J. Martin Leffel

As printed in 1902

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 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.