C. W. Leaning Biography

	This biography appears on pages 998-999 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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C. W. LEANING, a representative of the agricultural interests of South 
Dakota and one of the leading farmers of Yankton county, was born in 
Otsego county, New York, in 1853, and is a son of William and Phoebe A. 
(Thorn) Leaning. The father was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 16, 
1825, and in 1851 was brought to America. He became a resident of New 
York, settling near Cooperstown, and there, when he arrived at years of 
maturity he wedded Miss Thorn. In the year 1867 he came with his family 
to South Dakota, making his way to Denison, Iowa, on the train, thence 
to Sioux City by stage and from there coming up the river on the boat 
"Paragon" to Yankton, thus becoming identified with pioneer interests in 
this section of the state. There they resided in a house with five other 
families for three weeks. On coming to Yankton, Mr. Leaning secured one 
hundred and sixty acres of land, which he entered from the government 
and upon which he built a log house and began the development of a farm. 
Many perils and difficulties were to be borne by the early settlers. Not 
only did they fear Indian attacks, but their crops were destroyed by 
grasshoppers and all the inconveniences and difficulties of pioneer life 
were to be met. Mr. Leaning, however, persevered in his work until he 
attained success, becoming the owner of a valuable property here. At. 
the time of the Civil war he strongly advocated the Union cause and 
joined the army. In 1863, while in his tent, he was wounded and lost one 
of his fingers. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and a genial gentleman of sterling worth, having the warm regard of many 
friends, taking pride not only in the progress of his own affairs but 
did everything in his power to aid in the development and upbuilding of 
his country. He died in February, 1903, while his wife passed away in 
November, 1902, and thus the country lost two of its most honored 
pioneers and valued citizens. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leaning were born four 
children: Elsie A., Mary., C. W., and Alice, but the last named is now 
deceased. The daughter Elsie became the wife of George W.. Owens and 
unto them have been born three children, of whom one died in infancy, 
while the son, Chauncv, and the daughter, Mary Alice. are yet under the 
parental roof. Their son loyally espoused the cause of his country in 
the Spanish-American war and became a member of Company C. First 
Regiment South Dakota Volunteers. He went as far as San Francisco and 
was there taken ill, after which he was sent home. He joined the army in 
May and returned in September. He was sergeant of his company and was 
popular with his comrades. An enterprising young business man of Yankton 
county, he is now engaged extensively and successfully in the poultry 
business, making a specialty of raising and breeding Plymouth Rock 
poultry.  

C. W. Leaning spent his boyhood and youth in the Empire state and 
acquired his education in the public schools there. With the family he 
came to the west and has since carried on general farming in this 
portion of the country, becoming one of the successful and leading 
agriculturists of the community. He is now the owner of forty acres of 
good land, all of which is under cultivation and returns to him very 
desirable crops because of the care and labor he bestows on it. He has 
lived here since the days when antelopes were seen on the prairie and 
when there were many wolves and wild game.  

On the 23d of May, 1892, Mr. Leaning was united in marriage to Miss 
Minnie E. Batchellor, a daughter of Watson and Elizabeth Batchellor, 
natives of Illinois. The father was a farmer and carpenter. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Leaning were born four children, a little boy, Mary A., Byron C. 
and Phebe, of whom all but the youngest died in infancy. Mrs. Leaning 
died in September, 1899, and Phebe, a girl of seven, is now with her 
father and aunt, Mrs. Owens, at the old home.  

In his political views Mr. Leaning is an earnest Republican, 
keeping well informed on the issues of the day and giving his earnest 
support to his party. He belongs to the Congregational church, with 
which he has been identified since his removal to the west. Mr. Leaning 
also belongs to Modern Woodman Camp No. 1557, and in matters of 
citizenship is public-spirited and progressive, taking an active 
interest in everything pertaining to the upbuilding of his community.