Samuel Leer
One of the finest stock farms in Liberty Township, on section twenty, has been in the possession and under the enterprising management of Samuel Leer for the past quarter of a century. His neighbors testify as to his efficiency as a farmer, who makes his business pay, and yet does not fail to provide liberally for the comforts and attractive things of life. The Woodlawn Farm, as his estate is called, is run on a system, pays generous returns on capital and labor invested, and is a home for the family which through many years have enjoyed the highest personal esteem.
Though he has spent practically all his life in Grant County, Samuel Leer was born in Fayette County, of this state, August 21, 1862. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Williams) Leer. The father was a native of Kentucky, while the mother was born in Fayette County, Indiana. Samuel Leer, Sr., moved from Kentucky to Fayette County when a boy, was married in Fayette, and in 1863 transferred his home to Grant county, locating on a farm in Green Township, one mile east and half a mile south of Point Isabel. He had owned a farm in Fayette County, and selling that he invested the proceeds in two hundred and sixty-nine acres in Green Township, and that continued to be his home until his death in 1876. The mother is still living, having her home in Marion. There are six children now living: Mary J., wife of John A. Jackson; Lydia, wife of Luther T. Hale of Marion; William, who lives on the old homestead in Green Township; Malinda, wife of Alfred Fay Kemmer of Liberty Township; Samuel; and Charles, of Green Township.
One year of age when the family came to Grant County, Samuel Leer was reared onteh old homestead in Green Township, and while a boy there spent his winters in the district schools. He continued alternately between farm and school until he was seventeen years of age. He then remained at home, assisting in cultivating the farm, under general supervison of his widowed mother, until he was twenty-four years old.
He was then married to Laura B. Cavault. She was born and reared in Green Township. Their two children are: Fred E., a graduate of the common schools and formerly a student in the Marion Normal, now engaged in farming in Liberty Township; Anna L., wife of Fred M. Elbert, and she is also a graduate of the local schools. They have twin girls, Maxine and Pauline. Mrs. Leer died in 1891. Later Mr. Leer married Sarah J. Cavault, a daughter of Jared Cavault. Their one child is Wayne E., born June 5, 1897, and a graduate of the common schools, and having already completed two years in the Fairmount academy.
Mr. Leer moved to his present farm in 1888. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, located five miles west of Fairmount, and it easily ranks among the best farms in the township. Mr. Leer is affiliated with the Point Isabel Lodge, I.O.O.F., and is a past noble grand. Both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, at Hackelman, and both she and her husband are members of the Grand Lodge of the state. In politics Mr. Leer is a Democrat. As a farmer he does much in the stock business. He buys cattle by the carload, ships them to his farm, prepares for market, feeding his own corps, and buying much besides, and when his steers are ready for market, he ships direct to Buffalo, New York.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner