IowaJones/Biographies/S. Lawrence

S. Lawrence–J. A. Lemaster

Samuel Lawrence

SAMUEL LAWRENCE, farmer; P.O. Anamosa; is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Groton, Middlesex Co.; he grew up and received his education in Massachusetts, and when 18 years of age, he came West to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and taught school in Galena; he came to Iowa in 1852, and, after spending a few months in Dubuque and the mining regions, came to Jones Co. he was appointed Recorder of Deeds; he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Frank Hicks and was Acting Sheriff during his official term; he was afterward elected Sheriff of Jones Co. and served two years, and was again re-elected for a second term; he has also held school offices. Mr. Lawrence has been engaged in farming and owns 265 acres of land. During the war, he enlisted but did not go in the field.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 563.

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George F. LeClere
Born January 14, 1817

GEORGE F. LECLERE. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the wealthy retired farmers residing in Monticello. He came to Iowa comparatively a poor man and began farming on a tract of eighty acres in Dubuque County, He made a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs, and as he prospered invested his money in real estate, until at one time he was the owner of over eighteen hundred acres in this state. He is consequently one of the wealthiest retired farmers in this portion of Iowa and one of its largest landowners, notwithstanding he has given his children considerable property when ready to settle in life.

Mr. LeClere was born in France, January 14, 1817, and is the son of George F. and Catherine (Belea) LeClere, who emigrated to the United States with their family in the year 1828, landing in New York. They made their home on a farm in the woods of Oswego County, which they cleared, cultivated and lived upon until 1852, when the father died. Mrs. LeClere survived him until 1872, when she passed away at the home of her son, G. F.

The subject of this sketch was one in the family of eleven children born to his parents, only four of whom are now living. One is in New York, another in Storm Lake, Iowa, and the third in Dubuque County. Like his brothers and sisters, he attended the district school in Oswego County, N. Y., and remained on his father's farm until attaining manhood.

In 1841 our subject and Miss Louisa Laude were united in marriage. The lady was born in France and was the daughter of James and Margaret (Bourquin) Laude. Mr. and Mrs. LeClere located upon a farm in Oswego County, N. Y. where they lived until 1846, the date of their advent into Dubuque County, Iowa. Here he became the proprietor of eighty acres, which he cultivated in such a profitable manner that he was soon enabled to enlarge his estate, and continued to add to his possessions until he became the owner of one of the largest tracts in the county.

In 1878 Mr. LeClere removed from his farm to Monticello, where he has since resided in the ease and luxury which his industry so well deserves. To their union there have been born eight children, of whom four sons and two daughters are living. Charles F. is in Prairieburg, Iowa; Eliza C. is the wife of Morris Bebb, and resides in Monticello; George F. is a farmer and minister of the Presbyterian Church and makes his home in Texas; Albert D. is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in Dubuque County; Henry A. has in his possession three hundred and twenty acres also lying in Dubuque County; Lulu is Mrs. Smith; Emily and Susie are deceased.

In politics our subject was in early life a Whig and cast his first Presidential vote for General Harrison. He is now, however, a strong Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party. Religiously he and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and their whole lives reflect great credit in that connection.

From Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pgs. 351-352, and submitted by Becky Teubner.

William Leech
Born November 15, 1821

WILLIAM LEECH, farmer. Sec. 34; P.O. Center Junction; born in Center Co., Penn., November 15, 1821; his parents, William and Elizabeth Leech, removed to what is now Clarion Co, Penn., in 1838. He was married to Mary Jane Corbitt, born in Clarion Co.; Mr. Leech came to Jones Co. in November, 1857, and settled where he now lives; he has 387 acres of land; is engaged in stock-raising; has six children—Elizabeth W., Clara J., Amy E., James T., Mary B. and H. T.; has lost one—Gohean TV. Mr. Leech and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 656.

