WILLIAM E. LEEHART

William E. Leehart is one of the substantial and representative business men of Lucas, where he is engaged in the drug business, and he is also well known as a representative of one of the pioneer families here. He was born in Jackson township, February 8, 1869, a son of Frederick and Cynthia (Canterbury) Leehart, the former born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1842, and the latter in Des Moines county, Iowa. The parents came to Lucas county in pioneer times and here the father turned his attention to farming, winning prosperity and success in this occupation. He owns five hundred acres of land in Jackson township, completely equipped and well improved, and is numbered among the most substantial and representative agriculturists of the community. He and his wife had two sons: Karl R., who was born in Jackson township, June 26, 1867, and who is now residing on a farm; and William E., of this review.

William E. Leehart grew to manhood in this section of the state and acquired his education in the common schools of Jackson township. He was reared to the occupation of farming and followed this pursuit after beginning his independent career until 1897, when he removed to Lucas and established himself in the drug business with his brother Karl, who is still associated with him. The latter, however, does not live in the city, but makes his home on a farm in Otter Creek township, where he is engaged in stock breeding on an extensive scale, having a choice herd of the best grade of Hereford cattle. William E. Leehart gives his attention to the development of the drug concern and has made it a prosperous and profitable enterprise, his upright business methods, straightforward dealings and the fine quality of his goods being recognized in a large and increasing patronage.

On September 1, 1909, Mr. Leehart married Miss Minnie A. Hughes, who was born in Kansas, April 27, 1882. She is a daughter of W. J. and Elizabeth (Skidmore) Hughes, the former of whom was born in Morgan county, Indiana, September 3, 1852, while the latter was born in Brown county, Indiana, August 16, 1850. They are now residing on a farm in Jackson township, where they have made their home for a number of years. In their family were eight children: Cozzie, who died in infancy; Bert, who was born September 4, 1875, and is now residing in Colorado; Claude, whose home is in Texas; Eugene S., deceased; Minnie A., the wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. May Esther James, who was born January 5, 1884, and who is now residing in Oakley; and Hubert, who was born December 10, 1885, and Willa, born November 20, 1888, both of whom reside on the home farm in Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Leehart are the parents of a son, Waldron Ransom, who was born in Lucas, October 19, 1911.

Mr. Leehart gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he and his brother belong to Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M. They own a residence in Lucas and their valuable drug business in the city. The family are well known throughout this section of the state, where they have resided for many years and where the name of Leehart stands for all that is upright in business, progressive in citizenship and worthy in private relations.

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