to being highly successful as a physician and surgeon he has also gained an enviable reputation in business circles and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land adjacent to the village of Wilton, eighty acres in Cedar county, Iowa and also one-fourth interest in a plantation of seven thousand acres in Arkansas, of which twenty-eight hundred acres are planted in cotton and four hundred in corn. Several hundred negroes are regularly employed in carrying forward the work upon this place.
In September 1880. Dr. Leith was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Parks, who was born in Muscatine county in 1858, a daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Finney ) Parks. The parents of Mrs. Leith were both natives on Ohio and became residents of Muscatine county. The father died in this county and the mother is now living in Muscatine. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Leith, the youngest of whom died in infancy, while the second child, Walter, Passed away at the age of six years. George G., the eldest, received a good education and was graduated as a physician. He is now practicing in partnership with his father.
Dr. Leith gives his ellegiance to the republican party and has served in several responsible positions, having filled the office of mayor of Wilton Junction for several terms and also for eighteen years represented the educational interests as member of the school board. During the greater part of this time he was president of the board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and has received the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine. His wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Having discharged his various duties for many years with strictest fidelity, Dr. Leith clearly represents a type of men who are leaders in any worthy movement and upholders of the best interests of society.
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