In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1911) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856, Cedar county
From History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911), Portrait and biographical album of Muscatine County, Iowa (1889)
LEXANDER R. LEITH, M. D., of Wilton, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Iowa. In 1 839 his father, John P. Leith, who was a native of Leith, Scotland, and who came to America in an early day, settled in Cedar County. He was there united in marriage with Miss Maria Boydston, who was born in Ohio. He was one of the prominent citizens of that community in the pioneer days, and assisted in erecting what was known as the Whittlesy saw mill, which he operated for a considerable time. John P. Leith was a plain, upright, honest citizen. He possessed the characteristics of a genuine Scotch man, was outspoken and decided in his view’s of right and w'rong, and was respected by all for his sterling character and honesty of purpose. He died in 1865, and his wife departed this life two years previously. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom died prior to the death of the parents. The surviving members are: Mary, w'ho wedded Ephraim Bowman, and now resides at Cromwell, Union Co., Iowa; John P., who is living in Chase County, Kan., where he is engaged in stock-raising; Dr. Alexander R., of this sketch; Maggie, wife of Lyman Walterman, a real-estate dealer of Omaha,
Neb.; and George, wdio is engaged in the drug business at Creston, Iow'a.
Dr. Leith wtas born in Sugar Creek Township, Cedar Co., Iowa, June 28, 1856, and resided upon his father’s farm until the age of fifteen years, when he entered the Norton Academy, where he continued about one year. The succeeding year he engaged in teaching, after which he became a student of the Eastern Iowa Normal School, completing the commercial course in that institution. For some time he was then engaged in the drug-store of Dr. William Ross, but left that employ in order to study medicine with Dr. G. O. Morgridge. of Muscatine.
He attended lectures at the Medical Department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in March, 1882, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Wilton.
In September, 1880, Dr. Leith led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Parks, daughter of George Parks, one of the prominent citizens of Muscatine County. By the union of this worthy couple two children have been born, George Guyford and Walter. Although a young man, the Doctor is already taking a leading position among the medical men of Muscatine County, and is a prominent member of the County Society of Physicians and Surgeons, and now holds the position of Assistant Demon state of Anatomy in the Iowa State University.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Muscatine County, Iowa (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
A. R. LEITH, M. D.
Dr. A. R. Leith is the oldest practicing physician of Wilton, Muscatine county, having entered upon the active duties of his profession here in 1882. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, June 28, 1856, his parents being John P. and Maria (Boydston) Leith. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Leith came to the United States in 1839 and located on a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, where he erected a log cabin, which was the home of himself and family for several years. Lumber being in demand among the settlers, he built a sawmill on his farm, which he operated, and later erected a gristmill, his time being largely taken up with the management of those two enterprises. He departed this life in 1868, his wife having been called away five years previously. Ten children were born to them, five of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of E. Bowman, of Creston, Iowa; John P., of Chase county, Kansas; A. R., our subject; Maggie, now Mrs. Lyman Watterman, of Omaha, Nebraska; and George E., of California.
Dr. Leith early became injured to labor and at twelve years of age began to work as a farm hand. In the meantime he had attended the district school and, having profited by the instruction there offered, entered the Wilton Academy at fifteen years of age and was a student in that institution for two years. Upon leaving the academy he secured a certificate as a school-teacher and devoted five years to teaching. He began the study of medicine under Dr. G. O. Morgage, of Muscatine, and later matriculated in the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He immediately began practice at Wilton, where he has since continued, being associated at the present time with his son under the title of Leith & Leith. His patrons are to be found among the best families of the locality and no man in Muscatine county stands higher in the estimation of those who know him than Dr. Leith. In addition to being highly successful as a physician and surgeon he has also gained an enviable reputation in business circles and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land adjacent to the village of Wilton, eighty acres in Cedar county, Iowa, and also one-fourth interest in a plantation of seven thousand acres in Arkansas, of which twenty-eight hundred acres are planted in otte and four hundred in corn. Several hundred negroes are regularly employed in carrying forward the work upon this place.
In September, 1880, Dr. Leith was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Parks, who was born in Muscatine county in 1858, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Finney) Parks. The parents of Mrs. Leith were both natives of Ohio and became residents of Muscatine county. The father died in this county and the mother is now living in Muscatine. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Leith, the youngest of whom died in infancy, while the second child, Walter, passed away at the age of six years. George G., the eldest, received a good education and was graduated as a physician. He is now practicing in partnership with his father.
Dr. Leith gives his allegiance to the republican party and has served in several responsible positions, having filled the office of mayor of Wilton Junction for several terms and also for eighteen years represented the educational interests as member of the school board. During the greater part of this time he was president of the board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and has received the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, commander>' and shrine. His wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Having discharged his various duties for many years with strictest fidelity, Dr. Leith clearly represents a type of men who are leaders in any worthy movement and upholders of the best interests of society.
As printed in History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.