Leonard CLARY, who during life was a prominent farmer and representative citizen of Van Buren township, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 14, 1827, and died March 21, 1893. His parents were George and Frances (SEIBOLD) CLARY, the former of whom was born in Maryland and went to Kentucky when he was very young, his parents moving to that state. When he attained maturity he was married to Frances SEIBOLD and they reared five children, two boys and three girls; of these our late subject was the oldest, two of the family being now deceased.

When Leonard CLARY, of this sketch, was four years of age his parents moved to Indiana, where they resided for nine years, moving then to Keoknk county, Iowa, and settling in Van Buren township. In the eastern part of the township Mr. CLARY entered six hundred and forty acres of land, providing a farm for each of his children in this way. Each settled on his own land and undertook the clearing of it. In 1858 Leonard CLARY moved to Missouri and there engaged in farming until 1861, when he came back to Van Buren township and settled on a fanr which he operated here for ten years, moving then to Union county, but in 1877 located on the farm now occupied by his family, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres.

In December, 1849, Leonard CLARY was united in marriage with Emily ASBERRY, who was born March 21, 1833, in Indiana, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary H. (PORTER) ASBERRY, both of whom were natives of the south, the former of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. While still quite a young man, Mr. ASBERRY settled in Kentucky, where he married, and then moved to Indiana, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. In the fall of 1850 he removed to Monroe county, Iowa, and engaged there in farming for about twenty-two years; going then to Ringgold county. Iowa, where he died at the age of ninety-six years. During the Civil war he served during 1863 in what was called the Iowa Gray Beards regiment, coming home then on account of disability. The mother of Mrs. CLARY, Mary H. PORTER, belonged to an old Kentucky family of prominence. These parents had a family of five boys and two girls, of which family Mrs. CLARY was the second child. The names are noted as follows: Samuel, deceased; Emily; Joseph, deceased; Thomas; William; Mary Ann, and Benjamin; all of whom were born in Indiana, and in that state Mrs. CLARY was reared and educated. To her marriage with Mr. CLARY were born eight children, namely: Henry, W. W., Maylon, Thomas, Mary F., Amos, and Ida M., all born in Keokuk county, and one died in infancy.

During life Mr. CLARY was a most respected member of society. He took a great interest in all matters concerning his family and township and never spared time or expense to advance their interests. In politics he was a Democrat and filled the office of assessor with credit to himself and the public. He had many warm friends and was known for his honesty and integrity.

SOURCE:  A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk County Iowa p. 56. Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago. 1903.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009