Eli Leonard was born on July 1, 1831 in Fayette County, PA, the eldest son of Benjamin and Sarah (Harbaugh) Leonard.

Eli married Catherine Dean (1838-1914), the daughter of Steven Dean of Fayette County.

They had 11 children -- Thomas Newton Leonard, Charles W. Leonard, Amos "Walter" Leonard, Cyrus W. Leonard, Sarah E. Smith, John D. Leonard, Ewing Leonard, Mattie Woosley, Margaret "Maggie" Clutter and George Leonard.

When the federal census was taken in 1860, Eli and Catherine and their two eldest sons made their home in Farmington, Fayette County. Eli's occupation was given as "cooper." 

By 1870, the census shows that they lived near Fayette Springs, a short distance from what is now Chalk Hill, Fayette County. Eli labored as a farmer. Their next door-neighbor was Eli's cousin James and Sarah (Walters) Minerd Sr. and family. As well, among the other residents of Fayette Springs of that era was another cousin, Samuel and Rebecca (Smalley) Minerd, who ran the famed Fayette Springs resort, a short distance over the hill from the National Road turnpike (today U.S. Route 40).  The resort was nestled alongside a country road about a quarter mile south of Chalk Hill, Fayette County, and was famed for providing guests with natural mineral waters to cure their ills.

He is mentioned in Franklin Ellis’ 1882 book, History of Fayette County. He lived in Wharton Township, and his home was along the famed “Old Braddock Road” in the “Burnt Cabin … about one mile [east] of the … old Inks tavern…."

The 1880 census shows a full house of Leonards residing in Stewart Township -- Eli and Catherine and their eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 23. Also in their home that year was 17-year-old nephew William Leonard. Adopting the livelihood of his brothers Christmas and Reuben, Eli worked that year as a "chair maker."

Later, Eli resided in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh. Their home was on Susquehanna Street, the same street where a distant cousin, Rev. Isaac Herschel Minerd -- president of the first Minerd Reunion -- would make his home within a few years.

Eli passed away in Wilkinsburg on July 17, 1899, at the age of 68. The Uniontown Daily News Standard reported that his "corpse" was brought to “Taylor’s church for interment.” Many generations would go on to follow him in eternal rest under the Taylor Cemetery sod.

Catherine lived initially as a widow in Wilkinsburg with her married daughter and son in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter and their children. The census of 1900 shows the family under one roof, along with Catherine's son John and grandson Elmer Leonard.

As she aged, Catherine moved into the home of her son Charles in West Brownsville/Centerville, Washington County. She endured an accidental fall in early June 1914 which led to pneumonia. 

Some 22 days after her accident, she died at Centerville, Washington County, at the age of 75, on June 25, 1914. Her obituary in the Uniontown newspaper said “She was a lifelong resident of this town and was among its best known citizens.” Her funeral was held at the home of her son Cyrus, and she was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Washington County, PA. Her son Charles, of West Brownsville, signed her death certificate.

Their grown children resided in the following places circa 1914: Charles “near the toll gate above West Brownsville,” PA; Cyrus in West Brownsville; Thomas near Farmington, PA; Sarah Smith in Smithfield, PA; Margaret Clutter in Wilkinsburg; Mattie Woosley in Homestead Park, PA; Walter in Pittsburgh; John in Chicago; and George in Erie, PA.

~ Son Thomas "Newton" Leonard ~ 

Son Thomas "Newton" Leonard (1858-1922) was born in January 1858. 

When the federal census was taken in 1880, the 23-year-old Thomas was unmarried and resided with his parents.

In about 1884, when he was 26 years of age, Newton married 26-year-old Mary Brown Sproul (1858-1938), daughter of William and Ann (Williams) Sproul. While her father was a native of Fayette County, her mother had been born in Kentucky.

They resided along the National Road, now U.S. Route 40, three miles east of Farmington. Thomas was a longtime blacksmith and farmer. In the mid-1890s, Newton acquired several tracts of land from his father in law, situated along the road and comprising 13.5 acres. They also owned a 26-acre tract purchased from George and Mary Ann Reader. The home farm contained a seven-room frame dwelling house, a frame stable, an old frame building utilized as a blacksmith shop and an orchard.

They had three children -- Orpha Harford, Bessie Sullivan and Effie Leonard. Sadly, little Effie is believed to have died sometime in the late 1890s, of causes not yet known.

The federal census of 1900 shows the family living in Farmington with Newton's occupation listed as "farmer." The census-taker recorded that Mary had borne three children, of whom two were alive at the time. 

By 1910, Newton's primary income was derived from his own blacksmith shop in Farmington. That year, 17-year-old George Sullivan boarded under their roof as a hired man to assist with the family farm. George later married the Leonards' daughter Bessie.

Suffering for two years from an affliction of inflamed kidneys, Newton died at age 64 on Oct. 8, 1922. His obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said he was "a highly respected citizen of the community having been the local blacksmith for the past 30 years." He was buried in Belle Grove Cemetery (now Irwin Memorial Cemetery) near Ohiopyle. His daughter in law Bessie Sullivan of Farmington signed his official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

Mary outlived him by 16 years, and made her final home at 183 Liberty Street in Uniontown. She endured heart trouble and passed away at age 79 on Jan. 21, 1938. 

