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LEANDER ADAMS is a prominent farmer of Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is the owner of an excellent farm of 111 acres, located about one mile west of Murrinsville. He was born in a log house on the farm now
owned by him, January 15, 1848, and is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Kimes) Adams.
James Adams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Butler County at a very early period and settled at Adams Corners, near the present borough of Slippery Rock. He partly cleared the farm and continued to reside there until his death at the age of eighty years.
He and his wife were parents of the following children: Joshua, Ephraim, John, Josiah, James, Eli, William, Sarah, widow of Rev. A. Dale, and Hannah Jane, who was the wife of a man named McCune.
Joshua Adams was born at Adams Corners, Butler County, in 1819, and assisted in clearing the home farm, on which he lived until his marriage. His wife was in maiden life, Sarah Kimes, and upon her marriage, her father, Thomas Kimes, gave her a tract of forty-two acres,
which was the nucleus of the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. They built a log house on this farm, which still stands, and from time to time added to their possessions until they had 120 acres. He died here in 1883, and was survived by his widow until 1898,
when she passed away at the age of seventy-two years. They were parents of the following children: Eliza Jane, who was the wife of Richard Van Dike, both being now deceased; Leander, whose name heads this article; Sarah Ann, widow of Jackson Black; Maria, deceased wife of
Jacob Dible; Melissa, who died in infancy; Josiah T.; aud Laura, wife of Elmer Stoops.
Leander Adams spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the old district school a few months each winter. Being the eldest son, much of the farm work devolved upon him, and he early in life became inured to hard work, which he has kept up throughout his active career.
After his marriage he first located on a piece of the home farm, sixty acres of which he inherited at his father's death. He set up housekeeping in the old log house and later purchased a house of his brother-in-law, Jacob Dible, and in this they set up housekeeping.
He later purchased ten acres of his brother, Josiah, and in 1896 bought an additional piece of forty acres from his mother. He has always followed diversified farming, and success has crowned his efforts. He takes an active interest in public affairs and for some years
was a Republican, being elected to the office of school director on that ticket. For a score or more of years he has been a Prohibitionist, and in 1908 was the party candidate for county commissioner, receiving a complimentary vote of 660.
September 10, 1874, Mr. Adams was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Elizabeth Black, a daughter of Squire William and Margaret (Cross) Black. Mr. Black served as justice of the peace in Marion Township for many years. He was first married to Isabella Mitchell, who died
leaving eight children — Martin, Captain Mitchell, Hiram, William, Margaret, Julia, Isabella and Jackson. His second union was with Margaret Cross, by whom he had two children: Mary Elizabeth, wife of our subject; and Washington E. All are now deceased except Margaret
and Mary Elizabeth. Captain Mitchell, Hiram aiid William Black gave their lives in the Union cause during the war. Mr. and Mrs. Adams became parents of the following children: Lillian Jane, who is the wife of Harvey Henon and has a daughter, Avennell Lucile; Fannie Fern,
wife of Samuel McDonald; Twila Daisy; Margaret N.; Jessie M.; Dalas LeRoy; and two who died in infancy. In religious attachment, Mr. Adams and his family are members of the Clintonville United Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the session.
Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 1281-1282.
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