In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1853, Hampshire County
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908)
JOHN W. LEATHERMAN, one of German Township's representative agriculturists, resides on his well cultivated farm of sixty acres, which is situated on the Springfield-Northampton Turnpike Road, about four miles northwest of Springfield. He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, June 26, 1853, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Shoskey) Leatherman.
The parents of Mr. Leatherman came from West Virginia to Clark County, Ohio, when he was eighteen months old, and settled on a farm about nine miles northeast of Springfield, on the old Major Hunt place. The father rented that farm for two years and then moved to the neighboring one belonging to Nathan Trotter, which he rented for ten years, moving from there to one on the Yellow Springs Turnpike. This farm belonged to John Perrin, and one year later they moved to a farm two miles north of Clifton, and from there a vear afterward to the James Anderson farm, and thence to Dr. Marquart's fai'm, near Osborn, on which they lived i'or eight years. Their next move was to the Jolm Harris farm, near Dayton, where the mother died. The father and sons had worked the various farms up to this time, but from that time on up to the time of his marriage, John W. Leatherman worked by the month. After that event he rented a farm in Pike Township, on which he lived for five years, and in 1886 he bought and moved on to his present farm, which he has continued to improve up to the time of this writing. He has done a large amount of tiling and fencing and some clearing, and has remodeled the residence, and in 1904 he built a new barn, the dimensions of which are 40 by 50 feet. He takes an interest in his surroundings, and his improvements each year add value to his place.
In 1881 Mr. Leatherman married Mary E. Dresher, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Siefreid) Dresher, who was born south of Springfield, in Clark County. Their oldest child died in infancy. The survivors all are at home, namely: Otho, Kolland and Raymond, twins, and Irven. Mr. and Mrs. Leatherman are members of the German Baptist Church.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.