Daughter Orpha D. Leonard (1890- ? ) was born in February 1891 in Farmington. In about 1908, when she was unmarried and about 18 years of age, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie Leonard. Then, at the age of 20, on New Year's Day 1911, she was united in matrimony with 22-year-old Caleb Henry Harford (1888-1955), son of William N. and Susan (Garlick) Harford. J. Walter Carpenter officiated. Caleb was the son of William N. and Susan Harford and a resident of McClellandtown, Fayette County at the time of marriage and employed as a teamster. The couple produced four children, Belva B. Marchando Sargent, twins Alvin N. Harford and Melvin N. Harford, and Caleb L. Harford. Tragedy struck twice over the span of 10½ months in 1913-1914.  At a time when the family dwelled in Edenborn, German Township, Fayette County, twin son Melvin died on June 5, 1913 at age 8 months, 13 days of cholera and indigestion. Then after a move to McClellandtown, German Township, twin Alvin's lungs filled with blood and he expired of pneumonia on April 28, 1914. Their tender remains were placed into eternal rest in the Church Hill Cemetery in or near Masontown. This family has not yet been located in the 1920 census. The Harfords' marriage was troubled, and Orpha accused Caleb of "running around with other women," reported the Uniontown Morning Herald. He allegedly beat her and "on one occasion she said he struck her because she asked him for 35 cents." He left the family and moved to East Millsboro, Washington County, PA. She filed for divorce and it was granted in November 1921. In July 1920, while living in Brownsville, she took her children Belva and Caleb to the Sproul family reunion held on the old homestead near Ohiopyle, Fayette County, and was mentioned in a related article in the Uniontown Morning Herald. By 1922, her home was in Pittsburgh and in 1927 was in the coal mining patch town of Republic, Fayette County. At the age of 37, in July 1927, Orpha married for a second time to John "Jack" McLuckie (1879- ? ), also of Republic. (An alternate spelling of his surname is "McCluckey" and "McLucky.") John was a longtime coal miner whose parents were immigrants from the British Isles. Their home in 1930 was in Republic. Orpha is known to have attended the Leonard-Sproul family reunions in 1935 and 1938. The McLuckies apparently also divorced, and in 1940, census records show Orpha living with her 21-year-old son in the Mt. Oliver section of Pittsburgh, and marked as "divorced." By 1946,  Orpha lived in Farmington and her ex-husband Caleb was in Ohio, although he eventually returned to Uniontown for good. Caleb worked as a coal miner for U.S. Steel Company at Leisenring; married again to Legatha Jane Wilson (1888-1976) and had children Legatha Thompson and Betty Jean Harford. Caleb died at age 67 in Uniontown Hospital on May 28, 1955, with burial in the Church Hill Cemetery, today known as White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, Fayette County.

• Granddaughter Marie Leonard (1908- ? ) was born in about 1908. Nothing more is known about her after 1910.

Fire hall in the steep coal mining town of Isabella, 2023

• Granddaughter Belva B. Harford (1913- ? ) was born in about 1913. She was a young girl when her parents divorced, and she grew up in the household of her mother and step-father in Republic, Fayette County. At the age of 17 in 1930, she and friends spent their Fourth of July holiday enjoying a picnic at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh. As she grew into womanhood, she apparently began spelling her family name "Hartford." On June 19, 1932, at the age of 19, and residing at Isabella, Fayette County, Belva married 23-year-old barber Samuel "Sam" Marchando (1909- ? ). The nuptials were celebrated in the Monongahela Church of God. He was the son of Thomas Marchando of Arensberg. An article in the Uniontown Morning Herald said that "The bride is a graduate of the Redstone Township High school, class of '31. Mr. Marchando is engaged in business at Isabella." The couple had two known children: Patricia Joyce Marchando and Terry Marchando. In August 1937, Belva, Sam and the children joined her mother and brother at a birthday picnic celebration for Mrs. Donald Cuppett at Braddock's Grave landmark. By 1940, the couple had divorced, and Sam continued operating his own barbershop in Isabella. In April 1940, Belva remarried to Jess D. Sargent ( ? - ? ) of Brownsville. She made her residence in 1955 in Houston, TX.

• Grandson Caleb L. Harford (1918- ? ) was born on July 17, 1918. In 1940, when he was age 21, he worked as an automobile mechanic and resided with his mother at 4129 Brownsville Road in Pittsburgh. In 1946, at age 27, he married Margaret "Rita" Mooney (1917- ? ), daughter of pressman William and Margaret (Kiesel) Mooney of Pittsburgh. Their address in 1947 was 1238 Cloverfield Street in Pittsburgh. In 1955, when named in his father's Uniontown Morning Herald obituary, Caleb lived in Pittsburgh. Sadly, a baby son died in childbirth on July 3, 1947 when asphyxiated during labor.

Daughter Bessie R. Leonard (1895-1953) was born three days after Christmas 1895 in Farmington. She married George Sullivan (1893- ? ), son of Lloyd L. Sullivan, whom she apparently met and fell in love with when he boarded in her parents' home circa 1910 as a farm laborer. The Sullivans lived in Farmington and had three known children -- Adeline B. Sullivan, Mildred Sullivan and Mitchell Sullivan. In the early years of marriage and parenthood, Bessie and George lived with her parents in Farmington, with George providing farm work. They eventually moved into Uniontown but maintained a summer home in Farmington. The family is known to have attended a birthday party for Mrs. W.N. Chrise at the  old Sproul homestead near Ohiopyle in July 1920, and also in September 1927 a 67th birthday party for George's father along the National road near Markleysburg, where the Uniontown Morning Herald reported that the "birthday dinner was served on a large table on the lawn." On Labor Day 1935, they went to the third annual reunion of the Leonard-Sproul clans held at the Homer Leonard farm, and in 1938-1939 went to the sixth annual event, held at Ferncliff Park, Ohiopyle, attended by 175 individuals. The federal census of 1940 shows the family living on North Street in Uniontown, with George working as a dealer of lumber used for coal mining pit posts. Having had hypertension for a decade, Bessie suffered a stroke and died two hours later on July 20, 1953. Interment was in the Sansom Chapel Cemetery near Farmington. 

• Granddaughter Adeline B. Sullivan (1915- ? ) was born in about 1915 in Farmington.

• Granddaughter Mildred Sullivan (1919-1997) was born in December 1919 in Farmington. She was twice married. Her first husband was (?) Show ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Ronald Show and Larry Show. Later, she was joined in wedlock with a cousin, John Philip "J.P." Holt (March 12, 1927-2013), son of Charles William and Ethel M. (Herring) Holt of Markleysburg, of the family of Reuben H. and Martha A. (Cunningham) Leonard. See the Leonard biography for more.

