Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

HOMAS LEONARD, a farmer of Hazel Dell Township, was born and reared in County Roscommon, Ireland, upon a farm. At the age of seventeen or eighteen years he came to America, landing in Boston, where he resided fourteen or fifteen years. In 1867 he came to Jackson County, Iowa, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Pottawattamie County. While in Boston he was engaged in the manufacture of brick, and in Jackson County, Iowa, he was a farmer; and he also afterward was engaged in farming at Silver City, Mills County, Iowa. On coming to this county in 1875 he purchased a tract of 240 acres on section 15, Hazel Dell Township. It was but partially improved, and he has devoted his earnest attention to the improvement of the place until he has made it one of the finest in that part of the county. He has a good frame residence 20 x 30 and 18 x 30, also a fine barn 40 x 64, etc. Every feature of his place evinces good taste as well as a great amount of labor. In his political principles he is a thorough Democrat, casting his first vote for James Buchanan, and ever since then taking an active part in the political welfare of the county, State and nation. He has been Township Trustee, and is now chairman of the Democratic Township Committee. He has made all he owns by his industry, having had but fifty cents when he was first landed on American shores.

He was first married to Catherine Hoer, who died in 1864, in Massachusetts. Of their six children two are living: Thomas W., at home, and James, a resident of Neola Township. Mr. Leonard was married, this time, to Mrs. Margaret Turner, the widow of Edward Turner and daughter of Mr. Magee, February 14, 1867; by her first marriage she was the mother of three children: John, deceased; Patrick, a resident of Harrison County, Iowa, and Anna, the wife of Thomas M. Leonard, and the mother of one child, Mary E., born December 24, 1889. They are members of the Catholic Church.

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This page last updated: Friday, 01-Jan-1999 09:06:04 MST.