Harry Leonard
Harry Leonard was born December 17, 1865, in Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio, being the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Leonard, who were among the early settlers of Delaware County. Jonathan Leonard was born February 5, 1820. and came to this county from Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1826. He was engaged in the occupation of merchant tailoring for eighteen years. In 1855 he engaged in farming and for nearly one-half of a century lived on the well-known farm in Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio. In 1890, on account of advanced age. he retired from the farm and has since lived in the city of Delaware. Ohio, retiring from active business.
Elizabeth Leonard is a daughter of one of the well known and pronounced advocates of the abolition of slavery, and the sister of three brothers who engaged in the war for the settlement of the difficulties between the north and the south. Both parents have been deeply interested in public affairs and the welfare of their children.
Thus the early years of Harry Leonard were spent under the kind and parental care of his parents on the farm. His education began in the district school of his neighborhood, subsequently he attended the Normal school at Ada. Ohio, and spent several terms at the Ohio Wesleyan University. He read law in the offices of Judge McEIroy and F. A. Owen and was admitted to the bar in June. 1899, passing with a grade above the average, and after receiving his diploma at once engaged in the practice of law at his present location. No. 52½ North Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio. In 1906 Mr. Leonard was admitted on examination to practice law in the United States Courts as solicitor attorney and counselor-at-law and proctor and advocate in admiralty. Mr. Leonard is an ardent Republican in politics, having served six years as justice of the peace in the City of Delaware. Ohio, is a careful and accurate thinker, a student of public and private affairs, a man of the strictest integrity and one whose moral character is without reproach. Ever since Mr. Leonard was seventeen years of age he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been actively engaged in Sabbath school work, acting as president of Brown Township Sabbath School Convention for several years and cunty secretary of Sabbath school work.
On June 15, 1905. Mr. Leonard was married to Ruth I. Baker, who for many years was a teacher in the public schools of Delaware, Ohio. They have a happy and beautiful home at 444 West William Street in the city of Delaware. Ohio, and are the parents of one child—Georgia E.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908
Harry Leonard is a native of Delaware County, Ohio. He was born in Brown Township, December 17, 1865, and is the son of Jonathan Leonard and Elizabeth Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard were the parents of four children. Dr. W. N. Leonard was an elder brother of the subject of this sketch. He lived and practiced medicine in this city lor many years. Harry Leonard spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Brown Township, where he received his early education in the public schools in the Eden School District. After he had completed his course in the public schools he attended college at Ada, Ohio, and afterward the Ohio W'esleyan University at Delaware. Ohio. He began the study of law under the tutorship of Frank A. Owen of Delaware, Ohio, and completed his course under Judge C. H. McElroy. and was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, June 6, 1899. August 1, 1899, he opened an office in Delaware, where he has continued the practice of his profession with flattering prospects for success. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace in the year 1901 for Delaware Township, and was re-elected to succeed himself in 1904. and has just completed his second term. During the six years Mr. Leonard held this office of justice he tried seven hundred and sixty-four cases, many of which were taken to the Common Pleas Court on appeal or error and only six cases which were carried up were modified and but two were reversed. Mr. Leonard was also admitted to practice in the Federal Courts of the United States on examination by the Circuit Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on December 4, 1906, at its session held in Columbus, Ohio.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing