The Leffel Family of Clark County, Ohio

JAMES P. LEFFEL, retired farmer; P. O. Springfield. “ Father" Leffel is one of the few remaining pioneers.who are yet left to relate the scenes and incidents of early pioneer life in this county. He was born March 29, 1799, on the banks of the Potomac River, in Berkeley Co, Va. Of John and Margaret's eleven children, James is the only surviving one. When James was but 2 years old, his father died, when the care of the eleven children devolved upon the mother; at the age of 15, James hired out at $6 per month, to work on a farm, and at the age of 18 came to Ohio and to this county, bringing with him his mother ahd one brother, the rest of the children having come some three or four years before. On his arrival here he hired to his brother John to work in the, mill and at the end of four years went into partnership with his brother, and built the mill now owned by Henry Snyder; and after running this mill eight years, his health failed so much that he was obliged to quit milling. He then sold his interest in the mill to his brother John and moved to Medway, where he remained two years, when he removed to his present home. He started for himself with no fortune except a good character and willing hands, and has maintained. the same without a blemish. He owns 1,600 acres of land, besides a considerable amount of city property. He was married in 1822 to Elizabeth Miller; she departed this life Sept. 18, 1874. Of their ten children, six are now living, viz., Michael, Martin, Joseph, Reuben, Elizabeth and Scott. He has twenty-five grandchildren.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MICHAEL LEFFEL, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Michael Leffel, son of James P. and Elizabeth Leffel, was born in this county March 20, 1822, and was married June 6, 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Mary Cosler. They have had eight children, viz., Xarisa, James H., Winfield, Antionetta, Leonidas, Mary, Adison and Elizabeth. Xarisa was married, July 5, 1868, to James H. Drake; she died April 18, 1878; James was married, Jan. 1, 1874, to Rebecca L. Turner; they enjoyed their union but four short months, when death called her home; Antionetta was married, Sept. 10, 1874, to Joseph Kist. Mary was married, Nov. 18, 1880, to Milton Crabill. Mrs. Michael Leffel was born Dec. 5, 1822, in Mentg mery C, Ohio; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio and to this county in 1806. Mr. Leffel followed farming all his life and has always resided in this county, except eight years that he lived in Miami Co., Ohio. He now lives three and a half miles south of Springtield on the Yellow Spring Pike, where he is engaged quite extensively in farming and pays special attention to the raising of Poland-China breed of hogs. James is a Patriarch of Springfield Encampment, No. 16, I. O.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Henry Leffel was born in Clark county, Ohio, in the township of Springfield, October 27, 1821. His father, Thomas Leffel, was a native of Virginia and was one of a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The sons were: Samuel; John, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Daniel; Jacob, who married a Miss Stafford, of Yellow Springs; Thomas; Anthonv; and James P. A

Thomas Leffel was married in Virginia to Miss Margaret Carney, and about 1818 came to Ohio, journeying in a one-horse wagon and bringing with him his wife and one child, then but eighteen months of age. On the journey he tied a tree to the,rear of the wagon to act as a brake to impede its progress in going down hill. He first settled just east of Carlisle and afterward removed to the Sients farm on the National pike. There he remained for a number of years, after which he removed to Springfield township, south of the city of Springfield. He was a poor man when he came to Ohio and being unable to buy ready made furnishings for his home he used a box for a table.

By hard work and indefatigable industry, however, he at length won success and became the owner of a very desirable farm. provided with many of the comforts of life. His death occurred in October, 1856, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife survived him for twenty-two years and died in the eighty-seventh year of her age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Leffel was a Democrat. He was very energetic and persevering and set for his family an example in this respect well worthy of emulation.

Unto Mr. and Mrs.:- Leffel were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living, while one died in infancy and two others have also passed away. The family record is as follows: John, born in Virginia, is now deceased. Hannah became the wife of George Deaton, but both are deceased. Sarah is the wife of Isaac Stratton and their home is in Green township, Clark county. Henry is the fourth in order of birth. Elizabeth is the wife of David Wolf, a resident of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Catherine married Asa Baker, who is now deceased, while her home is on North Factory street. Susan

— is the widow of John Dudley and resides on East Clifton street in Springfield. Polly is the wife of William Armstrong, of Indiana. Amanda is the widow of Pierson Dudley and resides in East Liberty. Thomas is living on West Mulberry street in this city.

Henry Leffel, whose introduces this review, was born Springfield and attended the district schools, pursuing his studies in what is known as the name and reared near

Possum school, which was conducted on the subscription plan. He was thus engaged until eighteen years of age through the winter months, while in the summer months he assisted his father in clearing and developing the home farm. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he began cutting wood. He received twenty-five cents per cord and boarded himself. Later he secured work of the same kind and received his board in addition to the twenty-five cents per cord paid him. He also cradle grain for one dollar per day and for mowing received fifty cents per day. Later he worked at eight dollars a month during the summer season. He was industrious:and economical and in this way he was enabled to lay by some money. years

When twenty-se of age he made his first purchase land, becoming the owner of forty acres which he paid seven hundred dollars. Later he bought another tract, for which he paid sixteen hundred dollars, and subsequently he bought eighty-four acres for three thousand dollars. This was his father's old farm, and for it he paid cash. It is situated in Green township and the purchase was made after his father's death. It will thus be seen that as the years advanced he worked earnestly, carefully and systematically and gained due success.