• Grandson Mitchell Sullivan (1925- ? ) was born in about 1925. At the age of 15, in 1940, he worked as a pressman in a printing office in Uniontown.

~ Son Charles William Leonard ~

Son Charles William Leonard (1859- ? ) was born in 1859. Following the family trade, Charles is believed to have been a carpenter. 

In about 1880, when he was 21 years of age, Charles married 24-year-old Mary Emma Mayhorn (1856-1928), who was three years older than he. (Her birthdate also has been given as May 13, 1858, shortening the age gap if true.) She was the daughter of Nathan and Bertha (Davis) Mayhorn.

They together produced a brood of eight children, of whom five are known -- James Leonard, Elsie Leonard, Ira Smith Leonard, Elmer Lloyd Leonard and Raymond V. Leonard. Two died young before the year 1910.

When the U.S. Census was made in 1910, he and Mary and their children lived along the Brownsville Pike near the Diamond Coal Works in Centerville, Washington County. That year, Charles earned a living as a carpenter doing "general work" with his widowed mother living under their roof. Their home was described in 1914 as "near the toll gate above West Brownsville," reported a newspaper. 

Centerville, Washington County, PA

Mary fractured her femur on April 12, 1928, and within a week her lungs began to become congested. Her health failed rapidly and she died in Brownsville General Hospital on April 22, 1928, at the age of 69. She rests for all time in Taylor Cemetery.

Charles survived for five more years. He passed on the Fourth of July 1933. 

Son James Leonard (1884- ? ) was born in 1884. At the age of 26, in 1910, he was unmarried and lived at home, working as a car inspector.

Daughter Elsie Leonard (1891- ? ) was born in about 1891. She became a teacher and in 1910, unmarried at age 19, taught in a local public school in or near Centerville, Washington County.

Son Ira Smith Leonard (1892-1939) was born in about 1892. He learned the family skill and in 1910, at age 18, was a house carpenter, likely working alongside his father in and around Centerville, Washington County. At some point, he married Lottie Lilley ( ? - ? ) and moved to Pittsburgh, residing on 1641 Federal Street and continuing his vocation of carpentry. Their known children were Mildred Hainer, Marjorie Devine, Nelson Leonard and Frank Willard Leonard. Tragically, while in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station in Pittsburgh, on the late afternoon of May 30, 1939, Ira suffered a massive heart attack and died. He was 56 years of age. He was interred in Union Dale Cemetery in the city's North Side.

• Granddaughter Mildred Leonard (1914- ? ) was born on May 18, 1914 in Brownsville. She worked as an elevator operator in Pittsburgh and did not marry until she was in her mid-30s, living with her widowed mother on Federal Street. On Nov. 4, 1949, at the age of 35, she was united in holy matrimony with 37-year-old William C. Hainer (1912- ? ). He was the son of John L. and Elizabeth (Carson) Hainer and employed as a candy maker in Pittsburgh.

• Granddaughter Marjorie Leonard (1915- ? ) was born on Oct. 29, 1915 in Brownsville. As a young unmarried woman, she resided with her parents on Federal Street in Pittsburgh. When she was age 21, on May 8, 1937, she was wedded to 23-year-old Donald R. Devine (1914- ? ). The ceremony was performed by Rev. Tracy C. Miller in Pittsburgh. At the time, Donald was a laborer living in Pittsburgh, the son of Francis and Elizabeth (McQuaide) Define. 

• Grandson Nelson Leonard (1917- ? ) was born on April 10, 1917 in Brownsville. He became a truck driver and lived on Pittsburgh's North Side at 1641 Perrysville Avenue. On March 14, 1942, when he was 24 years of age, he married Delores Ford (1920- ? ), daughter of Charles and Ella (Traina) Ford of Pittsburgh. The nuptials were celebrated in Pittsburgh by Rev. J. Dudley Nee. At the time, she earned a living as an elevator operator and dwelled at 320 East North Avenue in Pittsburgh.

• Grandson Frank Willard Leonard (1920- ? ) was born on Sept. 7, 1920. He was involved with elevator construction in Pittsburgh as a young man. When he and his bride both were age 27, Frank married secretary Rosalyn E. Hines (1920- ? ), daughter of Harry J. and Eleanor (Cousins) Hines. The date of their wedding was Oct. 28, 1947.

Son Elmer Lloyd Leonard (1896-1928) was born on April 19, 1896. On July 9, 1917, at age 21, he was united in matrimony with 21-year-old Ethel L. Burton (1896- ? ) of California, Washington County. She was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Kinnear) Burton. The ceremony was performed by the hand of Rev. G.A. Allison at Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV. They are believed to have at least one son, Elmer Lloyd Leonard Jr. They resided in Brownsville, Fayette County. There, he earned a living as a tinner. But on the night of Aug. 28, 1928, he decided to take his own life, and did so with a shotgun blast to the head. He was rushed to Brownsville General Hospital but pronounced dead. His remains were placed into rest in the Taylor Cemetery. After 15 months as a widow, on Nov. 30, 1929, Ethel married again to 26-year-old R.C. Rowe ( ? - ? ), a laborer of West Brownsville. They were wed in Washington, Washington County by alderman John Carmichael.

Son Raymond V. Leonard (1898-1914) was born on Feb. 18, 1898. He was a student. During the late winter of 1914, he contracted a deadly case of pleurisy leading to pneumonia, and he died just five days later. Death occurred in Centerville on March 12, 1914. He was interred in Taylor Cemetery.

~ Son Amos "Walter" Leonard ~

Son Amos "Walter" Leonard (1862-1931) was born on July 9, 1861 in Fayette County. As a young man, he relocated to Mifflin Township near Pittsburgh and earned a living as a miller. Later, he became a realtor.

On Feb. 8, 1887, when he was 24 years of age, Walter married his first wife, 19-year-old Lutitia E. (Sawyer) Kelly (July 8, 1867- ? ). Rev. H.C. Beacom officiated. Lutitia was a native of Maryland, and her parents immigrants from Germany. Because she legally was underage, she received permission in writing from William Strahley of Pittsburgh.

