IowaJones/Biographies/W. P. Leonard

W. P. Leonard–T. M. Lindsey

W. P. Leonard
Born ct. 2, 1847

W. P. LEONARD, of the firm of Leonard & Hakes, general merchandise, Martelle; born October 2, 1847, in Mercer Co., Ill.; in 1851, came to Linn Co., Iowa, with his parents. In 1873, he commenced selling goods for George W. Wilson, and in 1876 commenced the present firm. He enlisted, in 1864, in the Signal Service, in the School of Instruction, and remained until 1867. Married Ettie Newland in 1871; she was born in New York; have three children—Jessie M., Harry W. and Otto D. Mr. Leonard is Secretary of the School Board, and has been since its organization. He is a Republican; Mrs. Leonard is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 587.

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James Levi
Born July 2, 1823

JAMES LEVI, farmer, Wyoming Twp., Sec. 22; P.O. Wyoming; born July 2, 1823, in Forfarshire, Scotland; in 1848, he came to Canada; in 1852, to Indiana; in 1869, he removed to Jones Co.; he owns 170 acres of land. Married Ellen Hardy in 1844; she was born in Forfarshire, Scotland; have eleven children—Susan, James, Margaret, Jane, George, David, William, Samuel, Frank, Oliver and Charles. James enlisted in 1861; served three months; he re-enlisted in 1864; served to the end of the war. Republican; United Presbyterian Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 603.

Edlef Levsen
Born April 4, 1811

EDLEF LEVSEN, farmer, Madison Twp., Sec. 36; P.O. Wyoming, born April 4, 1811, in Germany; in 1869, came to Clinton Co.; in 1875, came to Jones Co.; owns 240 acres of land. Married Elsabe Jansen in 1854; she was born in Germany; have three children—Martha, Elizabeth and Peter. He has three children by a former marriage-Hans, August and Lena. She has one child by a former marriage-Mary.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 616.

Peter C. Levsen
Born October 23 1858

Peter C. Levsen, the owner of an excellent and highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Madison township, is widely recognized as one of the most extensive and successful cattle feeders in the county. His birth occurred near Hustim, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 23d of October, 1858. His parents being Edlef H. and Elsabe (Jansen) Levsen, who were also natives of that country. In the year 1869 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, where the father became identified with general agricultural pursuits as a renter. Seven years later, in 1876, he came to Jones county, purchasing the farm of two hundred and forty acres in Madison township which is now In the possession of his son, Peter C. Here he made his home until the time of his demise, devoting his energies to the work of farming with excellent success. He passed away in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1902, when eighty-three years of age. They were both devoted and faithful members of the German Lutheran church.

Peter C. Levsen, who was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, supplemented his early education, obtained in the schools of his native land, by a course of study in the public schools of this state. He was twenty years of age when his elder brother, Hans, was married and left the parental roof and thereafter the management of the home farm devolved upon him. Subsequent to his father's death he bought the interest of the other heirs in the property and thus came into possession of one of the most valuable and highly improved farms in the entire county. He has since extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres, and he likewise owns a half section of valuable land in the Saskatchewan district in Canada. For years he has dealt in stock on an extensive scale and is today one of the heaviest cattle feeders in Jones county, feeding from eight to ten carloads annually. He has been very successful in both his farming and live-stock interests and has long been numbered among the most prosperous, enterprising and progressive citizens of the community.

In 1890 Mr. Levsen was united in marriage to Miss Louisa H. Rick, of Sabula, Iowa. They are now the parents of four children, namely: Paul, who is a graduate of the Wyoming high school; Hettie, a high-school student; and Emil and Marvin, who are attending the public schools.

Politically Mr. Levsen is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democracy but at local elections supports the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliation. His business interests have been carefully conducted, his duties of citizenship capably performed, and at all times he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities that has devolved upon him in every relation of life, so that he well merits the esteem and good will which are uniformly accorded him.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 179.

Alexander Lewis
Born 1840

ALEXANDER LEWIS, farmer, Monticello Twp., Sec. 10; P.O. Monticello; was born at Covington, Ky., in 1840; in the spring of 1851, he came to Marion, Linn Co., Iowa; he came to Richland, Jones Go., in June, 1856, and engaged to work for Mr. Alfred Brazelton till he became of age; at the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the 31st I.V.I., and served till the close of the war; he participated in no less than twenty-eight engagements, including the battles of Yazoo, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Ringgold; was in Sherman's march to the sea; was discharged June 27, 1865. He went to Nebraska in 1872, and made him a farm in York Co., which he exchanged for his present farm in the fall of 1874. He married Ella Brazelton, daughter of William Brazelton; have four children—George A., Albert S., Frederick A. and Ernest J.; lost oldest child, William Franklin, in Nebraska.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 673.

D. F. Lewis
Born May 23, 1837

D. F. LEWIS, dealer in live stock, Onslow; born May 23, 1837, in Tioga Co., Penn.; in 1874, he came to Onslow, and engaged in butchering. Married Matilda M. Plant on October 4, 1857; she was born in Canada; have two children—Edward W. and Julia L.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 616.

George Lewis
Born 1840

GEORGE LEWIS, merchant and Postmaster, Hale Village; born in Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., in 1840; went to Kendall Co., Ill., in 1846, and, in 1853, to La Salle, Ill., and remained until he enlisted, in February, 1863, in Cushman's Brigade, and transferred to 15th Ill. V. C., and mustered out in February, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.; returned to Illinois; in 1865, came to Jones Co., Iowa; bought and owns 110 acres. Is Justice of the Peace. In religion, Presbyterian; in politics, Republican. His first wife, Mary A. Farley, was born in Wilna, Jefferson Co., N.Y., October 21, 1841; died September 21, 1868, leaving two children—Ida, and Jennie, who died when small. Mr. Lewis was married to Mrs. Margaret Tabor October 19, 1878; she was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., in 1835. Mr. Tabor was born in Chautauqua Go., N.Y., November 21, 1832; died February 16, 1878.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 640.

A Lindly
Born 1822

A. LINDLY, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 15; P.O. Olin; born in Butler Co. Ohio, in 1822, and from there to Indiana when small, and then to Iowa, in 1849; entered forty acres and now owns eighty; has made all the improvements; had a good house burned in 1871; has been Constable and School Director. In politics, Republican; in religion, liberal. His first wife, Mary Garrison, was born in Indiana in 1823; married in 1S43; died in 1855; had three children—Albert, Jane and Melissa; his second wife, Nancy Bikerstoff, was born in Pennsylvania in 1832; married in 1857, and have eight children living—George, Elizabeth, Jane, Ida, Clarissa, Oliver, Ulysses, Martha, Amsy, Rily, deceased.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 648.

T. M. Lindsey
Born 1850

T. M. LINDSEY, proprietor of hotel and livery, Oxford Junction; born in Ohio, in 1850; came to Iowa in the fall of 1865, and settled in Jones Co., and now is the owner of the hotel and livery stable at Oxford Junction, and a hotel where the traveler can find the best of accommodations. His wife, Mary A. Henry, was born in Pennsylvania in 1854; came to Iowa when quite young, and was employed as a teacher at the age of 16; married December 13, 1877. Is at the present time Trustee and Constable. In politics, Democrat, and in religion, United Presbyterian.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 594.