Leonardd

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     DIKE LEONARD, who has successfully availed himself of the rare possibilities of fruit culture in the Columbia valley, came to Wenatchee, Chelan county, where he at present resides, at an early day. He is a New Englander, born in Rutland county, Vermont, December 16, 1831. His parents, Thomas J. and Hannah (Dike) Leonard, were both natives of Vermont, whose ancestors took part in the war of the Revolution. The father owned the pioneer iron works of Vermont, where he died, in 1893, age ninety-eight years. The mother died in 1873.
     Our subject secured an excellent education in his native state, where he divided his time between attending school and assisting his father in the iron works. At one period he purchased a farm, and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. As early as 1882 he came west, his health having become precarious, owing to lung troubles, and he first settled at Walla Walla, Washington. He remained there fifteen years, and completely regained his robust constitution. Three years were passed in the vicinity of Badger Mountains, Douglas county.
     In 1893 Mr. Leonard came to Wenatchee, purchased forty acres of land, paying for the same three thousand five hundred dollars, one thousand cash. During the years of financial disaster he managed to pull through safely, while many of his neighbors were ruined. He has one sister, Helen, living in Vermont. On January 13, 1854 Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Abbie Persons, a native of Weston, Vermont, her father, - Stillman Persons, having been born in the same state, as was, also, her mother, Hannah (Buss) Persons. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have one child, Phil, born at Pittsford, Vermont October 20, 1865. The latter is married, his wife having been Julia Wheeler. In politics, Mr. Leonard is a Republican and takes an interest in the campaigns.

BACK