McClellan LEONARD[1] 1864 - 1937

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• Birth	13 Aug 1864  [1]
  Gender	Male
  Died	07 Jun 1937  [1]
  Person ID	I179	Leonard
  Last Modified	22 Oct 2009

  
  

  Father	Edmund LEONARD,   b. 08 Jun 1825, Washington Co., PA. ,   d. 12 Apr 1900, Uniontown, PA.
  Mother	Sarah HATFIELD,   b. 26 Nov 1826,   d. 19 Aug 1891, Uniontown, PA.
  Married	01 Mar 1849
  Family ID	F00039	Group Sheet

  
  

• Photos

  McClellan Leonard (1864-1937) McClellan Leonard, seventh of nine children born to Edmund Leonard and Sarah Hatfield, never married, founded the Uniontown (PA.) Free Public Library. Status: Located

  
  

  Albums

  McClellan Leonard (7) McClellan Leonard (1864-1937), never married, owned a photography studio, among many other hobbies.

  
  

• Notes

  Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical and Personal History http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=fay%2c&gsfn=edmund&gsln=leonard&sx=y&year=&yearend=&gskw=&gsco=2%2cUnited+States&gspl=41%2cPennsylvania&prox=0&rank=0&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&ct=3755 McClellan , son of Edmund and Sarah (Hatfield) LEONARD , was born in Redstone township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania , August 13, 1864 . He was educated in the public school of the township, Uniontown high school and the State Normal at California, Pennsylvania . His early employment was on the home farm. He learned the carpenter's trade, and became an expert mechanic, becoming foreman of the pattern-making department of the Columbia Iron and Steel Company of Uniontown (still preserving the old tradition of the family- "Find an iron works and find a LEONARD"). He continued in that position until 1893 . One of the buildings for which he made the patterns is the State Library at Richmond, Virginia ; another is the Masonic Temple, corner of State and Randolph streets, Chicago, a twenty-one story structure, and at the time it was built the tallest office building in the world; also the H. C. Brown Hotel, now the Palace; the County and City Building, Salt Lake City , and many others. He then became interested in photography, and until 1901 was engaged in that business very successfully in Uniontown , also having a branch gallery in Brownsville for some time. He retired from that business in 1901 and began a real estate business, handling coal lands for several years, then became a coal operator and coke broker. He is still engaged along these lines and is one of the successful operators of the county. He holds valuable properties in his own right and is agent for many others. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Uniontown Construction Company, engaged in general construction work. He stands high in the business community and is the most highly respected where best known. He is an active Democrat, interested in all that pertains to the public good, but never an office-seeker. Never married. ------------------------------------------------------- Uniontown Standard Obit 7 June 1937 One of City's Best Known Residents Dies Today of Peritonitis. McClellan LEONARD, prominent Uniontown real estate man and civic leader, died in the Uniontown hospital at 9:12 o'clock this morning of peritonitis. His death followed an operation performed Saturday morning, after he had suffered a burst appendix in an acute attack of appendicitis. Mr. LEONARD, for many years a resident of Uniontown, was born in Redstone township in 1864, and came to this city while still a young man. He was employed by the Columbia steel plant, until its closing, after which he opened the photographic studio now operated by O. C. Kough. In later years he went into the real estate business, in which his holdings were large, and organized the Sylvan Heights Cemetery and Mausoleum. Established Library. His death takes from the city one of it's most public spirited and unselfish men. His whole life was spent in civic and charitable effort. Mr. LEONARD organized and established the Uniontown Free Public Library, of which he was a director until his death. He had been a school director for the past six years, and an officer of the Uniontown Planning commission since it was formed. He was known as Fayette county's best historian since James Hadden, and had a large library on the subject. At the time of his death he was working on a history of the coal and steel industry in the county. An ultra-charitable man, he every year led in securing and donating hundreds of Christmas presents for the children of the poor. He was always engaged in helping the unfortunate. His latest public venture, which was interrupted by his death, was a plan to have the bodies removed from the old Arch street Methodist cemetery and the Presbyterian cemetery in Coon Hollow, to a plot which he would donate in his Sylvan Heights cemetery. His life is best described in the words of a friend: "No better citizen or man who did more for Uniontown ever lived, than McClellan LEONARD." He is survived by a sister, Mrs. H. D. Hutchinson, of Uniontown, and the following nieces and nephews: Elizabeth and Lemont LEONARD, Uniontown; Wilbur LEONARD, Buffalo, New York; Clark LEONARD and Mrs. Lester Burke, Pittsburgh; Harold LEONARD, Grovetown; Mrs. W. S. Frankenberger, Carmichaels, and Harold Hutchinson, Detroit, Mich. