David Wallace Leisure
Among those citizens of Grant County, Indiana, who have made a success in agricultural lines, may be mentioned David Wallace Leisure, of Sims Township. Mr. Leisure is a native of this State and has lived practically all of his life in Grant county, where he has gained many friends during his long years here. He comes of farming stock and has worthily upheld the traditions of his family by making a success in this line himself. He is not only prominent as a farmer but has also taken a keen interest in public affairs and has served his township in more than one capacity.
Mr. Leisure was born in Hancock County, Indiana, on the 25th of July, 1855. His father was Ben Leisure, whose birth took place in Kentucky. The latter removed from Kentucky to Rush County, Indiana, in his young days and there met and married Miss Martha A. Loer, who was a native of Ohio. she died in Rush County in 1856, her little son, David, being only a year old. One other son was born of this union, Oliver A., who is a farmer and miner of Arizona. After the death of his first wife Mr. Leisure married again in Grant county and lived in this county until his death.
David W. Leisure lived in Rush County until he was twelve years of age having gone there with his father just before the death of his mother who died in Rush County. He then came to Grant county, Indiana. Here he attended school, receiving a good common school education. He remained with his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age when he began farming for himself. With the exception of the time which has been required for the performance of his duties in public offices he has devoted himself ever since to farming. He now owns eighty acres of land, this being located a mile west and a half mile north of Swayzee, Indiana. Mr. Leisure also owns stock in the Sims Telephone Company.
A stanch Democrat in politics Mr. Leisure has served his party well. He is at present a member of the Township Advisory Board and for four years he served as Deputy Assessor of Sims Township. His father served as Trustee of Sims Township for twelve years. Mr. Leisure has taken an active and prominent part in the affairs of the various fraternal societies of which he is a member. He is a member of the Independent Order of odd Fellows, is a Past Nobel Grand in the order and has been a member of the Grand Lodge three times. He is also a member of the Red Men and has been in their Grand Lodge twice. In the first mentioned fraternity he belongs to Swayzee Lodge No. 625.
On the 28th of March, 1878, Mr. Leisure was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Maple, of Sims Township, this Township being her birthplace and the scene of her childhood and girlhood. It was directly after his marriage that Mr. Leisure settled on the farm where he has lived ever since. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leisure:
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Eva L., after being graduated from the public schools, taught four terms of school and then married Charles E. Knote of Wayne County, Indiana. They have two children, Horace L. and Harold Thayer.
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Ross W., a graduate of the grammar school of the township, married Ora L. Curless and lives in Wabash County, Indiana. They have two children, Edgar C. and Marine Delight.
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Clyde B., after being graduated from the common schools and from the Swayzee High School, attended the University of Indiana for one term and then taught eight terms of school. He is married to Verna Sheek and lives in green Township, Grant County.
Mrs. Leisure is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sims, Indiana.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 1321-22.