Saturday, December 29, 2012

How the Leathers Came to Logan County

The Leathers sent only one family member to Logan County, but that is all that it took to intertwine with the Polley name. Here is an account of how Miss Betty Jane Leathers came to reside in Logan County.

For this story, we travel all the way back to the Netherlands in 1728. A ship called the Mortonhouse, full of 205 passengers, is leaving the port of Rotterdam for a trip to a new land. The ship is under the command of Master Jonathan Coultas. The final records show 69 women, 56 children, and 80 men on this ship. One of the men on the ship is named Frederick Leder. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, he and the ship would arrive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 24, 1728. The members of the ship would all have taken the oath of allegiance for this new land.

Frederick ends up having a son whom he also names Frederick. Frederick, Jr., also has a son whom he names Frederick. And this is where we pick up the story.

Frederick III was the son of Frederick Leathers, Jr. and Jane Strickler.

He married Barbara Shirk. [Her great-grandfather, Ulrich Schurch, and Frederick's grandfather, Frederick Leder I both came to America on the same ship, the Mortonhouse, in 1728. They lived in York Co. and then Centre Co., Penn.] Their children were all born in Pennsylvania and married in Ohio.

Just before moving to Ohio, Frederick III and Barbara have a son on January 10, 1800, in Pennsylvania whom they name Christian. Around 1800 (before Ohio became a state in 1803) Frederick moved his family to Amanda, Fairfield County, Ohio.

According to "A Complete History of Fairfield County" written in 1877, Frederick Leathers was actually the first white settler on the land in Amanda Township. "Frederick Leathers is spoken of as the first settler" (page 83). And "Frederick Leathers settled in the southern part of the township in about the year 1800" (page 226). He is shown to have run a tavern of which he later sold to Isaac Griffith. He is said to have built the first log-house in the area, a two-story structure with the old-style tavern on the first floor. The first Mennonite church also met at this same tavern.

In 1802, only three or four cabins exist on the route between Zanesville and Lancaster. And the Leathers House and another Swygart cabin are referred to as the only two structures between Lancaster and where a party stopped on Clear Creek. Frederick really is a pioneer of the land. He is listed as a taxpayer in Amanda Township in 1806.

He is also listed as a Private in April 1813 during the War of 1812.

Frederick III dies in 1821 and is presumed to have been buried in Fairfield County, though the grave has not been found. His son Christian starts his own family. According to the History of Van Wert and Mercer County, "Christian Leathers was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, but was brought to Ohio by his parents in the same year. Here he was raised and occupied as a farmer until 1832, when he married Catherine Shupe [other records indicate the marriage in 1824] and moved to Fairfield County, where he remained until 1850. He then moved to Van Wert and on arrival there first stopped with Smith Hill, one of the pioneers of that county. A short time afterward, Mr. Leathers located in Ridge Township and, assisted by his sons commenced cleaning the land. Both he and his wife were life-long members of the Lutheran Church. He died in 1864. His wife survived her 76th birthday in 1879, on which occasion a family reunion was held and 50 relatives were present. She died the next day of heart trouble." (1882, page 204).

The 1850 United States Census shows Christian (50) married to Catherine (46) and living with children Mary (18), Harrison (15), John F. (13), Abram (9), and Sarah M. (6). Older children Noah, Lewis, and Elizabeth have already moved out. Christian is a farmer as is his son Harrison. The census shows Christian being born in Pennsylvania while Catherine was born in Maryland. Catherine cannot read or write. The family is residing in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.

1850 United States Census, Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio


Elsewhere, we learn that the children are listed as follows:

Children
1. Noah LEATHERS
2. Lewis LEATHERS b: 15 Jan 1827 in Ohio
3. Elizabeth LEATHERS b: 8 Jun 1829 in Fairfield, Ohio
4. Mary Elizabeth LEATHERS b: 2 Feb 1832 in Fairfield, Ohio
5. Harrison LEATHERS b: 30 Oct 1834 in Amanda, Fairfield County, Ohio
6. John F. LEATHERS b: 18 Aug 1837 in Ohio
7. Abraham LEATHERS Rev. b: 19 Apr 1841 in Fairfield, Ohio
8. Wesley LEATHERS b: 1843
9. Sarah Mariah LEATHERS b: Nov 1844 in Fairfield, Ohio


Sometime between 1850 and 1860, Christian moves his family to Van Wert County, Ohio, where they settle in Ridge Township. All of the children but Abraham have now moved out. Christian is now 60 and still married to Catherine (58) with Abraham (19) still single at home. Christian shows real estate value of $1600 and personal estate value of $400.


1860 United States Census, Ridge Township, Van Wert County, Ohio


What is important to note is that on the same census page, we learn that son Harrison lives just a few houses away. Harrison (25) has married M.A. (23) and have a young child named Ambrose (1). The family shows real estate value of $800 and personal estate value of $264.

