BIO: Samuel LEONARD, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 338.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  SAMUEL LEONARD, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, in 1843. He is the son of James 
W. and Martha E. (Irwin) Leonard. James W. Leonard, father of Samuel 
Leonard, was born near Donnally Mills, Perry county, Pa. He was a 
farmer, a man of commanding presence, tall and well formed. About 1840 
he moved to Huntingdon county. Mr. Leonard was a member of the 
Republican party. He was married in Cromwell township, to Martha E. 
Irwin, who was a native of Huntingdon county. Samuel was their only 
child.
  Samuel Leonard spent his youth on the farm and attended the public 
schools. When he was sixteen he learned blacksmithing with P.H. Davis, 
in Fulton county, Pa., remaining with him for one year. In 1860, Mr. 
Leonard went to Cromwell township, and for two years and a half, farmed 
for Samuel Bolinger. After working in the mines at Rock Hill for five 
months, Mr. Leonard enlisted at Harrisburg, July 27, 1864, in Company 
K, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was credited to 
Berks county. The regiment was sent to the front and took part in many 
skirmishes. Mr. Leonard was mustered out at Harrisburg, August 8, 1865. 
Returning to Cromwell township he resumed farming on the Irwin place. 
For one year he rented and then bought his present home of eighty-three 
acres, where he has erected a large comfortable dwelling. Mr. Leonard 
is a staunch Democrat. He has held various township offices, having 
served as school director for fifteen years, as assessor for six years 
and as auditor for one term.
  Samuel Leonard was married in Cromwell township, August, 1862, to 
Hannah M., daughter of William and Margaret (Jones) Gilliland, born 
March, 1842. Their children are: Martha Laura, living in Harrisburg; 
James M., at home; Joseph C., a merchant in Pittsburg; Ida B., in 
Harrisburg; John A., at home; Mary Emma, at Harrisburg; Thomas C., at 
home; Howard, at home; and William G., also at home.