BIOGRAPHIES:  John V. LEISENRING, Rice Lake, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  14 January 2004
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John V. Leisenring, proprietor of the Griddle Stove Shop, Rice Lake, was
born June 19, 1872, in Harpers Ferry, W. Va., son of Benjamin and Isabelle
(Hall) Leisenring, natives of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Leisenring served in
the Union Army during the Civil War, and after his discharge went to West
Virginia, from which state he went to Ellis, Kansas, where he was
proprietor of the Pacific Eating House. He died in February, 1888, and his
wife still lives there. In the family there were six children: Robert,
George, Gideon, Albert (deceased), John V. and Anna. John V. received his
early education in West Virginia and Kansas and his higher training in the
Wesleyan Academy at Salina, Kans. Then he became a call boy in the railroad
round house at Ellis, Kansas. In 1892 he went to Milwaukee, and entered the
employ of the Edward P. Allis Machine Shops, where he learned the
machinists' trade and remained eight years. He returned to Ellis, Kansas,
in 1900 and for three years worked in the railroad shops there. In 1903 he
became traveling salesman for the Majestic Manufacturing Co., of St. Louis,
makers of first class ranges and stoves. He came to Rice Lake in 1915, and
for a year was employed by the West Hardware Co. Then he established his
present business. He devotes his attention exclusively to stoves, handles
various makes and accesories, and does general stove repair work. The place
is located at the corner of North Wilson Avenue, and West Eau Claire
Street, in a building owned by Mr. Leisenring. Mr. Leisenring is of the
type known as a booster. He aims to make his establishment as good a one of
its kind as can be found, a credit to the city, a convenience to his
customers and a source of profit to himself. He is active in public affairs
in the city and county, and is ever alive to every movement which has
forward progress as its object. He is president of the Commercial Club and
in June, 1920, was a leader in the plans which resulted in the notable
pageant held that month. In 1918 he was nominated for the office of
register of deeds but was defeated at the final election. Mr. Leisenring
was married in June, 1899, to Jennie Anderson, who was born Oct. 13, 1873,
and died in March, 1903, leaving one son, Franklin V. He was born April 14,
1900, and was educated in the Rice Lake schools. He enlisted in the Navy in
1918, was assigned to the Aviation Service, and saw active duty with the
Northern Bombing Group in France. Later he served in that country with the
Hoover Relief Committee. He was discharged June 25, 1919, and is now
enrolled in the Naval Reserve forces. He is now a pattern maker in
Milwaukee. John V. Leisenring was married Aug. 18, 1915, to Wilhelmina F.
Price, born April 6, 1876, in Liverpool, England, daughter of William and
Mary (Poole) Price, natives of England, both now deceased. Mrs. Leisenring
was for some time engaged in the printing trade, and now assists her
husband greatly in his business. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.,
1922, pp. 264-265.

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