**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of A. B. LEAMAN Pages 826-827, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin [Surnames: ASBURY, BARR, BEESON, BRAGG, HAYNES, HUBBARD, LEAMAN, MASTERS, MCKINNEY, MOODY, VAN ANTWERP] A. B. LEAMAN, Attorney-at-Law, and real estate dealer, at Canton. It cannot be denied that a man who lives according to the highest principles of what he conceives to be right will receive most sincere esteem from his fellows. As time passes on, and the world grows more and more progressive it is a distinctly recognized fact that true merit attended by energy cannot fail to bring about a good result. The subject of our sketch first saw the light of day near Oxford, Ohio, November 24, 1834, he being the son of Robert and Julia A. (Barr) Leaman. He passed his youth in Dayton, Ohio, where he attended school, and after taking an academic course graduated with honors. For a time he taught school in that city, and afterwards studied law. Realizing the necessity for a vast amount of knowledge to successfully carry out his chosen profession, he labored faithfully in mastering legal technicalities, and in 1856 was admitted to practice at the bar in Dayton. From the start his success was great, and he continued to practice in that city until he became connected with military service. He raised several companies and expected to go with them, but was only in service about eighteen months. Mr. Leaman after returning to Dayton was solicited to take charge of the schools in that city and for a period of seven or eight years served as Principal for the Fourth District, a position that he resigned in 1867, in order to act as agent for the Appletons in Indiana. In 1869 he came to Canton to take charge of the Canton schools, having been appointed Superintendent, but in 1877 he gave up teaching and devoted his entire attention to the law, practicing alone until January, 1890, and then forming a partnership with Hardy Masters. The firm name is Masters & Leaman, the senior member being a resident of Lewistown and one of the oldest attorneys in this county. The firm does a general law business. Mr. Leaman was married at Dayton, in 1866, to Miss Eliza J. Moody, a native of that city, and daughter of Daniel and Eleanor Moody. He was called upon to mourn her loss in August, 1872, at which date she breathed her last at her old home, leaving two children, Harry and Samuel C., both of whom are engaged in a mercantile business at Canton. Mr. Leaman was again married, the lady of his choice being this time Miss Julia Beeson, also a native of Ohio. The marriage took place in Canton, and she died August 1886, leaving two children, and a devoted husband to mourn her loss. The children, Robert E., and Bessie, now reside with a sister of our subject in Dayton, Ohio. In June, 1888, Mr. Leaman married Miss Lida Haynes, daughter of Amos and Sarah Haynes. The father of our subject was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1798 and was married there about the year 1824. he had been a merchant in his early days and also devoted considerable time to agriculture, but during the later years of his life he was a contractor. He built most of the stone bridge work of Dayton, Ohio, and also canals and public buildings in different States. He had removed to Ohio in 1832, locating at Oxford, afterward becoming a resident of Piqua and finally settling in Dayton, where both he and his wife died. To them were born nine children, six of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Susan is now the wife of Dr. L. Hubbard, of Dayton, Ohio; Angeline in the wife of R. L. McKinney, of Dayton; James B. is a merchant of San Jose, Cal.; Samuel B. is deceased; Franklin B. resides in San Jose, Cal.; A. B. is the subject of this biographical notice; Francis Asbury is deceased; Robert F., who was a member of the firm of Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio died December 13, 1887; Arthur T., is a notary public and real-estate dealer in Canton. Robert and Arthur were soldiers in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Infantry during the late war. Our subject has taken an active part in politics until quite recently, but his health not admitting of too great exertion, he now gives his attention exclusively to his business. His sympathies are with the Republican party and he is very popular in political circles. He has served as Supervisor of Canton Township and was not aware that his name was being agitated until the nomination was made. He has never sought place nor position, but when called upon to serve his fellow-men, did so faithfully and well. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is now serving as Master of the Lodge at Canton. He became a Knight Templar in Dayton, Ohio, but now belongs to the Commandery in Havana, this county. He has been connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a man greatly honored by all who know him and many true friends greet him in his goings and comings about the streets of the city.