They had five children -- Walter E. Leonard, Ethel May Leonard, Raymond "Earl" Leonard and Homer F. Leonard and one who died before 1900.

In 1899, Walter's office was located at Wood Street and Penn Avenue. Controversy arose in April 1899 when he and contractor William H. Moffit were accused by brass finisher George Dohler of "obtaining $900 under false pretenses," reported the Pittsburgh Press. Walter was placed under arrest in April and found guilty in September. In summarizing the claim, the Press said that "Leonard arranged for the sale of Moffett's property to Dohler, it being represented as free from encumbrances. Dohler destified that he found the conditions not as represented after he had made the purchase. The jury found Moffett not guilty, there being no evidence to show that he was in any way responsible for the representations of Leonard." Seven years later, in June 1906, the Press noted that Walter had been required by the Court of Common Pleas to pay $283 to J.Q.H. Smith.

Walter wedded for a second time on Aug. 29, 1904 to Priscilla Anna (Shoyer) Reinecke (Dec. 20, 1872- ? ), a native of Carroll County, OH. Rev. Charles Lloyd Thurgood officiated. Priscilla had been married and divorced previously, and at the time of her union with Walter dwelled on Center Avenue in Pittsburgh.

Walter got into trouble again in about 1908 when he allegedly drove to a railroad station in Pittsburgh and induced a newspaper boy, Arthur Grannis, to drive away with him, "without cause," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. He was sentenced to jail for 30 days, but later was released when a judge found no evidence to support the complaint, and "it took Judge Shafer about two minutes to order the release of the prisoner."

The federal census enumeration of 1910 shows Walter (marked widowed) and sons Walter, Earl and Homer boarding in the household of Clay and Carrie Reed in Wilkinsburg.

Walter's mental health declined during the 1910s. Sometime prior to 1920 he was admitted to Mayview State Hospital on 1303 Main Street in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, PA. The U.S. census-taker in 1920 listed him as "insane." He remained at Mayview for the balance of his life of more than a decade.

Suffering from chronic heart problems, Walter died at Mayview at the age of 71 on June 8, 1931. Burial was in Allegheny Cemetery.

Son Walter E. Leonard (1890-1948) was born on Feb. 11, 1890. He was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair. In about 1911, when he was age 21, he was joined in wedlock with Susan M. Highberger (1891- ? ). The news of their marriage license application was printed in the Pittsburgh Press. Their one known son was Harry W. Leonard. Circa 1917-1920, the Leonards made a home in Wilkinsburg, at 313 Kelly Street. Walter earned a living as an "extra" station agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Later, the family relocated to Narberth, Montgomery County, PA, where he worked as a railroad transfer agent. Their address in 1948 was 415 Grove Place. Walter was diagnosed with diabetes and, when pneumonia set in in mid-April 1948, he was admitted to Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. There, he succumbed at the age of 58 on April 26, 1948. Interment was in West Laurel Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Susan outlived her spouse by 22 years. She joined him in death in 1970.

• Grandson Harry W. Leonard (1913- ? ) was born in 1913 in Wilkinsburg/Pittsburgh. He is believed to have married Mary K. (1916- ? ) and had a son Melvin Leonard. Evidence suggests that, following in his father's career path, Harry was a railroad station agent, living in Montgomery County, PA in 1935 and in North East, Cecil County, MD in 1940. Circa 1948, when he signed his father's death certificate, Harry resided in Selkirk, NY.

Daughter Ethel May Leonard (1892-1958) was born on Sept. 22, 1892 in Wilkinsburg. She was twice married. Her first husband was John J. Moran (1888- ? ). By 1935, her second spouse was truck driver Richard Edward Stanley (1894-1961), the son of Richard E. and Harriet (Noel) Stanley of Laughlintown, Westmoreland County. Circa 1950, Ethel and Richard resided on Middle Road in Allison Park, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh. His work involved shipments for the electric industry. Afflicted for years with chronic heart and kidney problems, Ethel was admitted to St. Margaret Hospital in Aspinwall, where she succumbed on April 3, 1958 at the age of 59. Her remains were placed into repose in Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh. The widowed Richard soonafter was married to Anna Reymer ( ? - ? ) and continued to dwell along Middle Road. He was felled from a heart attack and died at age 66 on Jan. 20, 1961. Interment was in Allegheny Cemetery.

Son Raymond "Earl" Leonard (1895-1972) was born in January 1895. As a young man, he was employed as a brakeman by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the Wilkinsburg yards. On the fateful day of March 2, 1917, he was badly injured at work "when he fell from a box car," reported the Pittsburgh Daily Post. He "suffered a crushed right hand and lacerations of the face... He was taken to the Columbia Hospital, where the hand was amputated." He continued to work for the railroad despite his disability and was a switch tender in 1940. Evidence strongly hints that he married Lottie C. McDowell (Dec. 16, 1895-1966) of Wilkinsburg, daugher of James B. and Anna (Collins) McDowell -- and that she brought a son to the union, Joseph Price. Earl and Lottie produced two daughters of their own, June Saunders Fawcett Denito and Ellen Beavers Preto. In the mid-1930s, they dwelled at 7232 Finance Street. Circa 1940, they helped raise a grandson, Leonard Saunders. Their address in 1966 was 3656 North Court in Broadhead Manor in Pittsburgh. Sadly, Lottie suffered a heart attack and was admitted to John J. Kane Hospital, where she died at the age of 70 on April 16, 1966. Burial was in Homewood Cemetery. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Two years later, Earl endured more heartache at the untimely death of his married daughter Ellen. He died on Feb. 24, 1972 at the age of 77. The Pittsburgh Press ran a death notice. Earl rests for all time in Homewood Cemetery.

