Isaac Leedy

As printed in 1902

REV. ISAAC LEEDY.

From an early period in the development and improvement of Knox county Rev. Isaac Leedy has resided within its borders and has had marked influence upon its material and moral development. He is the minister of the Brethren church in Berlin township and is a man of no restricted influence, his labors having had marked benefit in uplifting moral standards. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1827,

QJuicu2 oZ!ke-c and traces his ancestry back to the land of the Alps, for his great-great-grandfather, Abraham Leedy, came from Switzerland to America, taking up his above in the Keystone state. The grandfather, who bore the same name, was supposed to be a native of Pennsylvania and there he spent his entire life. The father of our subject was the fourth Abraham Leedy and was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1787. After arriving at years of maturity he married Elizabeth Zook, who was born in Bedford county March 26, 1 79 1. The wedding was celebrated February 2, 1812, and they became the parents of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, namely: John, Catherine, Samuel, Jacob, Abraham, David, Daniel and Joseph, all of whom have passed away; Isaac, of this review; Susanna, t'.ie widow of S. P. Dyer; and Aaron, who lives in Richland county. In 1829 the parents removed with their family to Knox county, locating in Berlin township, near the present site of Ankenytown, which was built upon the land that Mr. Leedy owned. He died March 8, 1860, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was a member of the Dunkard church and his earnest Christian life was an example well worthy of emulation. His wife passed away June 24, 1865, in her seventy-seventh year.

Isaac Leedy, whose name introduces this review, was only about two years old when brought by his parents to Knox county in the year 1829. His environments were those of the frontier and with the family he experienced hardship and trials incident to pioneer life, also enjoying pleasures which are otherwise unknown save in frontier settlements. He began his education in a little log school house which stood on the present site of Ankenytown. He was an earnest and thorough student and has al- V. ays been a deep thinker and close reasoner. At the age of eighteen he put aside all his text-books in order to give his entire attention to the work of the home farm.

As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Leedy those Miss Nancy Bostater, the wedding being celebrated December 25, 1851. She was born in Maryland September 30, 1828, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna Bostater, who came to Knox county during her early girlhood. They were the parents of ten children and when the mother died, on the 4th of March, 1866, at the age of thirty-eight years, she left a little babe only four days old. The other children of the family are: Elias, who was born October 10, 1852, and died December 26, of the same year; William, who was born December 15, 1853, and is deceased; an infant daughter deceased; Elizabeth, who was born October 15, 1856, and is the wife of C. D. Martin, of Berlin township; Martha, who was born October 28, 1857, and died January 6, 1858; Caleb, who was born November 21, 1858, and is now a farmer of Berlin township; Hannah, who was born January 1, 1861, and is the wife of Charles O. Miller, of Berlin; Emily, who was born June 17, 1863, and died March 3, 1865; Joshua, who was born September 12, 1864, and died March 7, 1865; and Susanna, who was born March 1, 1866, a babe at her mother's death, and is the wife of B. C. Debolt, of Berlin township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Leedy was again married, on the 23d of October, 1866, his second union being with Miss Lovina Wolfe, who was born in this county

March 16, 1838, a daughter of John and Margaret Wolfe. Seven children were born of this union: Minerva, who was born October 27, 1867, and is the wife of J. C. Hess, of Ankenytown; Noah, who was born October 2, 1870, and died May 16, 1873; Mary E., who was born December 5, 1872, and is the wife of Fred vlerrin, justice of the peace in Morris township; Normanda, who was born June 11, 1875, died November 20, 1879; a son who was born April 15, 1878, and died unnamed; Samuel Alva, who was born July 14, 1879, and is at home; and Verda A., who was born April 8, 1882, and is still under the parental roof.

After his first marriage Rev. Leedy located on the old homestead and lived in the upper story of the old milk house, which was a log building. In 1865 he removed to what was known as the old Trayer farm, and made his home thereon until 1885, when he moved to his present place of residence in Berlin township. He has erected all of the buildings upon this place and he also constructed buildings upon the Trayer farm, including the house and barn. In his farm work he is systematic, persevering and industrious, and thus has become the possessor of a desirable property, but in the midst of his business cares he has found time to devote to the work of the ministry. In the spring of 1859 he was called to the ministry of the Brethren church, and at once began to equip himself for the work, upheld in all his labors by his strong faith and unwavering purpose to exercise his talents for the benefit of the Master's cause. Rev. Samuel Leedy, a brother O'f our subject, was a minister of the Dunkard church at Ankenytown, but taught views more nearly in accord with the New Testament in observance of some of the ordinances, which resulted in his own disfellowship being accompanied by Isaac and several others. A new society was organized in 1859, generally known as "Leedyites," of which the two brothers were the principal ministers. Others who held similar views soon joined them, and several societies were organized in western Ohio and in Indiana. For upwards of twenty-four years Isaac Leedy continued as pastor of the local society, in the meantime giving a great deal of attention to the propagating of the faith. Much dissatisfaction developed among those who had remained in fellowship with the old church and steps were taken to again unite the three branches of the church. At a conference held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1883, the "Leedyites," the Progressive Brethren and the Congregational Brethren affected a consolidation.

Not long after this event Rev. Samuel Leedy removed to Vernon county, Missouri, where he organized a society at Montevallo, of which he became pastor, so remaining until his death, on November 17, 1889, in his seventy-fourth year. His son, Rev. Simon Leedy, succeeded him, and so remains. Since retiring from active pastoral work Rev. Isaac Leedy has continued occasional work in the cause of the Master, his chosen field being mainly of an evangelical nature, and his services are also widely sought to officiate at marriage and funeral services. Reared under the strictest rules of the old Tunker society, he accepted all the teachings and observances as authorized by the Gospels until he united with the church. He soon began careful investigation and study and became a deep and careful Bible student. He has since seldom taken things for granted, but has demanded substantial proof for support of any propositions. He has held to that principle in his own preaching, presenting only such arguments as were substantiated by abundant testimony. With no pretensions at elegance or finished oratory, he possesses such pleasing address, combined with forceful and vigorous language, that few men have exerted more influence in Christian growth and development of the community, and his work has resulted in great good. He resides upon his farm in Berlin township, comprising seventy-seven acres. At one time he had a quarter section of land, but he has rendered substantial assistance to his children. He has served as township trustee and was school director for a number of years but refused other local positions. His life has been one ever actuated by the strictest fidelity to duty and in the work of the church his labors have been of wide spread benefit. His straightforward principles and genuine worth have made his example well worthy of emulation and thus to know Rev. Leedy is to honor and respect him.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.