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Joseph LEONARD
Joseph is in extensive research, and I have put up all the data I have on him at this time. Hopefully I will have more to share soon. If I do, I will seperate the data and make another page. Another researcher has come onboard and hopefully, together, we can lay this man to rest with the family he belongs to.
[From Bob Jackson’s PAF Files, 27 Dec 2002]
We are still trying to prove this Joseph Leonard is positively ours, and the son of Henry & Patsey Raines Leonard.
First Generation
1. Joseph LEONARD-8466 was born on 21 Jul 1818 in Fayette County, North Carolina. He died on 8 Jul 1907 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He was buried on 9 Jul 1907 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
OBITUARY: THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, Thursday, July 19, 1907, Volume XXXI, Number 35, Page 4,
Column 1, “OBITUARY--Leonard [Transcribed 2 Jan 2002 from Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library’s IHS Microfilm Records.]
Joseph LEONARD was born in Fayette County, North Carolina, July 21, 1818; died near Owensburg, Indiana, July 8, 1907, aged eighty-
eight years, eleven months and seventeen days. He was one of the pioneers of Greene County, having come to this county in the year 1839.
He entered the old homestead in the year 1840 and lived their continually from that time until his death.
When he emigrated to Indiana he walked all the way carrying his belongings tied up in a handkerchief, following a wagon across the mountains. He left the wagon and his friend at what is now Indianapolis, walking from there to Springville in a single day, arriving at his destination by moonlight.
He was married to Sophronia LYONS August 27, 1840. Death robbed him of his companion March 30, 1888. To this union were born seven children—three of whom preceded their parents to the better land. He and his wife united with the Baptist Church at Springville and were baptized by Elder Thomas N. ROBINSON. Shortly after they transferred their membership to Owensburg, ever afterward, living consistent and faithful Christian lives.
He always attributed his long life and robust health to the regularity of his habits. He was prompt and honest in all his dealings with
his friends and neighbors. In politics he was always a Republican, voting at every presidential election since 1840. he was a great admirer of Lincoln, Grant, McKinley and Roosevelt, taking a deep interest in the life and deeds of each of these great men.
Being a great reader he was better posted on the affairs of our country than most men. He was a close follower of our present president, keeping in close touch with all the important acts and events of his remarkable administration.
He leaves many friends and no enemies. — We wish to thank our many
neighbors and friends for their acts of kindness and help during the last sickness and death of our dear father. T. J. LEONARD AND WIFE,
DR. R. J. LEONARD AND WIFE, MRS. KATE SEXSON. — NOTES—RLJ: CEMETERIES OF EASTERN GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA, 1994, G.C.H.S., Jackson Township, Section 11-6-3, Dishman Cemetery, Page 14, listed in 1939 WPA records, but no marker found in 1994: LEONARD, Joseph, 1907, 88 yr. —
Joseph married1 (MRIN:2990) Sophronia LYONS-8469 on 27 Aug 1840 in Lawrence County, Indiana. Sophronia was born in 1818 in North Carolina. She died on 30 Mar 1888 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She was buried in Mar 1888.
They had the following children:
+ 2 M i. Leander P. LEONARD-8470 was born on 6 Sep 1835. He died on 23 May 1916.
3 F ii. Nancy A. LEONARD-8455 was born in 1844 in Greene County, Indiana. She died on 11 Aug 1868 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She was buried in Aug 1868 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
Nancy married2 (MRIN:2985) Lemuel Boone SEXSON-8449 "Uncle Boone" son of Hon. Joel B. SEXSON Sr.-8456 and Abigail V.-8457 (MRIN:2986) on 9 Jun 1867 in Greene County, Indiana. Lemuel was born on 16 Oct 1824 in Whitley County, Kentucky. He died on 14 Jun 1914 in Switz City, Greene County, Indiana. He was buried on 16 Jun 1914 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
BIOGRAPHY: "HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884, JACKSON TWP. PAGE 373:
LEMUEL B. SEXSON was born in Kentucky in the year 1824, and is a son of Joel and Abigail (Davis) Sexson, who removed to Monroe County, Ind., in 1828, and located near the Greene County line. In 1830, the family settled in Center Township, of the last-named county, where they continued to reside many years. Joel Sexson took a very active part in the progress and development of Greene County, and his name and familiar chirography are found on various valuable public documents at
the court house in Bloomfield.
Lemuel B. Sexson is one of the county's best farmers. His early manhood was passed on the farm of his parents and teaming to Louisville, but since attaining his majority he has been engaged in farming, dealing in stock, and operating what is known as the Sexson Flouring Mills on Indian Creek. He has been three times married, and is the father of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living.
