BIO: Alvin U. LEONARD, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, page 396. _____________________________________________________________ ALVIN U. LEONARD, whose valuable farm of 140 acres is situated in Jordan township, Clearfield county, Pa., on the town line of Ansonville, is one of the enterprising and successful young farmers of this section. He was born at Ansonville, Pa., March 4, 1886, and is a son of John W. and Edith (Swann) Leonard. John W. Leonard was born in Clearfield county and spent his entire life here. He followed lumbering as his main business. He married Edith Swann, who was also born in Clearfield county and now resides at Patton, Pa. She is a daughter of Henry and Lucinda Swann. John W. Leonard was identified with the Republican party but never desired public office although he was a man well qualified to administer in the same. He was a member of the Baptist church. Of his children, Alvin U. is the eldest and the only son, there being four daughters: Helen L., Margaret J., Mary E. and Harriet C. Alvin U. Leonard completed the public school course and then spent one year at Bucknell University, subsequently taking a commercial course at Duff's Business College, at Pittsburg. He then returned home and has devoted himself to farming and stock raising ever since. This property is known as the Henry Swann farm but John W. Leonard bought it about 1885, and at his death, on May 1, 1905, his son purchased it having operated it for three years previously. In his success he has demonstrated the value of an educated man in agriculture, his modern methods and his use of improved machinery bringing about very satisfactory returns. Mr. Leonard was married in January, 1906, to Miss Delilah Deihl, a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Bell) Deihl, and a granddaughter of Benjamin and Mary Diehl and of Frampton and Matilda Bell. The parents of Mrs. Leonard were residents of Bell's Landing, in Greenwood township, where Mr. Diehl followed the blacksmith trade. Mrs. Leonard has one brother, Frank Diehl. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard to whom have been given the names of John W., Thomas F. and Robert H. They attend the Baptist church. Mr. Leonard takes only a good citizen's interest in politics and, like his late father, is identified with the Republican party.