• Granddaughter June Leonard (1915-1997) was born on July 24, 1915 in Pittsburgh. She was married twice. Her first spouse was Grant A. Saunders ( ? - ? ). They lived in Akron, Summit County, OH and were the parents of a son, Leonard Saunders, born in 1935. The couple divorced in Akron on July 6, 1938, with June returning to live with her parents at 7232 Finance Street. At the age of 28, on July 31, 1943, she married a second time to U.S. Coast Guard coxswain Terry Baird Fawcett (Nov. 30, 1913- ? ), son of Clarence Baird and Mabel Edith (Terry) Fawcett of Pittsburgh. Oliver E. Graebner officiated at the nuptials held in Forest Hills. They established a home in San Diego, where she was employed at the San Diego shipyards during World War II. Later still, she was united in wedlock with (?) Denito and returned to Pittsburgh, where she was a legal secretary for the Allegheny County Bar of Law Examiners. After retirement, she relocated to Yuma, AZ. She died in Yuma at the age of 82 on Nov. 1, 1997. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Great-grandson Leonard Saunders (1935- ? ) was born in 1935. His early years were spent in Akron, OH, but he returned to the Pittsburgh region. He married (?) and was the father of David Saunders, Stephen Saunders, Henry Saunders, Frederick Saunders, Steffan Saunders, Matthew Saunders and Hannah Saunders. Circa 1997, he lived on Logan Road in Gibsonia in the city's northern suburbs.

• Homer Leonard

  Granddaughter Ellen Leonard (1920-1968) was born on Jan. 25, 1920 in Pittsburgh. At the age of 17, on March 21, 1937, she first wedded 24-year-old steelworker Louis Beavers (March 5, 1913- ? ), a native of Fayetteville, AR but a resident of Pittsburgh. He was the son of farmers Labe and Lucy (Hall) Beavers. Officiating was alderman Charles F. Papale. The couple were together for about two-and-a-half years until Dec. 19, 1939 when Louis left the home. A divorce was granted in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1944. Then at age 24, on July 24, 1944, she married a second time to 34-year-old Paul F. Preto (Dec. 7, 1908-1992), son of Italian immigrants Anthony and Mary (Caldwell) Preto of Tarentum, PA. The nuptials took place in Erie, PA, led by alderman Thomas M. McCarty, and news of the marriage license application was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. At the time of marriage, Paul worked as a welder for Steel Car Company in Pittsburgh and lived at 5435 Black Street. They were the parents of Paul Preto. Their son is believed to have played football for McKees Rocks High School circa 1963. In 1968, their address was 247 Marlon Street in McKees Rocks near Pittsburgh. Heartache blanketed the family on Jan. 26, 1968 when the 48-year-old Ellen passed away. The Pittsburgh Press published a death notice. Paul outlived his wife by 24 years and moved to Cabot, Butler County, PA. He died on June 27, 1992.

Son Homer F. Leonard (1900-1969) was born on April 15, 1900 in Wilkinsburg. In about 1920, when he would have been 19 years of age, he was joined in holy matrimony with 19-year-old Florence B. Miller ( ? - ? ). The couple produced three children, Wilbur F. Leonard, Arnold W. Leonard and Mildred McHugh. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Leonards resided in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA, living on Lafayette Avenue. There, he earned a living as a "drayman" -- horse drawn wagon deliveryman -- performing a variety of odd jobs. By 1940, they had moved to Sumner Avenue, and Homer's primary occupation had become manager of a garage in Vandergrift. Living in the household in 1940 was lodger Dora Beattie, a waitress in a local hotel. Sometime after 1940, the Leonards relocated to Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA, where he founded H.F. Leonard and Sons Inc. They were members of St. John's Lutheran Church of Kittanning, and he of the Masons lodge in Kittanning. They enjoyed long winter stays in Florida with their married daughter Mildred McHugh and belonged to Christ Lutheran Church of Fort Lauderdale. Their Kittanning address in the 1950s and '60s was at 204 South McKean Street. Homer retired from the business in 1962. After suffering what the Simpson's Leader-Times called "a lingering illness," Homer died at home on May 10, 1969. Florence remained in their home until 1976, when she sold the property to her children for a dollar.

• Grandson Wilbur F. Leonard (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922. He lived in Kittanning in 1969.

• Grandson Arnold W. Leonard (1925- ? ) was born in about 1925. He resided in Ford City, PA in 1969.

• Granddaughter Mildred Leonard (1933- ? ) was born in about 1933 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. She married Charles McHugh ( ? - ? ). They lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1959. They were the parents of Tammy McHugh.

~ Daughter Sarah Ellen (Leonard) Smith ~ 

Daughter Sarah Ellen Leonard (1863-1948) was born on Sept. 25, 1863 in or near Ohio Pyle. 

At the age of 29, on June 28, 1893, Sarah married 31-year-old Robert S. Smith (March 12, 1862-1932), the son of David and Anna (Cromwell) Smith and an immigrant from Belfast, Ireland. Rev. H.F. King officiated at the ceremony held in Uniontown, Fayette County. The couple requested that the news not be published in local newspapers.

Robert had emigrated to America in 1880, at the age of 18, and was naturalized as a citizen in 1885. He had been married previously and brought a daughter to the second union -- Edna May Flynn.

The Smiths produced four children of their own, among them Charles Walter Smith, Lena Virginia Smith, David Albert Smith and Esther Cumley.

At the time of marriage, Robert was a farmer making his home in Wharton Township, Fayette County. The soonafter established a residence in Dunbar, Fayette County. Then in about 1903, evidence suggests that they relocated to Smithfield, Fayette County, where the remained for the balance of their lives. Circa 1918, they dwelled on Middle Street in Smithfield.

Heartbreak blanketed the family when son Charles joined the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I and was sent overseas, only to be wounded in fighting in France. They received a letter from him saying he was doing "finely," but in fact he died a short time later, just two days after the Armistice was signed.

The federal census enumerations of 1920 and 1930 show the family in Smithfield, with Robert marked in the 1920 record as an "invalid." Their unmarried daughter Lena lived in their household during that time.

Robert endured emphysema and bleeding of the lungs and passed away from their effects on Dec. 17, 1932, at age 70. 

Sarah survived for another 16 years after her husband's death.