Mr. Leffel was united in mar ge to

Miss Agnes Inlow, who is now deceased. They had two children: Margaret Jane, the wife of George Plattenberg, a resident of this city; and Henry Oliver, who resides in Green township. He married Martha Gram and they have five children—Viola, Dora, Harriet, Mary and Margaret. Mrs. Leffel, the mother, was buried in Greenmount cemetery, and in 185 Mr. Leffel was again married, his second union being with Miss Lucinda Slater, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Sarah (Thomas) Slater. Her parents removed to Springfield when the daughter was only three years of age, and a year after the father died, passing away in 1835, at which time his remains were interred in Columbia street cemetery. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker. His wife, who was born April 16, 1800, died November 5, 1876, and was buried in Ferncliff cemetery. They were the parents of seven children, of whom two died in childhood. Joseph, of Philadelphia, ae ami; Martha, who became the wife

Gilbert Souder, but both are now deer Calvin, who has also passed away;

kind, the wife of our subject; and Hen- ‚ıetta, who married Samuel Deffenbaugh, but is now deceased. Her husband resides on West Pleasant street in this city.. Mr. Leffel was married the second time in Springfield and continued to reside in the city for two years.

The others were:

now a resident

He was engaged in hauling wood from his farm to the city until 1858, when he removed to the old home place in Green township, where he engaged in farming for six years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the county seat, this being during the time of the Civil war. Here he enlisted as a member of Company D, One

Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer, Infantry, becoming a private of that command in May, 1864. In August, of the same year, he returned home and in 1866 he again took up his residence upon the farm, here remaining until 1894. On the expiration of that period he removed to Yellow Springs, Greene county, Ohio, where “he lived_for four years and then Temoved to Springfield, Ohio, his present home being at No. 497 West Mulberry street. Since leaving the farm four years ago, he has lived a retired life. eighty-four acres of fine farm land and has erected good buildings upon his place, which he keeps in excellent condition.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leffel have been born five children. Frances is the widow of Henry Cosler and resides on West High street. She has an adopted daughter, Frances. Calista is the wife of William Randolph Seever, of Springfield, and they have five children

— Laura M., Elmer O., Cozetta V., Pearl.

R. and Raymond. Florence died at the age of three months. Luella is the wiie vi John Sparrow, a resident of Green tow ship, Clark county, and they have one child, Sära Whig and upon the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Republican which he supported for some time, For about party, but to-day he is a Prohibitionist. three years he served as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are devoted Christian people, holding membership in the Central Methodist Episcopal church. For fifty years he has been a licensed preacher and has served as a class-leader and trustee, while for over a half century he has been a member of the official board. In religious matters he has been very active, con- He owns

William Sheridan resides at home. In his political views Mr. Leffel was first zealous and influential. When twenty-one years of age he became superintendent of the Sunday-school and long acted in that capacity. He is a member of Mitchell Post, No. 43, G. A. R., and he takes a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining to the general good, doing all in his power to promote advancement along social, material, intellectual and moral lines.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. MARTIN LEFFEL.

J. Martin Leffel belongs to one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Clark county. He has passed the Psalmist’s span of life of three-score years and ten, having reached the seventy-fourth milestone of life’s journey. He was born August 24, 1828, upon the home farm, three miles north of Donnelsville, on the North Hampton pike, in Bethel township, Clark county. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Clapsaddle) Leffel, and the father was born in Virginia, whence he came to Clark county in 1812, in company with his six brothers, John, Jacob, Thomas, Anthony, James and Samuel. The family has always been celebrated for its mechanical ingenuity and John Leffel was the father of James Leffel, who invented the turbine water wheel.

On the old home farm J. Martin Leffel of this review was reared and to the public school system of the county he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He married Wilhelmina Athy, a daughter of John Athy, who, when a young man, came fromı Maryland to Clark county and there followed farming. He accumulated about four hundred acres of land and was known as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. His death occurred when he had reached the age of fifty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Rue, was a daughter of John Rue, a farmer of Mad Rliver township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leffel were born two children: Ulysses Grant, the elder, married Maude Magill and they have three children—Orne, Joseph M. and Maude. John C. married Clara Conard and they have one child— Julia Catherine.