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (Standard - June 7, 1937) -------------------------- Misc obits and articles from the Fayette Co. RootsWeb Simple and impressive funeral services, in keeping with his unassuming disposition throughout his long life of service for others, were solemnized Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Great Bethel Baptist church for McClellan LEONARD. Rev. L. Spurgeon Clark, church pastor, delivered the eulogy, as low, sweet tones wafted gently from the church organ with Mrs. Esther Duff at the consoles. Interment was in the mausoleum at Sylvan Heights. Honorary pallbearers were: Judge e. H. Reppert, J. Watson Sembower, Mayor John Q. Adams, James W. Abraham, Willard C. Hood, Dr. Armer Craig, J. Nelson Mowls, J. K. Spurgeon, Lee Smith, O. C. Kough, C. D. Harader and R. W. Dawson. Active pallbearers included: C. J. Vetter, J. H. MacBurney, J. W. Newbrough, James H. Dunn, James G. Whaley and Thomas Jaquette. (newspaper dated June 10, 1937) McClellan LEONARD Passes Away in Local Hospital. One of City's Most Prominent Men had Emergency Operation. Had Notable Career. McClellan LEONARD, philanthropist, civic leader and outstanding realtor, died at 9:12 o'clock this morning, Monday, June 6, 1937, in Uniontown hospital. Mr. LEONARD failed to respond to treatment following a major operation to which he submitted early Saturday. Resultant complications superinduced his passing following a brief but brave fight by this, one of the city's most prominent and best loved residents. McClellan LEONARD, a son of Edmund and Sarah (Hatfield) LEONARD, was born in Redstone township, August 13, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of the township, Uniontown high school and State Normal school, California, Pa. His early employment was on the home farm. He learned the carpenter's trade, and became an expert mechanic, becoming foreman of the pattern-making department of the Columbia Iron and Steel Company of Uniontown (still preserving the old tradition of the family - "Find an iron works and find a LEONARD.") He continued in that position until 1893. One of the buildings for which he made the patterns is the state library at Richmond, Va.; another is ??? . buildings in the world; also the H. C. Brown hotel, now the Palace; the Count and City building, Salt Lake City, and many others. He then became interested in photography, and until 1901 was engaged in that business very successfully in Uniontown, also having a branch gallery in Brownsville for some time. He retired from that business in 1901 and began a real estate business, handling coal lands for several years, then became a coal operator and coke broker. Mr. LEONARD possessed one of the most complete histories of Fayette county that is known of today. Always interested in the old iron works and industries for which this county is famed, Mr. LEONARD's histories covered every reference to movements in other sections of the state and nation in which Fayette county may have had a part. One of his most recent enterprises of magnitude was the founding of Sylvan Heights on Route 119 just north of Uniontown, one of the most beautiful and extensive burial grounds in western Pennsylvania. At the time of his fatal illness he was engaged in completing plans to donate a portion of Sylvan Heights for re-burial of bodies now resting in the old Presbyterian cemetery, Penn street. Founder of Uniontown Free Public Library, in December, 1928, Mr. LEONARD has been its only president serving continuously since. It is principally through his personal interest and excellent management that this institution is now recognized as a leader in this field in Pennsylvania. He personally financed the purchase of the First Methodist Protestant church building the present site of the Library. In politics he always registered Democratic but his policy was liberal and he always supported the candidate he believed to be the one most helpful to the city or his beloved county of Fayette. Mr. LEONARD never sought but one public office. That was in keeping with his public interest. He served as a member of Uniontown's Board of Education, serving as treasurer at time of his death. Mr. LEONARD was president of Fayette chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; past president of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society; chairman of the City Planning Commission since its creation many years ago by an act of the Legislature; and the senior member of the Board of Governor's of the Uniontown Motor Club of the Three A's. He wrote the inscription on the marker at Braddock's Trail; aided in compiling a book on Fort Necessity and wrote a number of articles in the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society magazine. Probably the most outstanding of these latter articles was "Laurel Hill." _____________________________ McClellan LEONARD Passes Away in Local Hospital. One of City's Most Prominent Men had Emergency