Suffering from acute kidney disease and hypertension, she died at home in Smithfield at the age of 84 on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 1948. The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that she was survived by four children, one sister, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield, with her funeral service led by Rev. Walter A. Linaberger. [Find-a-Grave]

Above, the Smith home, likely in Smithfield, year unknown. Below: son Charles Walter Smith (center) with fellow soldiers of World War I.

Daughter Lena Virginia Smith (1894-1960) was born on April 25, 1894 in Farmington, Fayette County. She never married and eventually relocated with her parents to a new  residence in Smithfield, Fayette County. Federal census records for 1930 and 1940 show that she did not have an occupation. After the father's death in 1932, she continued to maker her home with her widowed mother. Lena maintained an active social life and is known to have been a guest in the Uniontown home of her friend Anna Cunningham, on Searight Avenue, circa March 1943. Evidence suggests that she endured heart issues for many years and occasionally was hospitalized for treatment. At the age of 66, suffering from heart problems and hypertension, she succumbed on Oct. 6, 1960. A death notice was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard, and a short obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she died "in her home." Rev. Edwin Arthur officiated at the funeral service, held in the residence, followed by burial in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Son Charles Walter Smith (1895-1918) was born on Dec. 5, 1895 in Dunbar, Fayette County. He was of medium height and slender build, with blue eyes and light brown hair. At the age of 21, in 1917, he made his home in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, where he worked as a handyman and laborer for the bridge-building firm Whittaker & Diehl Company. During the late spring of 1917, he was part of a crew erecting a structure in Muhlenberg, Berks County, PA. After World War I broke out, he was required to register for the military draft in June 1917. He eventually joined the U.S. Armed Forces and was placed in Company M, 168th Infantry, 42nd Division. While in action in or near Vittel in the Vosges mountains in northeastern France on Sept. 13, 1918, he was wounded in action. He wrote a letter home to his parents, as reported in the Daily Courier, which said he "was struck in both hips, one being broken. He is doing finely at a base hospital, he says." But the optimism proved premature. Unable to recover, he succumbed on Nov. 13, 1918, just two days after the Armistice. A notice of his death was printed in the Daily Courier. In a very strange twist, the U.S. Census of 1920 lists his name as though he were still living at home with his parents and continuing to earn a living as a bridge builder. But his grave at Mt. Moriah Cemetery is clearly marked and leaves no question. [Find-a-Grave]

Daughter Esther Catherine Smith (1898-1980) was born on Jan. 7, 1898. She wed Army veteran Howard S. Cumley (1893-1967). During World War I, he had served with Company B of the 4th MG Battalion, 2nd Division. They lived at Gans near Uniontown, where Howard earned a living as a laborer. The couple's three known children were Erma J. Fagan, Elsie Ellen Sansbury Potter and Robert L. Cumley. In 1950, Howard was an enamel worker ("engineer") for the Richmond Radiator Company, living in Uniontown. Esther was active with the Circle group of the Calvary Methodist Protestant Church in Uniontown. Howard retired and continued to resided at 47 Lemon Street in Uniontown. Howard died at age 75 in late March 1967 and was laid to rest in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Esther survived for another baker's dozen years. She passed into eternity at the age of 82 in Feb. 1980.

• Granddaughter Erma Juanita Smith (1921- ? ) was born on July 1, 1921 in Gans, Fayette County. As a young woman she moved to Pittsburgh where she worked as a typist and lived at 210 East Stockton Avenue. At the age of 29, in November 1950, she married 48-year-old widower Rev. James L. Fagan (1902- ? ), son of Thomas and Nellie (Gardner) Fagan of Pittsburgh. The couple was 19 years apart in age. The ceremony was performed at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Uniontown, led by Rev. Joseph Wood. James was employed as a field secretary by the Pennsylvania Temperance League. The couple first lived in Pittsburgh. By 1967, their home was in Jersey City, NJ.

• Granddaughter Elsie Ellen Smith (1923- ? ) was born in 1923 at Outcrop, PA. In 1938, as a junior at Uniontown High School, she published a poem in the Uniontown Morning Herald praising Douglass Corrigan, an Irish pilot who had flown across the Atlantic Ocean. Her first husband was (William M. Sansbury, son of Aubry Sansbury of Washington, DC. At the time, William was employed as a security guard with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the nation's capitol. Sadly, the marriage did not last, and the couple divorced with the decree granted in Fayette County Court at #606 December Term 1945. Elsie supported herself doing housework and made her home in Duncannon, Perry County, PA. On June 21, 1947, at a ceremony held in Duncannon, by Rev. Ira J. Kiner, Elsie married her second spouse, 33-year-old John William Potter ( 1914- ? ). He was a carpenter and the son of John and Anna Elizabeth (Johnson) Potter of Wheatfield Township, Perry County. She was in Duncannon circa 1967.

• Grandson Robert L. Cumley worked as a radio operator with WMBS-AM in Uniontown. He studied at the University of Pittsburgh circa 1946.and after graduation was employed by Westinghouse Electric Co. as an electronics engineer. Circa 1962, he was married with three children and resided at Linthieum Heights, MD. They then relocated to Oberlin, OH by 1967.

Son David Albert Smith (1901-1968) was born on Aug. 14, 1901. As with his sister Lena, he never married. David had no occupation at the age of 18, as recorded in the U.S. Census of 1920. His whereabouts in 1930 are not yet known, but he lived away from home. He moved back by 1935, likely prompted by his father's death in 1932. When the federal census enumeration was completed in 1940, the 38-year-old David and his sister Lena were marked in their mother's household, with David's occupation only listed as "new worker." At the age of 47, in 1948, he and Lena are known to have resided with their mother in Smithfield at the time of her death. He was a longtime member of the Smithfield Methodist Church. He passed away suddenly at the age of 66 on Jan. 15, 1968. Rev. C. Smith Hixson officiated at the funeral, with burial in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

Daughter/stepdaughter Edna May Smith ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Flynn. They made their residence in Homestead Park in the late 1940s and in Jersey City, NJ in 1960-1968. Nothing more about her is known.

