From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1389
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

E. S. LEONARD

   E S Leonard, one of the well known citizens of Rice county who is devoting his energies to farming and stock-raising and whose efforts in that direction result in making him one of the substantial citizens of the community, came west with his father in 1878, when a boy of eleven years.  He was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 14, 1867, a son of John Wick Leonard, a well known citizen of Rice county, now living in Lyons.  The father is a native of New Jersey and in early life went to Ohio, where he was reared to manhood.  After attaining his majority he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Sedan, who was born and reared in New Jersey and Ohio, acquiring her education in the schools of the two states.  She died in 1892.  She was a good wife and mother and a kind neighbor and was loved by all for her kindness of heart and mind.  In the family were four children who are yet living:  C D, a prominent and influential citizen of Wilson township, Rice county; Mrs Altha Hobbs, of Lyons, Kansas; Florence, the wife of Frank Hoyt, of Lyons; and E S, of this review.  They also lost one child, Mary Alice, who died at the age of twenty years.  The mother was a worthy member of the Wesleyan Methodist church and in her life exemplified her Christian faith.  The father is a Republican in his political views, having long supported the men and measures of the party.  He is a harness-maker by trade but through many years has carried on agricultural pursuits.  He is honored and respected by all who know him for his genuine worth of character and fidelity to duty and to principle.

   W S Leonard, whose name forms the caption of this review, was reared in Ohio until eleven years of age, when he came with his parents to Kansas.  His youth was passed at farm work, assisting his father in cultivation of the fields and the raising of crops.  He acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and of Kansas and has added to his knowledge through experience, reading and observation.  At the age of twenty years, in June, 1891, in Wilson township, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Wyatt, a lady of intelligence, who was a popular and successful teacher before her marriage.  She was born in Lee county, Iowa, near Croton, and is a daughter of D B and Mary A (Davison) Wyatt.  Her father served as a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting for service in the Third Iowa Cavalry.  While at the front he was wounded, but whenever health permitted he was always at his post of duty, faithfully defending the old flag.  He was born in Kentucky, and with his wife is now living in Clovis, California.  They had six children, namely:  Mrs Anna Leonard; Mamie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Mrs Minnie Beldon, of Wilson township, Rice county; George; Albert; and Charles.

   At the time of his marriage Mr Leonard located on section 20, Wilson township, Rice county, where he first had forty acres of land.  In 1900 he removed to his present farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of good land, on which stand a comfortable residence, substantial barns, wood sheds, and all necessary buildings.  He uses the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his fertile fields, has good feed lots and pastures, and he also rents a large tract of land for stock purposes, being a very successful cattle raiser. He is also well known for his success in growing wheat.  In his business affairs he has prospered, owing to his energetic determination and perseverance and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has indeed proved to him a faithful companion on the journey of life.  They have become the parents of five children, namely:  Glenn Adelbert, Althea Alice, Qualdo  Eldridge, Blanche May and Belle.  The mother is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church.  Mr Leonard is a Republican in his political affiliations, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs.  He is a man of marked industry, whose word is as good as his bond, his integrity ever being above question.