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Leffel responded to his country's call for aid and was mustered out in the succeeding fall. During his term he was engaged in guard duty along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. from Cumberland to Martinsburg. He now follows farming, his place being located three and one-half miles from Springfield, in Springfield township, near the border line of Bethel township, where he has forty acres.of land. He has, however, practically retired from work and his land is leased to others and in the evening of life he is now enjoying a rest which he richly deserves and merits. He belongs to Enon Post, G. A. R., and is a member of the Methodist church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH LEFFEL, fruit and vegetable dealer, Springfield. There are few persons in Clark County who have not heard of Col. Joe Leffel, he being the smallest business man in Ohio, and, in fact, we might say, the United States, but his size has not been a bar to his success in life, as he has always been recognized as successful in everything he has undertaken. He was born in this county Sept. 21, 1833, and is the son of James P. and Elizabeth Leffel, and when an infant he was attacked by a disease which impeded his growth, and now in his 48th year he is but three feet ten inches in height. He was married March 10, 1876, to Sarah B. Meade, daughter of Alfred and Mary (Hatcher) Meade, who was born in this county Feb. 14, 1857, of which union two children have been the issue, viz., Joseph F. and Gilbert W. In 1865, Mr. Leffel opened a photograph gallery, in which he engaged one year, then went into the grocery business, at which he remained about the same time; was also in the bee culture for many years, and is at present engaged in the fruit and vegetable trade on West High street. His parents were large robust people, his father being over six feet in height, and the family are among the prominent pioneer farmers of Clark County. !

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

REUBEN W. LEFFEL, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of James P. and Elizabeth Leffel; was born in this county May 9, 1836; he lived with his parents until 1862, when, he moved to his present home. He was married Jan. 21, 1858, to Rachel, daughter of John and Mahala (Myres) McClelland. They have four children, viz, Adda M., Hester A., Charles R. and Stella E. Mrs. Leffel was born in Greene County July 28, 1832; her parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to Ohio in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben W. have a pleasant home and a fine family of children; the girls take great delight in ornamenting the home to make it not only cheerful and pleasant, but attractive. Mr. Leffel engaged largely in farming and stock raising, and makes a specialty of breeding Jersey cattle; he is a member in good standing of Springfield Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F.; also a Patriarch of Mad River Encampment, No. 16, I. O. O. F.; he and his good wife are consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ED C. LEFFEL, manufacturer, Springfield. This young enterprising manufacturer is the son of James (the inventor of the water wheel) and Mary Leffel. He was born in the city of Springfield, Ohio, July 4, 1857; he received his primary education in the public school of this city, then attended school in New Haven, Conn.; was also a student in the Highland Military Academy, of Worcester, Mass. He was married, Nov. 7, 1877, to Miss Lillian G. Horr, daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth (Morgan) Horr, who were one of the first families of Springfield. One bright, promising boy, James Calvin, has blessed the home of Ed C. and Lillian. In July, 1880, Mr. Leffel began the manufacture of the Croft Wind Engine, an invention which has been received by the public with great favor, and under Mr. Leffel's management bids fair to be a profitable invention to the manufacturer, as well as a blessing to the public, by supplying a long felt want. Mr. Leffel, although a. young man yet, has seen much of the world, having visited all the principle cities of the East. His handsome brick residence is located on South Limestone street.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In the family of Jacob Leffel were the following children: John, the subject of this sketch; William, who married Julia Tritle: Samuel, who married Catherine Gordon; James, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume; Peter, who n-carried Jane Brandinburg; George, who married Caroline Kiefer; Henry, who never married; Mrs. Mary Botkin; Mrs. Margaret Croft; Mrs. Elizabeth Brandinburg; Mrs. Martha Rowland; Mrs. Lucinda Verdeer; Mrs. Catherine Olinger; and Mrs. Sarah Shull.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

When twenty-eight years of age Mr.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES NELSON LEFFEL, proprietor of the C. N. Leffel saw-mill of New Carlisle, has been a resident here since 1899, and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the village. He was born December 24, 1869, on a farm in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick and Ehtha (Long) Leffel.

Frederick Leffel, a native of Clark County, was the eldest child of William Leffel, who settled near the Black Horse Tavern at a very early period. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm and he later operated a water-power saw-mill and also a threshing machine. He was first married to Mary Slusser, also a native of Clark County, who died in Champaign County, Ohio. Six children were born of this union, but one of whom is living, Margaret Ann, who is the wife of David Poorman. His second marriage was with Elitha Long, a daughter of John Loilg, who came to Ohio from the east. Three children were born of the second tion, namely: Carry, who married Charles Berry, of St. Paris, Ohio; Charles Nelson, subject of this sketch; and Geoi'ge Franklin, of New Carlisle. The second wife died in Champaign County, Ohio. Frederick Leffel sold his mill in Champaign County and, coming to New Carlisle, purchased the mill which our subject now operates. His death occurred here in 1906, when he was seventy-five years of age.

Charles N. Leffel was educated in the public and high schools of St. Paris. Al the age of nine years he began devoting his spare time to work in his father's mill and has since made milling his life occupation. He operated a saw-mill in Memphis, Tenn., for about ten months, and in 1889 he came to Clark County and operated his father's mill at New Carlisle until 1906, when he purchased it and has since been engaged in business for himself, employing eight men in the mill, which is situated on the P. & E. division of the Big Four Railroad.

Mr. Leffel was first married in 1888 in Champaign County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Apple, a daughter of James and Susan- Apple, and to them was born one child, Blanche May. His second marriage was with Pearl Mitchell, a daughter of Walker and Sallie Mitchell, and of this union were born three children — Catherine, Charles Frederick, and Marietta. Mr. Leffel and family reside in their commodious home on Church Street. Politically. Mr. Leffel is a Democrat; fraternally he is connected with the I. 0. 0. F. No. 505, of New Carlisle.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.