Bio-Leonard, Eli

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Eli Leonard
(1831-1899)

Eli Leonard was born on July 1, 1831 in Fayette County, PA, the eldest son of Benjamin and Sarah (Harbaugh) Leonard.

Eli married Catherine Dean (1838-1914). They had 11 children -- Thomas Newton Leonard, Charles W. Leonard, Amos "Walter" Leonard, Cyrus W. Leonard, Sarah E. Smith, John Leonard, Ewing Leonard, Mattie Woosley, Margaret "Maggie" Clutter and George Leonard.

When the federal census was taken in 1860, Eli and Catherine and their two eldest sons made their home in Farmington, Fayette County. Eli's occupation was given as "cooper."

By 1870, the census shows that they lived near Fayette Springs, a short distance from what is now Chalk Hill, Fayette County. Eli labored as a farmer. Their next door-neighbor was Eli's distant cousin James and Sarah (Walters) Minerd Sr. and family. As well, among the other residents of Fayette Springs of that era was another cousin, Samuel and Rebecca (Smalley) Minerd, who ran the famed Fayette Springs resort, a short distance over the hill from the National Turnpike (today US Route 40). The resort was nestled alongside a country road about a quarter mile south of Chalk Hill, Fayette County, and was famed for providing guests with natural mineral waters to cure their ills.

He is mentioned in Franklin Ellis’ 1882 book, History of Fayette County. He lived in Wharton Twp., and his home was along the famed “Old Braddock Road” in the “Burnt Cabin … about one mile [east] of the … old Inks tavern…."

The 1880 census shows a full house of Leonards residing in Stewart Township -- Eli and Catherine and their eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 23. Also in their home that year was 17-year-old nephew William Leonard. Adopting the livelihood of his brothers Christmas and Reuben, Eli worked that year as a "chair maker."

Bird's eye view of crowded Wilkinsburg

Later, Eli resided in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh. Their home was on Susquehanna Street, the same street where a distant cousin, Rev. Isaac Herschel Minerd -- president of the first Minerd Reunion -- would make his home within a few years.

Eli passed away in Wilkinsburg on July 17, 1899, at the age of 68. The Uniontown Daily News Standard reported that his "corpse" was brought to “Taylor’s church for interment.”

Catherine lived initially as a widow in Wilkinsburg with her married daughter and son in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter and their children. The census of 1900 shows the family under one roof, along with Catherine's son John and grandson Elmer Leonard.

As she aged, Catherine moved to West Brownsville, Fayette County. She died there at age 76 on June 25, 1914. Her obituary in the Uniontown newspaper said “She was a lifelong resident of this town and was among its best known citizens.” Her funeral was held at the home of her son Cyrus, and she was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Washington County, PA.

Their grown children resided in the following places circa 1914: Charles “near the toll gate above West Brownsville,” PA; Cyrus in West Brownsville; Thomas near Farmington, PA; Sarah Smith in Smithfield, PA; Margaret Clutter in Wilkinsburg; Mattie Woosley in Homestead Park, PA; Walter in Pittsburgh; John in Chicago; and George in Erie, PA.

Son Thomas Newton Leonard (1858-1922) married Mary B. (?) (1858-1938). They resided along the National Turnpike, now US Route 40, three miles east of Farmington. They had two children -- Orpha Harford of Uniontown and Bessie Sullivan. At the death of Thomas in 1922, his newspaper obituary said he was "a highly respected citizen of the community having been the local blacksmith for the past 30 years." He was buried in Belle Grove Cemetery (now Irwin Memorial Cemetery) near Ohiopyle. Mary outlived him by 16 years. She passed away in 1938, and rests beside Thomas.

Son Charles W. Leonard (1859- ? ) lived in 1914 "near the toll gave above West Brownsville," Fayette County, reported a newspaper.

Son Amos "Walter" Leonard (1862- ? ) lived in Pittsburgh in 1914.

Daughter Sarah E. Leonard (1863- ? ) married (?) Smith. They made their home in Smithfield, Fayette County in 1914.

Son John D. Leonard (1866- ? ) was married and divorced by the age of 34. In 1900, he and his apparent son Elmer lived in the Wilkinsburg home of John's married sister and brother in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter. That year, he had no occupation. By 1914, he had moved to Chicago, Cook County, IL.

Son Ewing Leonard (1869- ? ) is lost to history.

Daughter Mattie Leonard (1871- ? ) wed (?) Woosley and in 1914 resided in Homestead Park, PA.

Daughter Margaret "Maggie" L. Leonard (1873- ? ) married Robert V. Clutter (1870- ? ) in about 1893. They had at least six children -- John L. Clutter, Grace M. Clutter, Mary Rebecca Clutter, Samuel D. Clutter, Margaret O. Clutter and Robert V. Clutter Jr. The 1900 census shows the family making its home in Wilkinsburg, on Susquehanna Street, where Robert was employed as a "telephone line man." By 1910, they had moved to a new residence on Hermitage Street in Pittsburgh, with Robert in the position of foreman at the telephone company. The 1920 census shows them on Herr Street in Pittsburgh, Robert again laboring as a line man with the telephone company, and daughters Grace employed as a stenographer with a jewelry company and Rebecca as a stenographer with the "government." By 1930, still living on Herr Street, the Clutters lived next to their married son John.

Son John L. Clutter (1895- ? ) married Mary (?) (1894- ? ). Their children were Robert Clutter, John Clutter, Mildred Clutter, Margaret Clutter and Essie Clutter. John was employed as an engineer with an air reduction company in 1930.
Son Robert V. Clutter Jr. (1910- ? ) worked as a laborer in a machine shop in Pittsburgh in 1930.

Son George Leonard (1878- ? ) made his home in Erie, PA in 1914.