1860 United States Census, Ridge Township, Van Wert County, Ohio


The United States is engaged in a very personal battle between states over slavery, and the Leathers family is no stranger to the war. Sometime in the early part of this decade, Christian Leathers joins Company G of the 41st Illinois Infantry. He is a Private fighting on the side of the Union. It is unclear how or where Christian died (whether it was part of the Civil War or not), but he dies September 17, 1864, at the age of 64 years, 3 months, and 22 days. He is buried in Ridge Cemetery in Van Wert County, Ohio (Section Old A, Row 16). After Christian's death, his wife lives with daughter Sarah Moneysmith.

A 1928 request to have Christian Leathers interred in a National Cemetery for his Civil War service


Christian Leathers, died September 17, 1864, Ridge Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio

As with most of the rest of the country, the Civil War was a family affair. Not only was father Christian a soldier, but son Harrison was also fighting for the Union. Quite a bit is known about this gentleman's faithful albeit painful service to his side of the country.

Harrison Leathers was born October 31, 1834, to Christian (January 10, 1800-September 17, 1864) and Catherine (Shupe) Leathers (December 26, 1803-December 27, 1879), both of whom had migrated to Ohio with their parents as small children. The Leathers family consisted of eight children including Harrison: Noah, who died in infancy; Louis; Eliza, later the wife of Jacob Fowler; Abraham; and Sara, later the wife of S. R. Moneysmith. The Leathers arrived in Van Wert County in 1852, probably from Amanda, Ohio, and established a farm in Section #34 in Ridge Township.

Leathers married Martena Adaline Cummings, the daughter of Emanuel and Mary (Redman) Cummings on 15 April 1858. The couple had four children: Edmond Ambrose, a farmer who married Jennie Bell; William Creighton, employed by the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, who married first Ella Young and then Jennie Leslie; Delora Virginia, who married W. C. Gilliland; and Florence Emma Bell, who married J. G. Prill.

Leathers enlisted as a private in Company A of the 99th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry August 5, 1862, for a term of three years. In September and October of 1862 his company was involved in skirmishing with the enemy south of Louisville, Kentucky and was engaged in a battle near Perryville, Kentucky on September 10. At about this time, Leathers became ill, suffering from chronic diarrhea. He remained with his company until continued illness forced his hospitalization, first in Lebanon, Kentucky and then in New Albany, Indiana, where he arrived November 4, 1862. He returned to Louisville on January 8 but still felt periodically unwell.

On February 1, 1863, he rejoined his company which was then in Nashville, but, suffering once again from diarrhea, was moved to the General Field Hospital April 30, 1863. From then until November of 1864, he was in hospitals in Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati and Camp Denison (near Cincinnati).
Leathers spent the rest of the war in what he referred to as the "Invalid Corps," the 17th Regiment of the Veteran Reserve Corps. This regiment was organized in January of 1864 and stationed at Indianapolis, Indiana and was active in controlling liquor sales to soldiers passing through the city, guarding military stores, pursuing and arresting deserters, enforcing the draft law, guarding a military prison near the city, and conducting recruits and draftees to the front and prisoners to other prisons.

Leathers was transferred to the Regiment October 30, 1864, and arrived in Indianapolis with a group of men from Camp Denison on November 14. Between then and his discharge June 30, 1865, Leathers was a private in this regiment, performing such duties as working in the cookhouse, guarding the pay master's office, and acting as orderly. He was detailed several times to conduct prisoners or recruits, once to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the time he was in Indianapolis, he was visited by his wife and members of his family and also was able to travel to Van Wert several times on leaves and furloughs.

After the War, Leathers returned to his family in Van Wert to continue his life as a farmer. By 1896 he owned 172 acres of farm land in Ridge Township, some lots in Middlepoint, and conducted a milling operation. He and his wife were active in the local Lutheran Church, in which he was an officer for over thirty years, and served for a long period as Sunday School Superintendent. He was also active in the local Republican Party and served as clerk, trustee, and assessor for Ridge Township. Leathers continued to play an active role in the social and civic life of his community until his death June 5, 1902.

Harrison Leathers, died June 5, 1902, Ridge Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio


We pick up the story with Edmond Ambrose, eldest son of Harrison Leathers. We also know quite a bit about this gentleman.

From the History of Van Wert County: Edmond A. Leathers, one of the prominent and representative farmers and stockraisers of Ridge township, whose well-improved farm of 120 acres is situated in section 34, was born in Ridge township, on February 26, 1859, and is a son of Harrison and Martena A. (Cummings) Leathers. The father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 30, 1834, and was a son of Christian Leathers, who was of German extraction but a native of Maryland. The parents came to Ohio at an early day, and in Harrison's boyhood settled in Ridge township, Van Wert County. The latter spent the remainder of his life in the township named, where he died June 5. 1902. He was a prominent and valued citizen, and served efficiently in a number of the local offices, at various times being assessor and township clerk. During the greater part of his life he was an elder in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the General Synod. He was a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his burial was conducted according to the ritual of the order. His widow still resides in Ridge township.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Leathers were : Edmond A., of this sketch; William C. and Delora V. (Mrs. William C. Gilliland) both of Ridge township; and Florence E., wife of John G. Prill, of Payne, Paulding County, Ohio.