Louis Leek
Born 1832

LOUIS LEEK, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 21; P.O. Langworthy; born in Wyoming Co., N.Y., in 1832; came to Jones Co. in November, 1863. His wife's maiden name Emily Annis, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N.Y.; they were married in 1853; have had five children, four are living—Lorenzo, Stephen, Nellie and Ida. Mr. Leek carries on a farm on shares with Mr. Noah Bigley. He and his wife and one of the children are members of the M.E. Church. Mr. Leek is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 630.

C. A. Leffingwell
Born November 14, 1850

That farming in Iowa is a profitable business is evidenced by the life of C. A. Leffingwell, who through the cultivation of its rich lands has derived the competence that now enables him to put aside business cares and live retired in a beautiful home in the village of Oxford. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, November 14, 1850, a son of Edwin and Louise M. (Fitch) Leffingwell, the former born in Ohio and the latter in the Keystone state. In 1851 the father made a business trip to Iowa and while on his way back to Ohio his death occurred. Subsequent to his death the mother, with her family of four children, came to Jones county, Iowa, the year of her arrival here being 1854. She entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Oxford township and after improving the tract made her home thereon until 1868. Then, selling the farm, she purchased another in the same township, remaining there until her death, which occurred in 1874. As stated her family numbered four children, but only two are now living, the sister of our subject being Sarah L., the wife of Milo Lathrop, of New Market, Taylor county, Iowa. Mary E., the other sister, died in 1874, at the age of twenty-eight years, while the brother, Henry E., was drowned in 1875, at the age of thirty-one years.

C. A. Leffingwell was a little lad of four years at the time of the removal from Ohio to Jones county. At the usual age he entered the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that fitted him to face the responsibilities of life in later years. He remained with his mother until the time of her death and after reaching mature years assisted her materially in the manage ment and operation of the home place. On the 11th of February, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Rathbone, the only child of George and Mary Rathbone and a native of Jones county. Her parents were both natives of England and are now deceased.

Following his marriage Mr. Leffingwell continued to engage in farm work and be and his wife are now in possession of two hundred and seventy acres of variable farm property in Oxford township. After leading a busy, useful and active life for many years, Mr. Leffingwell removed to Oxford, where he owns a fine residence on Fifth Avenue. He still retains possession of his farm, from which he secures a good rental that supplies him with all the comforts of life.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leffingwell have been born one son and two daughters: George Edwin, of Oxford; Agnes M., the wife of L. F. Zeller; and Grace A., who is a graduate of the Oxford high school and is at home. A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Leffingwell was nominated on that ticket to the state senate in 1899 but met with defeat. He has served as township trustee and has filled a number of minor offices, in all of which he has discharged his duties faithfully and conscientiously. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 88, at Oxford. His labors in former years were of a character that contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success and now he is living a contented and happy life and enjoying the rest which he so well deserves.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 421.

Henry Lehmkuhl
Born January 16, 1836

HENRY LEHMKUHL, salesman in store, Anamosa; is a native of Germany, and was born January 16, 1836; he emigrated to America in 1857, and came West to Iowa in 1859, and, in 1860, came to Anamosa; he was engaged in mercantile business for a number of years, and built up a large trade. He is a member of the Order of I.0.0.B., and is connected with the Lodge here. He has served in the City Council. He married Mary L. Ehrlich, a native of Germany, August 8, 1872; she has established a greenhouse and is cultivating flowers and plants; they own their house and block of ground where they live.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 563.

J. A. Lemaster
Born January 9, 1843

J. A. LEMASTER, farmer, Madison Twp., Sec. 23; P.O. Wyoming; born January 9, 1843, at Vinegar Hill, Wis.; in 1868, he came to Jones Co.; he owns eighty acres of land. Married Miss Orpha A. Wright in 1878; she was born in Jo Daviess Co., Ill.; have one child-Alpheus E.; he enlisted in 1861, in Co. D, 45th I.V.I.; served through the war. Republican.

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