Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Leonard, Orrin W. 1858 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 19, 2007, 9:25 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

ORRIN W. LEONARD. The labors which have resulted in the present high state of
development of the resources of Tuscola County, have been largely participated
in by Mr. Leonard. He is now the principal general merchant in the thriving
village of Watrousville, where he carries a large stock of general merchandise
and is also the Postmaster of the village. He is a man of excellent habits,
practical and sensible in his views, and methodical as well as enterprising in
the management of his business. His life shows in a striking manner what may be
accomplished by persistence and diligence, as he had no money capital with which
to begin his life's work, but instead was dowered with mental ability, physical
strength and sturdiness of character even more essential.

  The parents of our subject, Jared and Nancy (Wheeler) Leonard, were natives of
New York State, who came to Ohio when quite young and were married in Ashtabula
County. There Orrin W. was born on August 16, 1826. He remained under the
parental roof until he was about twenty one years old, receiving a
district-school education and assisting his father on the farm. Our subject was
a shoemaker by trade, which he followed until 1861. In the meantime he was
married, July 4, 1855, his bride being Miss Louisa Bisbee, a daughter of Abner
A. and Adaline Bisbee, natives of Vermont. Mrs. Leonard was born November 13,
1833, and when a young girl accompanied her parents to Ohio, where she was married.

  Five children came to our subject and his wife, as follows: Eugene W., who was
born May 31, 1856, married Miss Maggie McComb, on August 8, 1886, and they have
two children—Eric W., who was born September 29, 1887, and George E., April 7,
1891. Eugene is engaged in business with his father at Watrousville and is
Deputy Postmaster. Fred B. was born April 19, 1858 and resides in Saginaw; Cora
A., who was born February 15, 1856, is the widow of James A. Bliss, and resides
in Detroit; Mary Bell, born November 10, 1868, married Frank Burdick and they
make their home in Detroit; William O. whose birth occurred August 25, 1874,
died in infancy.

  In 1885 Mr. Leonard removed to Watrousville, buying out Judge Wilder, and has
since been doing a very successful business. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster
by President Harrison and in his dealings with his neighbors has been so upright
and painstaking as to win their confidence and respect. In his political
affiliations he is a strong Republican, and his generous public spirit has been
the means of promoting many schemes to build up Juniata Township and especially
the village of Watrousville. He possesses many fine qualities of head and heart.
Our subject in 1861 went to New York State and remained until 1884 when he came
to Michigan.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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