Edmond A. Leathers was reared in Ridge township and was educated in both its public and private schools as well as at Van Wert. After completing his education, he taught for four consecutive years in Willshire and Liberty townships, and after his marriage settled on his present valuable farm on which he has erected one of the most attractive modern residences in the township. The land owned by the estate of the late Harrison Leathers has become doubly valuable on account of the great development of oil upon it. In 1901 there was drilled on the farm mentioned, which is situated in section 34, Ridge township, an oil-well which, for 33 consecutive days, flowed 250 barrels of oil per day, without being pumped. Later pumping machinery was installed and oil was produced in large, paying quantities.
Edmond Ambrose Leathers

On June 3, 1883, Mr. Leathers was married to Mary J. Bell, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Reame) Bell. Seven children have been born to this marriage, namely : James H., Arthur M., Urban C., Clara B., Earl E., Beulah B. and Luther E.

Politically Mr. Leathers is usually in accord with the Republican party. He has served several terms as assessor of Ridge township and as land appraiser, his knowledge in this direction being very considerable. Fraternally he belongs to Van Wert Lodge, No. 251, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1880; the Knights of Pythias, at Middlepoint, and the Modern Woodmen, at Van Wert. Since his youth he has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, is an elder in the Ridge township church, is serving as secretary of the joint council of the Salem charge, and is also a church trustee. In short, he is a man in whom his neighbors have placed implicit confidence for many years—one of the township's most intelligent and representative men, in every relation of life.
The Leathers family is spoken of very highly. Edmond passes away in 1825 in Van Wert County, Ohio.
Edmond's son James Harrison is where the story continues. James Harrison was born April 25, 1884, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. We find him living with his large family in this same county in 1900. James is 16 years old and a farm laborer along with his other three brothers, most likely on their dad's farm. Edmond is shown as owning a home free and clear.
1900 United States Census, Ridge Township, Van Wert County, Ohio
Wealth hits this family in 1901 with the finding of oil on their farm, and it appears that the course of this family's life is appreciably altered. We do not have a record of James Harrison in 1910 or 1920, although we find Edmond and family still residing in Van Wert County. James Harrison later appears in 1922, though, a couple of states over in Illinois. He marries Cora Alice Dedrick on August 27, 1922, at the age of 38. Below we find a picture of this couple with a picture taken in Van Wert County. It's unknown how or where they met. Although not known to be fact, it appears that James has moved to Illinois to follow an oil job. We know that James Harrison would work for Marathon as an oil worker. Is it possible that these oil contacts with Marathon started with the finding of oil on his dad's farm?

James Harrison Leathers, taken in Van Wert County, Ohio


Cora and James Harrison Leathers, taken in Van Wert County, Ohio


We finally find this family in 1930 during the United States Census. James Harrison (45) and Cora (37) are living in Oblong Township, Crawford County, Illinois. They have two little daughters living with them: Betty J. (4) and Mary L. (0 months). James Harrison is a pumper on an oil field, and he and his family own a home worth $1500. They have a radio set. Cora was born in Illinois, although her dad was born in Pennsyvlania and her mother in Illinois.

James Harrison Leathers (back left) with farmers and oil workers


A family picture is taken in Robinson, Illinois. Cora is on the right with Edmond Ambrose Leathers in the front with the moustache.

The Leathers Family Photo, Robinson, Illinois


Harrison Leathers dies at the young age of 61 years old. Cora and Harrison have three children, two of whom survived. Young Harrison Leathers, Jr., named in honor of his father did not make it past infancy. Mary Louise lived from 1929-1980.

Betty Jane and Mary Louise Leathers, Oblong, Illinois


Obituary for James Harrison Leathers, Jr.


The family has finally made it to Illinois, but the family still resides several counties away from Logan County. What brings young Betty to move away from her family? It's her job. Betty attends the Eastern Illinois Teacher's School in Charleston, Illinois, for college. As part of her agreement for receiving education, she student teaches there, then takes her first teaching position in Sparta, Illinois. After her tenure is up with Sparta, she is unable to find another available teaching position, and the school season is fast-approaching!

She finally learns of a teaching position in a small rural town called Hartsburg, Illinois, and it's her only opportunity she has for teaching that school year. So out of the sheer need for a teaching job, Betty Jane Leathers moves northwest to Logan County, Illinois.

The Leathers have finally made it to Logan County.


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