~ Son John Dean Leonard ~ 

Son John Dean Leonard (1866-1939) was born on Feb. 23, 1866 in Farmington.

He was first married to Rebecca Hurley (1871-1918), daughter of Thomas C. and Henrietta (Carnathain) Hurley. (Was her maiden name "Carnahan?") They were wed in 1889, when John was age 23 and Rebecca 18.

They had one known son, Elmer E. Leonard.

The couple may have separated but never divorced, although the evidence is only sketchy. In 1900, John and his son Elmer lived in the Wilkinsburg home of married sister and brother in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter. That year, he had no occupation. Rebecca made her home under her mother's roof in Baldwin Borough near Pittsburgh, with her single sister Nora and 29-year-old coal miner William White boarding in the residence.

By 1910, husband and wife may have reconciled, as the federal census shows them together in Knoxville, near Pittsburgh, with John employed as a telephone company lineman and Rebecca earning income as a self-employed dress maker. That year, their 19-year-old unmarried son was an electrician in a machine shop.

The marriage may have deteriorated further and by 1914, John had moved to Chicago, Cook County, IL.

Rebecca made her home in Rochester, Beaver County, PA where she lived in 1918. At the time, son Elmer dwelled in Pittsburgh at 3950 Bates Street. 

Sadly, Rebecca was swept away by the influenza epidemic of national proportions. Stricken with the flu, which developed into pneumonia, she was admitted to Pittsburgh's Homeopathic Hospital. She died there on Nov. 8, 1918, at the age of 47. Burial was in Robinson Run Cemetery in Oakdale, Allegheny County, PA.

John returned to Western Pennsylvania and in 1928 resided in West Brownsville, Washington County, PA. There, he was a farmer.

Centerville, PA, John's home in the 1930s

At the age of 62, in August 1928, he married 58-year-old Laura (Chew) Warrell (1868-1956), daughter of Robert and Lydia (Haught) Chew of Centerville. Her first husband had died on May 22, 1912. John and Laura resided along the National Road near West Brownsville.

By the late 1930s, during the iron grip of the Great Depression, he found employment as an assistant cemetery sexton at the Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery -- the family place of worship and burial grounds -- near West Brownsville. Their home in 1939 was along Knob Road in Centerville.

On the fateful morning of March 9, 1939, some two weeks after his 73rd birthday, and while standing beside Route 40 (the National Road), John suffered a massive heart attack. He collapsed and badly lacerated the back of his scalp, dying instantly. The body was laid out in the family home followed by funeral services led by Rev. L.Z. Robinson of the family church. He was placed into rest in Taylor Cemetery. Elsie L. McKim of West Brownsville signed his death certificate. Initially, reported the Charleroi Mail, he was thought to have been a victim of a hit-and-run driver. But deputy coroner Joseph F. Timko provided a review of the corpse and "pronounced death due to heart disease." The Mail added that he had been leading his horse to work that morning. Peter Jollick, who was driving past the scene, stopped and carried John into his vehicle and rushed him to a local hospital, but to no avail.

Laura survived her husband by 17 years, remaining in Centerville. Having endured chronic heart disease, she died at the age of 87 on July 2, 1956. Haddie Ice of West Brownsville was the informant for her official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Burial was in Taylor Cemetery.

Son Elmer E. Leonard (1890- ? ) was born in October 1890. When he was age 19, he worked as an electrician with a machine shop in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh. Later, he made his home in 1918 in Pittsburgh, with an address of 3950 Bates Street.

~ Son Ewing Leonard ~ 

Son Ewing Leonard (1869- ? ) was born in about 1869. 

Ewing is lost to history. He has not yet been located on the federal census of 1900.

~ Daughter Mattie (Leonard) Woozley ~ 

Daughter Mattie Leonard (1870- ? ) was born on April 24, 1870 (or 1873) in Brownsville, Fayette County. As a girl, she moved with her parents and siblings to Wilkinsburg in Mifflin Township near Pittsburgh.

On June 14, 1892, when she was age 22, Mattie was united in marriage with 24-year-old William E. Woozley (1868- ? ) of Hays, Allegheny County. He was the son of Welsh immigrants David and Mary Ann (Lamb) Woozley. At the time, he was a carpenter and resident of Mifflin Township. 

The couple had five children -- David H. Woozley and Willard M. Woozley and three who died young.

For more than half a century, they resided in steel-making communities along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh. They always seemed to have boarders in their home.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Woozleys lived in Mifflin Township near Wilkinsburg, with William working as a grocer. Said the Pittsburgh Press, William "operated a general store in Hays for 40 years." He also served as the census-taker that year and his name is written at the top of the Mifflin Township lists. Living in adjacent households were Mary Woozley and Howard and Alice (Gordon) Woozley.

By 1893, they had relocated to the Hays community, on the east side of Irwin Avenue. Census records for 1900 show William earning a living as a postmaster and merchant.

The census of 1920 shows that the family had moved to their final address, at 117 West Eugene Avenue in Munhall, Mifflin Township. William had changed careers again and earned a living as a coal mine laborer. At some point, he was named postmaster at Hays and stayed in that position for 25 years. In about 1934, during the Great Depression, he was appointed as postmaster at Homestead Park, retiring in September 1940. He also earned additional income circa 1930 as a church janitor in Munhall. 

The Woozleys were longtime members of the Homestead Park Methodist Church. Active in the community, William was a founding member of the Rescue Lodge of the Odd Fellows in Hays and the M.C. Andress Encampment at Homestead. He also was a charter member of the Homestead Park No. 4 Volunteer Fire Department.

William endured chronic illnesses for many years, including heart disease and hardening of the arteries. His health declined precipitously from kidney failure in mid-January 1941 and he died nine days later on Jan. 24, 1941, age 72. Burial was in Homestead Cemetery. 

