Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Leslie, Thomas 1834 - 1896
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 1:09 am

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

p. 201-202

THOMAS LESLIE.

   It is customary when a life record is closed to review the past and to see
what has been accomplished, giving judgment as to whether the career has been
worthy of commendation. When Thomas Leslie passed away the community felt that
it had lost one of its best citizens, while the family mourned a loving husband
and father and his neighbors a faithful friend. His work was ever along
legitimate business lines and he advanced steadily through persistency of
purpose, unfaltering diligence and unabating zeal.

   Mr. Leslie was a native of Ireland, born on the 14th of March, 1834, his
parents being Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leslie. In 1874 he was joined in wedlock to
Martha E. Baxter, a daughter of John and Margaret (Wells) Baxter. Her father was
born in Lexington, Kentucky, July 4, 1821, and the mother's birth occurred on
the 29th of April, 1824, near Paris, Jefferson county, Indiana. Mrs. Leslie's
grandfather was John Baxter, also a native of Kentucky, while the maternal
ancestors were from Ohio. John Baxter always carried on agricultural pursuits
and died near Hanover, Indiana. Unto John and Margaret (Wells) Baxter were born
seven children: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Bluford Tapp, a farmer; Matilda
J., the deceased wife of Thomas Tapp, who also carried on agricultural pursuits;
Mary A., the deceased wife of James Graham, a blacksmith; John, who married Dora
Slater, and is a farmer and carpenter; Hester, a seamstress living in
Indianapolis; Lou, the wife of Robert Potter, a druggist at Poplar Bluff,
Missouri; and Mrs. Leslie.

   During his boyhood days Mr. Baxter came with his parents to Indiana, the
family settling near Paris. In early life he engaged in hunting and he also
followed the butchering business. In 1865 he removed to this county where he
began working at the butcher's trade and also carried on farming. He engaged in
the latter pursuit until his death, which occurred November 1, 1877. He worked
hard, was persevering in his labors and accomplished much through force of
character and strong determination. At the time of his death he owned a good
farm and valuable town property. In his political affiliations he was a
Republican and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, being active and
earnest in church work. All he did was in harmony with his professions; for he
endeavored to live a life that was guided by the Golden Rule.

   Mr. Leslie was provided with good educational privileges, attending school in
Ireland. After coming to America he engaged in stock dealing. In 1867 he removed
to Elizabethtown, where he became a grain dealer, purchasing grain throughout
the county. His business, therefore, furnished an excellent market to the
producers in this locality and also brought to him a suitable return. He was a
man of firm purpose, of keen foresight and of unfaltering energy and he carried
forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. His business ability and
executive force were widely recognized and proved an excellent foundation upon
which to build" success. He left to his family a valuable estate, his widow
being now the owner of two hundred acres of rich land in Bartholomew county,
together with a large amount of town property. He died August 15, 1896.

   Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leslie were born three children: Willie T., who was born
February 3, 1875, died on the 1st of April, 1899; George T., born May 7, 1885,
is attending school; and Lottie M., born October 6, 1889, is also in school.

   In his political views Mr. Leslie was a Democrat, active in politics and
earnest in support of the men and measures of the party. On two different
occasions he was a candidate for county auditor, but was defeated, and he
laughingly said that a good man was always beaten. He never wavered in his
allegiance to whatever he believed to be right and neither fear nor favor could
turn him from a course which his conscience sanctioned. He belonged to the'
Presbyterian church and was an earnest Christian gentleman, whom to know was to
respect and honor. He had excellent business qualifications, but he never
allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature or to influence him in
his relations with his fellowmen. His activity in business, however, brought him
in contact with a large number of people and all with whom he was associated
either in this way or socially entertained for him warm regard and thorough
respect. He left behind him at his death a large circle of friends to mourn his
loss, while his demise was a very great blow to his immediate family.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/leslie686gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/

File size: 5.4 Kb