In 1849, he was married to his first wife, Miss Mary M.
Alexander, who died in 1866. In 1867, his marriage with Miss Nan Leonard was solemnized, but this lady died in 1868, bearing one son, who died shortly after his mother's death. His marriage in 1869 with Miss Kate Leonard has been fruitful in the birth of three children, one being dead.
In politics, Mr. Sexson is independent, voting for the best man, and not the party. For a number of years, he served as Trustee of Jackson Township. At present, he owns 740 acres of good land in the
county, besides having given 120 acres to those of his children who are doing for themselves.
OBITUARY: THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, Thursday, June 25, 1914, Volume XXXVII, Number 32, Page 4, Columns 2 & 3, “DEATH”S HARVEST. Sexson.” [Transcribed from Bloomfield-Eastern
Greene County Public Library’s IHS Microfilm Records.]
Lemuel Boone Sexson was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, October 16, 1824. He was the son of Joel B. and Abigail
SEXSON, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and came to Indiana on pack horses in 1827 and settled in Monroe County in the woods in a log house where they lived until 1831, when the family moved to Center Township, this county.
Lemuel Boone was one of a large family of fifteen children. When he was only seven years of age his father moved to this
county and had made his home here ever since.
He attended school in some of the old log schoolhouses with greased paper for windowpanes, which were so common in
Indiana when he was a boy.
After receiving a meager education he “teamed or wagoned” from Point Commerce to Bloomfield and from Newberry to
Louisville, KY, from the time he was fourteen years of age. In making such trips he often camped out and had hundreds of
dollars in his possession sent by merchants to purchase goods. He carried the mail on horseback from the aforesaid towns to
Terre Haute for five years beginning in 1837, during which time he had many thrilling experiences owing to high waters
and no bridges, and the country was at times invested with robbers.
He did some farming, and in later years, ran an old-fashioned burr-flouring mill on Indian Creek.
He bought his first farm in Jackson Township, Greene County in 1848 and cleared the land. He lived there forty-seven
years. He then bought land in Washington and Fairplay Townships and moved to Switz City and retired.
For a few years past Uncle Boone (as he was familiarly called by his friends and neighbors) had been in poor health, and
died Jun 14, 1914, aged eighty-nine years, six months and twenty-eight days.
All his brothers and sisters are dead except Eliza BRANDON, of Center Township, and Swift SEXSON, of Indianapolis.
He was married to Mary M. ALEXANDER at the age of twenty-four years, and who died July 25, 1866. She left a family of
two boys and three girls–William J., of Owensburg; John S., of Switz City; Mary L. STRAUSER, of Elnora; Emma F.
PATE, Switz City, and Snow WILSON, of Owensburg.
His second wife was Nancy LEONARD, who departed this life in 1868.
On February 16, 1869, he was united in marriage for the third time to Kate LEONARD, who survives him. To this union
were born two daughters–Mrs. Ethel RUSH and Mrs. Ida FIELDS. Ethel RUSH died August 8, 1892. Mrs. Ida FIELDS
resides near Lyons. Two children died in infancy.
Uncle Boone gave each of his children a farm, and was a man of generous disposition.
He united with the M. E. church at Hobbieville, and after removing to Switz City he transferred his membership there.
He was a man of jovial nature–always had a good and cheerful word for everyone he met, and in his death at a ripe old age
the family has lost a true and loving husband and father and the community in which he lived a good and conscientious
citizen.
His funeral was held at the Switz City M. E. church at 10 o’clock June 16, 1914, and the large congregation present
attested the esteem in which he was held by those who have known him since he had made that place his home. In the
afternoon of the same day his body was transported over the Monon Railroad to Owensburg, where it was met by many of
his old friends and neighbors and taken to the Dishman Cemetery, three miles north of Owensburg, near his old home, and
after a short service at the cemetery, his remains were buried in the lot he purchased years ago and in which he desired his
remains to rest.
–
We take this method of returning thanks and our grateful appreciation to all our friends and neighbors for their kindness
during the sickness of my husband and our father, and after his death, and to all our old friends and neighbors at
Owensburg, and in the vicinity of the Dishman Cemetery.
MRS. KATE SEXSON AND ALL THE CHILDREN.
+ 4 F iii. Mary Catherine LEONARD-8458 was born on 28 Dec 1848. She died on 31 Oct 1925.