Having suffered for 27 years with rheumatic heart disease, Mattie was felled by a heart attack and died at home at the age of 83 (or 80). She joined her husband in repose in the Homestead Cemetery. An obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that "she had lived in the Homestead district most of her life...."

Son David "Homer" Woozley (1893-1949) was born on April 18, 1893 at Hays. His occupation was real estate and insurance, and he was self-employed. He married Margaret (1910- ? ). They lived at 4700 Loughean Avenue in Munhall/Hojmestead Park and had two known offspring, David Homer Woozley Jr. and Margaret Louise DeBerry. On July 9, 1949, William suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at home at the age of 56. Interment was in Jefferson Memorial Park.

• Grandson David Homer Woozley Jr.

• Granddaughter Margaret Louise Woozley was born in November 1918. At age 23, she wed Sanford Earl DeBerry Jr. (1916- ? ), son of Sanford Earl and Louise (Gabler) DeBerry. At age 26, he was a mill inspector and lived with his parents at 16 South Wade Street in Washington, Washington County, PA.

Son Howard E. Woozley (1900- ? ) was born in May 1900. Sadly, he died the same year he was born.

Son Willard M. Woozley (1909- ? ) was born in about 1909. He lived in Munhall in the 1940s and '50s. His address in 1941 was 4700 Lougean Avenue at the corner of West Run Road in Homestead Park. As with many local men in the Munhall/Homestead community, he was a steel mill laborer, most likely for the massive U.S. Steel Corporation plant at Homestead.

~ Daughter Margaret L. (Leonard) Clutter ~ 

Daughter Margaret "Maggie" L. Leonard (1873-1945) was born in 1873 in or near Ohio Pyle. 

As a young woman, she was a seamstress, living in Wharton Township, Fayette County. At the age of 19, she married 23-year-old Robert Vance Clutter (1870-1936), of Wall Station, near Pittsburgh, and the son of Samuel and Margaret Clutter. The nuptials were led by Rev. Thomas N. Boyle of Uniontown. 

Robert was a laborer at the time of marriage. His mother was a native of Glascow, Scotland.

The Clutters had at least six children -- John L. Clutter, Robert Vance Clutter Jr., Grace M. Wagner, Mary Rebecca Clutter, Samuel D. Clutter, Margaret O. Clutter and Robert V. Clutter Jr. 

The 1900 United States Census shows the family making its home in Wilkinsburg, on Susquehanna Street, where Robert was employed as a "telephone line man." By 1910, they had moved to a new residence on Hermitage Street in Pittsburgh, with Robert in the position of foreman at the telephone company.

In 1920, the federal census shows them on Herr Street in Pittsburgh, Robert again laboring as a line man with the telephone company, and daughters Grace employed as a stenographer with a jewelry company and Rebecca as a stenographer with the "government." By 1930, still living on Herr Street, the Clutters lived next to their married son John. At some point Robert retired as telephone foreman and received a pension from the telephone company.

Maggie was devoted to her aged aunt, Fannie (Rankin) Leonard, who lived in the Ohio Pyle area. When the aunt turned 79, in January 1930, Maggie sent "a large box of fruit and green vegetables [which] arrived by mail just at the noon hour," reported the Uniontown Daily News Standard. "This formed a center piece for the dinner..." The following year, when the aunt reached her 80th birthday, Maggie and Robert and their son Robert Jr. attended the party, and brought a "delicious" cake. 

Sadly, Robert died in Wilkinsburg on Jan. 3, 1936, at the age of 65. Among the relatives traveling to attend the funeral was Maggie's cousin, Sadie Rush, of Ohio Pyle. His remains were shipped to Frankford Springs for interment.

Maggie lived for another nine years and remained in Wilkinsburg at their home at 3 Herr Street. She spent her final time on earth at Woodville State Hospital in Collier Township, Allegheny County. From the effects of hardening of the arteries, she died at age 73 on Dec. 5, 1945.

Son John L. Clutter (1895- ? ) was born in 1895. He married Mary (?) (1894- ? ). Their children were Robert Clutter, John Clutter, Mildred Clutter, Margaret Clutter and Essie Clutter. John was employed as an engineer with an air reduction company in 1930. 

Son Robert Vance Clutter Jr. (1910- ? ) was born in 1910. He worked as a laborer in a machine shop in Pittsburgh in 1930.

Daughter Grace Clutter married (?) Wagner. In 1936, she lived in Swissvale near Pittsburgh at 7929 Lloyd Avenue.

~ Son George W. Leonard ~ 

Son George W. Leonard (1878-1943) was born on March 17, 1878 in Farmington. 

At the age of 23, in about 1901, George married 21-year-old Verna McMurdy (1880-1962), daughter of James Henry and Anna (Millison) McMurdy. They had one known son, James "Paul" Leonard.

He worked for the Bessemer-Lake Erie Railroad for 31 years and eventually became a station lineman. In 1902, their son was born in West Virginia. At some point prior to 1910 George was transferred to Erie, Erie County, PA and made his home on Market Street in Albion. The federal census of 1910 shows the family living on Thornton Avenue in Albion. 

The family were members of the Albion Methodist Church, and George belonged to the Bessemer-Lake Erie Veterans Association.

George began to become senile in about 1941 and his health went downhill. He was admitted to Warren State Hospital and, after contracting pneumonia, died there 12 days later on Aug. 4, 1943 at age 65. He was interred in Albion. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that his illness had lasted for three months.

Verna lived for more than two decades after George's passing. She relocated to Detroit, where she died on Dec. 11, 1962. Her remains were returned to Albion for interment. 

Son Dr. James "Paul" Leonard (1902- ? ) was born in 1902 in West Virginia. In boyhood, he moved with his parents to Albion, PA. He became a physician and established his medical practice in his hometown of Albion. There, on June 5, 1926, at the age of 24, he was wedded to 24-year-old teacher Dortha M. Salisbury (1902- ? ), daughter of Archie J. and Catherine (Reilley) Salisbury. In 1943, at the death of his father, Paul lived in Detroit and had two children of his own -- Norman Leonard and Kathryn Ann Leonard.