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.
From Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa (1911), The Biographical record of Clinton County, Iowa .. (1901)
FRANK W. LEEDHAM.
Among the active and enterprising citizens of Clinton is this well-known public official, who is now so acceptably filling the office of auditor of his native county. He was born in Lyons on the loth of May, 1867, and is a son of Thomas Leedham, whose sketch will be seen on another page of this volume. He passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native township, and is indebted tk 1 her public schools for his educational privileges, which were supplemented by a course in Griswell's College in Davenport. He began his business career as assistant bookkeeper with the Lyons Lumber Company, and later accepted a position in the office of W. J. Young & Company, where he filled different positions in ' their office und 1890, when his health failed and he was obliged to return to his father's farm with the intention of soon goingto. the mountains of Colorado, but was not well enough to leave for some time, having had a hemorrhage. Owing to his outdoor exercise, he improved, however, and as soon as he had sufficiently recovered he commenced buying and shipping cattle. While engaged in this business he was on horseback most of the time, and this proved very beneficial to his health, so that he has entirely recovered, and is to-day a fine specimen of strong, robust manhood.
Mr. Leedham was married in 1892 to Miss Blanche Leffingwell, a daughter of Charles Leffingwell, of Lyons, who was a son of Judge William E. Leffingwell, and who was accidentally killed while hunting when about thirty years of age. His wife was a daughter of Dr. Westbrook, one of the oldest physicians of Lyons.
Mr. and Mrs. Leedham are the parents of three children: Harry L., Helen A. and Donald W. Mrs. Leedham when a young lady took up vocal music and studied under Miss Lincoln, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, for about two years, and for many years has taken a prominent part in musical affairs in Clinton, singing in the various churches of both Clinton and Lyons.
In his" social relations Mr. Leedham is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, consistory and Eastern Star chapter of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Court of Honor and the Knights and Ladies of the Golden Precept. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and on his party ticket was elected county auditor in 1900. He has since efficiently served in that capacity, and at the same time has filled the position of president of the public library of Lvons. He is pre-eminently public spirited and progressive, and takes an active interest in any enterprise which he believes calculated to advance the welfare of his native county.
As printed in The Biographical record of Clinton County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
FRANK W. LEEDHAM.
Local politics in Clinton county have been marked by a strong spirit of independence, and the county officers are chosen by the voters on account of personal merit, and not because of partisanship. This is shown by the fact that the officers are usually divided between the parties, and that officers who have rendered exceptional services have been retained long in office. So in this county more than in most it is a personal tribute to a man to retain him in office for several terms, and it is an indication of unusual merit and a proof of the people's confidence when one man has been twelve years auditor of his county, and during that time has received large majorities, when the most of the officers elected were on the ticket of the opposite party.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
In 1892 Mr. Leedham was married to Blanch Leffingwell. of Lyons, an accomplished lady of especial musical talent. To this marriage have been Ix)rn four bright and interesting children. Flarry L.. Helen A.. Donald W. and Margaret W.
Mr. Leedham is well known to the people of Clinton county as an accomplished accountant, a man whose honor and integrity are such that they have absolute confidence in him, and a courteous and accommodating gentleman. His many friends have been deservedly gained on account of his enduring qualities of manhood.
As printed in Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa (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.