5 F iv. Mary C. LEONARD-8472 was born in 1849 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1850.
+ 6 M v. Dr. R. J. LEONARD MD-8467 was born in 1851. He died on 19 Dec 1915.
7 M vi. Thomas J. LEONARD-8468 was born in 1854 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1915.
Second Generation
2. Leander P. LEONARD-8470 (Joseph) was born on 6 Sep 1835 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died on 23 May 1916 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He was buried in May 1916 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
Leander married3 (1-MRIN:2991) Martha Abigail LAMB-8473 "Abbie" daughter of Joseph LAMB-8641 and Lousianna O'DELL-8642 (MRIN:3052) on 28 Mar 1858 in Greene County, Indiana. Martha was born on 28 May 1844 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died on 4 Jan 1869 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She was buried in Jan 1869 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
They had the following children:
8 M i. Edward LEONARD-8660 was born in 1860 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1880.
9 M ii. Leander LEONARD Jr.-8661 was born in 1862 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1880.
10 F iii. Bell LEONARD-8662 was born in 1867 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1880.
+ 11 F iv. Anna V. LEONARD-6312 was born in 1869. She died after 1886.
Leander married (2-MRIN:3056) Sarah-8664 "Sallie" after 1869. Sarah was born in 1842 in Indiana. She died on 24 May 1904 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She was buried4 in May 1904 in Dishman Cemetery, Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana.
They had the following children:
12 M v. Boone LEONARD-8665 was born in 1871 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1880.
13 F vi. Idus LEONARD-8666 was born in 1873 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1880.
Idus married (MRIN:3059) Hugh R. GEORGE-8204 son of Josiah F. GEORGE-8199 and Amanda SLEET-8189 (MRIN:2904) on 25 Mar 1890 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. Hugh was born in 1871 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1880.
14 F vii. Lois LEONARD-8667 was born in 1875 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1896.
Lois married5 (MRIN:3058) Wickliff B, MITCHELL-8670 on 15 Aug 1896 in Greene County, Indiana.
15 F viii. Iona LEONARD-8668 was born in 1876 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1880.
Iona married6 (MRIN:3062) George B. MEESE-8644 on 17 Jun 1900 in Greene County, Indiana. George died after 1900.
16 F ix. Laura LEONARD-8669 was born in 1878 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died after 1880.
Laura married7 (MRIN:3057) Harry MILLER-8028 son of Henry MILLER (Civil War)-6743 and Anna A. MYERS-8030 (MRIN:2852) on 1 Jan 1899 in Greene County, Indiana. Harry was born in 1877 in Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana. He died after 1880.
4. Mary Catherine LEONARD-8458 "Kate" (Joseph) was born on 28 Dec 1848 in Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana. She died on 31 Oct 1925 in Greene County, Indiana. She was buried on 2 Nov 1925 in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Washington Township, Greene County, Indiana.
OBITUARY: THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana, Thursday, November 5, 1925, Volume XLIX, Number 52,
Page 8, Columns 3 & 4, “DEATH’S HARVEST. SEXSON.” [Transcribed 2 Dec 2001 from Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public
Library’s IHS Microfilm Records.]
Mrs. Kate SEXSON, daughter of Joseph and Sophronia LEONARD, was born near Owensburg, Indiana, December 28, 1848, and died October
31, 1925, t the age of seventy-six years, ten months and three days.
She was one of a family of fourteen children, one brother, Thomas J. LEONARD, of Daytona, Florida, surviving.
She was married to Lemuel Boone SEXSON, February 16, 1869. To this union four children were born, all girls, two of whom died in infancy.
Ethel died at the age of nineteen, and Ida K. FIELDS surviving. She was also the grandmother of three as follows: Mrs. Fay HOLDER, of
Lyons; Mrs. Doris SCHANTZ, Lyons, now deceased, and Leonard O. FIELDS, of Indianapolis; also great-grandmother to one, Alice
SCHANTZ, of Lyons. Besides the above named children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, she was step-mother to five, namely: William J.
SEXSON, Mary L. STRAUSER, Snow WILSON, now deceased, John S. SEXSON and Emma F. PATE; also eighteen living step-
grandchildren.
Sister SEXSON united with the M. E. church in early girlhood, and was a loyal member of the church and a faithful Christian to the end. In
later life she moved her membership to Switz City, of which church she remained a faithful member to the last.
The writer remembers with pleasure the delight that came to him often of being in her home, “a preacher’s home,” where a royal welcome was
always given. Homes like that where Sister SEXSON held away are a delight to preachers’ heart. Those of us who knew her will miss her
because of her loyalty and those who came later will not know what they have missed.