Operation. Had Notable Career. McClellan LEONARD, philanthropist, civic leader and outstanding realtor, died at 9:12 o'clock this morning, Monday, June 6, 1937, in Uniontown hospital. Mr. LEONARD failed to respond to treatment following a major operation to which he submitted early Saturday. Resultant complications superinduced his passing following a brief but brave fight by this, one of the city's most prominent and best loved residents. McClellan LEONARD, a son of Edmund and Sarah (Hatfield) LEONARD, was born in Redstone township, August 13, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of the township, Uniontown high school and State Normal school, California, Pa. His early employment was on the home farm. He learned the carpenter's trade, and became an expert mechanic, becoming foreman of the pattern-making department of the Columbia Iron and Steel Company of Uniontown (still preserving the old tradition of the family - "Find an iron works and find a LEONARD.") He continued in that position until 1893. One of the buildings for which he made the patterns is the state library at Richmond, Va.; another is ??? . buildings in the world; also the H. C. Brown hotel, now the Palace; the Count and City building, Salt Lake City, and many others. He then became interested in photography, and until 1901 was engaged in that business very successfully in Uniontown, also having a branch gallery in Brownsville for some time. He retired from that business in 1901 and began a real estate business, handling coal lands for several years, then became a coal operator and coke broker. Mr. LEONARD possessed one of the most complete histories of Fayette county that is known of today. Always interested in the old iron works and industries for which this county is famed, Mr. LEONARD's histories covered every reference to movements in other sections of the state and nation in which Fayette county may have had a part. One of his most recent enterprises of magnitude was the founding of Sylvan Heights on Route 119 just north of Uniontown, one of the most beautiful and extensive burial grounds in western Pennsylvania. At the time of his fatal illness he was engaged in completing plans to donate a portion of Sylvan Heights for re-burial of bodies now resting in the old Presbyterian cemetery, Penn street. Founder of Uniontown Free Public Library, in December, 1928, Mr. LEONARD has been its only president serving continuously since. It is principally through his personal interest and excellent management that this institution is now recognized as a leader in this field in Pennsylvania. He personally financed the purchase of the First Methodist Protestant church building the present site of the Library. In politics he always registered Democratic but his policy was liberal and he always supported the candidate he believed to be the one most helpful to the city or his beloved county of Fayette. Mr. LEONARD never sought but one public office. That was in keeping with his public interest. He served as a member of Uniontown's Board of Education, serving as treasurer at time of his death. Mr. LEONARD was president of Fayette chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; past president of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society; chairman of the City Planning Commission since its creation many years ago by an act of the Legislature; and the senior member of the Board of Governor's of the Uniontown Motor Club of the Three A's. He wrote the inscription on the marker at Braddock's Trail; aided in compiling a book on Fort Necessity and wrote a number of articles in the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society magazine. Probably the most outstanding of these latter articles was "Laurel Hill." Surviving, Mr. LEONARD is one sister, Mrs. H. D. Hutchinson, of Uniontown; and the following nieces and nephews: Miss Elizabeth LEONARD; Clark LEONARD, Pittsburgh; LaMotte? LEONARD, Uniontown; Wilbur L. LEONARD, Buffalo, N. Y.; Harold LEONARD, Groveton, Pa.; Mrs. Lester Burke, Pittsburgh; Mrs. W. S. Frankenburger, Carmichaels, and Harold Hutchinson, Detroit, Mich. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (Genius - June 7, 1937) _______________________________________ Funeral services for McClellan LEONARD will be solemnized at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Great Bethel Baptist church. Rev. L. Spurgeon Clark, church pastor, will officiate and interment will be in the mausoleum at Sylvan Heights. Friends will be received at the residence, 392 East Main street, until 11 o'clock Wednesday morning. At that time the body is to be removed to Bethel Baptist church where it may be viewed from 12 o'clock noon until immediately preceding the funeral service. Honorary pallbearers will include: Judge E. H. Reppert, J. Watson Sembower, Mayor John Q. Adams, James W. Abraham, William C. Hood, D. Armer Craig, J. Nelson Mowls, J. K. Spurgeon, Lee Smith, O. C. Kough, C. D. Harader and R. W. Dawson. Active pallbearers will be: C. J. Vetter, J. H. MacBurney, J. W. Newbrough, James H. Dunn, James C. Whaley and Thomas B. Jaquette.




• Sources

  [S00200] JLH file notes, p. 45.