Henry Leffel

As printed in 1902

HENRY LEFFEL.

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 A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.