She has gone, and those who remain her mourn the loss of a friend and relative and the daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
mentioned above.
The funeral and interment occurred at Prairie Chapel last Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the service being conducted by Rev. Allen
KENWORTHY, pastor of the M. E. church at Spencer.
The bereaved family and relatives desire to express their heartfelt thanks to the neighbors and friends who rendered many deeds of kindness
and assistance during the last sickness and after the death of our beloved mother; and also wish to especially thank the funeral directors,
Davidson & son, Rev. KENWORTHY and the Lyons male quartet.
Mr. and Mrs. Ovid FIELDS,
Mr. and Mrs. R. G. HOLDER,
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard O. FIELDS,
Katherine SCHANTZ.
Mary married8 (MRIN:2987) Lemuel Boone SEXSON-8449 "Uncle Boone" son of Hon. Joel B. SEXSON Sr.-8456 and Abigail V.-8457 (MRIN:2986) on 16 Feb 1869 in Greene County, Indiana. Lemuel was born on 16 Oct 1824 in Whitley County, Kentucky. He died on 14 Jun 1914 in Switz City, Greene County, Indiana. He was buried on 16 Jun 1914 in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.
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Appendix A - Sources
1. Indiana Marriages Through 1850 , http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/tango/marriage/l-m.qry?function=detail&Layout 0 uid1=37578, Indiana State Library Genealogy Division, http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/tango, Indianapolis, Indiana.
2. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 197, Book H, Page 97, 9 Jun 1867, Greene County Court Records, Clerk's Office, Court House, Bloomfield, IN 47424.
3. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 197, Book F, Page 388, 1858.
4. Cemeteries Of Eastern Greene County, Indiana (1994, The Greene County Historical Society, Bloomfield, IN), Page 112, Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library, S. Franklin Street, Bloomfield, IN 47424.
5. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 197, Book O, Page 362, 1896.
6. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 197, Book P, page 817, 1900.
7. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 197, Book P, Page 100, 1889.
8. WPA, Index To Marriage Records Of Greene County, Indiana , Index Page 19, Book H, Page 293, 16 Feb 1869.
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Household: 1880 Census
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Joseph LEONARD Self W 63 NC Farmer NC NC
Saphrona LEONARD Wife W 63 NC Keeps House NC NC
Tom J. LEONARD Son S W 26 IN School Teacher NC NC
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Source Information:
Census Place Jackson, Greene, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254280
NA Film Number T9-0280
Page Number 170D
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Household: 1880 Census This is Joseph and Sophronia Leonards son
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
*Leander LEONARD Self W 47 IN Carpenter NC NC
Sarah LEONARD Wife W 38 IN Keeps House TN NC
Edward LEONARD Son S W 20 IN Carpenter IN IN
Leander LEONARD Son S W 18 IN Works On Farm IN IN
Bell LEONARD Dau S W 13 IN At Home IN IN
Anna LEONARD Dau S W 11 IN At Home IN IN
Boone LEONARD Son S W 9 IN IN IN
Idus LEONARD Dau S W 7 IN IN IN
Lois LEONARD Dau S W 5 IN IN IN
Iona LEONARD Dau S W 4 IN IN IN
Laura LEONARD Dau S W 2 IN IN IN
Frank LEONARD Son S W 10M IN IN IN
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Source Information:
Census Place Jackson, Greene, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254280
NA Film Number T9-0280
Page Number 170D
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From: McNab2000@aol.com
Hi Mary,
Just wanted to let you know, that I was down in Bloomington, Indiana yesterday, and I drove down to Owensburg, Greene County (22 miles south east of Bloomington) and found the cemetary (Dishman) where Leander Paul Leonard and his father Joseph Leonard are buried, along with their wives.
On Leander's stone, it had "Sallie" as his wife, and I was thinking "I thought it was Martha". Then, as I was going around to take a picture of Joseph's stone from the back, on the side of Leander's was listed Martha A. Lamb 1st wife of Leander P. Leonard, with her birth and death date. I might have missed it other wise, I got a picture of it.
I had hoped to see a plaque for Rob's grandfather Benjamin "Franklin" (Frank) Leonard there, but found none. His mother said they took his ashes that had been sitting at Day Funeral Home for almost 30 years and took them there after they requested the family do something with them. So we are going to look into that. Maybe the Trustees of the cemetary just didn't do their job. I'll get the pictures developed as soon as I can finish the film up somehow (have an old friend I'm meeting this weekend, photo op). Will scan and then send to you.
Love,
Debra
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