William H. Leedy

As printed in 1912

WILLIAM H. LEEDY.

One of the enterprising business men of Knox county is William H. Leedy, of Ankenytown, one of our worthy young native sons whose labors have been directed to successful ends in the land of his forbears, with which he has ever been quite contented. He has led a quiet life and his integrity has always been unassailable. He is one of the representative men of his community, with no ambition for anything but the sphere of a private citizen, and his many friends hear willing testimony to his amiable qualities and sterling characteristics.

Mr. Leedy was born at Ankenytown. Ohio, on March 10, 1873. He is the son of Joseph A. and Elizabeth ( Keiser) Leedy, the father born in Pennsylvania in 1825, and the mother in Richland, near Mansfield. Ohio, in 1834. When five years old, in 1830, Joseph A. Leedy was brought by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, and located at Ankenytown, where he grew to manhood and married in that vicinity, and there he took up farming for a livelihood; and, prospering through hard work and close application, he became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, and was for years regarded as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of his community. He led a retiring life, devoting his attention to his farm and family, manifesting little interest in public affairs. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom William H., of this sketch, was the tenth in order of birth. They are all grown, married and have families of their own. The death of the father occurred in 1902 and the mother died in 1906.

William H. Leedy, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he assisted with the work during his boyhood days, and attended the district schools near his home. Early in life he began farming, which he continued successfully until 1901, when he entered the mercantile business at Ankenytown, near the station, having bought a stock of goods there He started off successfully in his new field, but subsequently sold out, and in 1906 built a store house, eighteen by forty feet, and here he has since conducted a general store, carrying a large and carefully selected stock of goods, and has enjoyed an ever-increasing trade, his customers coming from a wide radius of territory in this part of the county.

Politically, Mr. Leedy is a Democrat and has been more or less active in party affairs. He has served his township as assessor and treasurer in an able and praiseworthy manner. Fraternally, he belongs to the Maccabees, and in religious matters he and his wife are members of the Brethren church.

Mr. Leedy was married on January 27, 1901, to Belle Guthrie, a native of Ankenytown, having been born just south of here, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education She is the daughter of John and Rachael Guthrie, the father a native of Pike township, Knox county.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leedy, named as follows: Florence, Robert, John.

As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.