John Langdon Leonard (1853 - 1908)

Born 2 May 1853 in Buchanan, Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Dec 1908 at age 55 in Buchanan, Missouri, United States

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Biography

"John L. Leonard, our subject, is one of those progressive farmers who have left the old methods behind and have adopted such improvements in farming and stock-raising as will make Buchanan County the garden of the State, if his example is generally followed. His home farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres, is pleasantly located on the west half of section 24. In addition to that property Mr. Leonard owns fifty-two acres in township 57, range 34, a quarter-section of land in De Kalb County, this State, and one thousand acres in Texas. He is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, being the owner of some well-bred horses. Solomon L. Leonard, the father of our subject, was born in 1811 in Ohio. He was a very fine Greek and Latin scholar and, in his youth, was a school teacher, although in later life he became well known as a lawyer. He was reared to man's estate in the Blue Grass Region. His parents died when he was very young and, early in life, he was thrown upon his own resources. The mother of our subject, who was born August 12, 1818, was prior to her marriage, Miss Leanna Hall. She was born August 12, 1818, and after her marriage to Solomon Leonard came with him in 1839 to Missouri, locating in Platte County. There Mr. Leonard was engaged in the practice of law, in which profession he was more than ordinarily successful. In 1841, he removed with his family to the northeast quarter of section 24, which property is at present in the possession of our subject. Solomon Leonard continued the practice of law in this and adjoining counties until 1843, when he was appointed one of the commissioners to select five thousand acres of land for the State of Missouri. In 1844-45, he was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court to fill a vacancy, and so well did he perform the duties which the office involved that he was his own successor until 1852, at which time he declined re-election. Later he was associated in partnership with Gen. Bela M. Hughes in the practice of law, which connection was dissolved solely on account of the great financial interests to which Mr. Leonard was obliged to give his personal attention. He was one of the foremost men in the State and his death, which occurred October, 1861, near Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory, was greatly felt by all who knew him. His widow, who survives him at the age of seventy-four years, makes her home with her children. Of the parental family of ten children, only four survive, those besides our subject being Mrs. Perrilla Connett, Mrs. Sarah E. Brown and William Henry. Mrs. Leonard was a member in good standing of the Christian Church. In his political relations, the father was a life-long Democrat and, at one time, was that party's candidate for Congress, but was defeated by a small majority in the convention. He, of whom we write, was born May 2, 1853 in the house where he makes his home at the present time. He was given an excellent education, completing his studies in the high school of St. Joseph, and was thus fitted to embark in life on his own responsibility. In 1871 he assumed the management of the home farm for his mother, where he has continued to reside since. August 29, 1876, Mr. Leonard and Miss America J., daughter of James J. and Ruth A. (Monroe) Patterson, were united in marriage. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, while the mother was born April 27, 1825 in Pike County, Ohio. They were married in Piatt County, Ill. in 1851 and, in 1860 removed West to Kansas, locating on a farm in Atchison County. There they continued to reside until 1866, when they came to Buchanan County, and in 1875 became identified with the interest of DeKalb County, where the father died December 4, 1891. The mother, who still survives, makes her home with her children. Mrs. Leonard was born November 13, 1853 in Piatt County, Ill., receiving a good education and being trained in those household duties which are necessary in order to make a home neat and attractive. Her parents were members of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches respectively. Mr. Patterson was a strong Republican in politics and in 1862 was a member of the Kansas Legislature. He later served as Postmaster of Union Star, DeKalb County, Mo., and while residing in Illinois occupied the same position in Monticello, Piatt Co. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard of this sketch have had five children, one having died. They bear the respective names of Solomon L., Euphora May, Perilla L. and Ruth A. Agnes V. died young. Religiously they are members of the Second Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, among whose members they occupy a prominent place, being active in all good works and generous in their contributions. Mr. Leonard is greatly interested in educational affairs and has seen to it that his children received good school advantages. He is a member of the School Board, acting in the capacity of Clerk, and is the working member of that body. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat and has been frequently sent as delegate to the various conventions." ^{[1] [2]}

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record of Buchanan and Clinton Counties Missouri", Chapman Bros., Chicago 1893.
2. ↑ findagrave.com/memorial/54115488/john-langdon-leonard.