John C. Leatherman

From History of Frederick County. p. 1147-1148:

John C. Leatherman, a retired farmer of Myersville, Frederick County, Md., son of George and Rebecca E. (Johnson) Leatherman, both deceased, was born near Petersville, Petersville District, Frederick County, Md., December 15, 1852.

Daniel Leatherman, great-great-grandfather of John C. Leatherman, was the founder of the American branch of the Leatherman family. He was a native of Germany who emigrated to America and settled at Germantown, Pa. He was a member of the German Baptist Church. Daniel Leatherman married and among his children was a son named Peter Leatherman.

Peter Leatherman, great-grandfather of John C. Leatherman, was a minister of the German Baptist Church. He was married to Annie Swigard, and among their children was a son named Jacob. Peter Leatherman died November 29, 1845, and was laid to rest in the graveyard on the home farm.

Mr. Leatherman’s grandfather, Jacob Leatherman, also a minister of the German Baptist Church, was a school teacher and afterwards a farmer. He was a successful agriculturist, and owned a valuable farm in the upper part of the Middletown Valley. Jacob Leatherman was married to Susanna Harp, who was born October 25, 1795. Their children are: 1, George; 2, Mary, born May 23, 1828, married to the late John Grossnickle; 3, John, born May 24, 1830, drowned, June 14, 1832; 4, Peter, born October 27, 1831; 5, Elizabeth, born August 26, 1834; 6, Jacob, born June 22, 1836. Mrs. Leatherman died, June 29, 1836. On June 25, 1837, Mr. Leatherman was married to Catherine Harp, a sister of his first wife. They had no ehildren. Jacob Leatherman was born March 11, 1787, and died, November 19, 1865.

The late George Leatherman, father of John C. Leatherman, son of Jacob and Susanna (Harp) Leatherman, who resided near Harmony, Md., was born near Ellerton, Md., April 2, 1827. He was educated in the public schools ef his native district and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one. Having attained his majority, Mr. Leatherman began farming for himself on one of his father’s farms near Petersville. After cultivating this land for four years, he removed to a farm near Harmony, Md., also the property of his father, where he spent the rest of his life. Mr. Leatherman was a prosperous farmer, and a good citizen. He owned two valuable farms and a large tract of timber land. Like his father and grandfather, he was a minister of the German Baptist Church. The Leatherman family was represented in the ministry of that denomination continuously for one hundred and fifty years. George Leatherman was married to Rebecca E. Johnson. Their children are: 1. Mary Elizabeth, born July 29, 1848, married to Joshua Sommers, a retired farmer of Myersville, Frederick County, Md.; 2, Franklin, born in 1850, died in 1870; 3, John C, born December 15, 1852; 4, Charles T., born January 16, 1855, of Washington County, Md.; 5, Sarah C., born December 25, 1856, married to R. Scott Derr, a farmer of Ballinger District, Frederick County; 6, George Carlton, born December 17, 1858, a retired farmer of Myersville. Md., married to Mary Ellen Leatherman; 7, Clara R., born June 6, 1861, married to Charles C. Grossnickle, a farmer of Catoctin District, Frederick County; 8, Julia Ann, born November 19, 1862, married to Daniel C. Harshman, a farmer of Jackson District, Frederick County; 9, Alfred J., born April 16, 1864, a farmer of Jackson District; 10. David O., of Jackson District, born January 23, 1867; 11, William H., born Seotember 23, 1868, of Jackson District; 12, Hannah, born May 30, died in infancy. George Leatherman died at his home near Harmony, Md., February 25, 1907, and is buried in the German Baptist Cemetery at the Grossnickle Church.

John C. Leatherman received his education in the public schools of the district, and remained on the farm with his father until he reached his twenty-eighth year, when he began farming for himself, renting one of his father’s farms. After cultivating this land successfully for ten years, Mr. Leatherman purchased a farm of 153 acres of excellent land, a part of the Keller estate, situated one mile south of Myersville, on the old Hogestown road. The Inter Urban Electric R. R. runs through this farm. After improving this place until he had made it one of the desirable farms of the district, Mr. Leatherman purchased an adjoining farm and, after improving it, sold it to his son, V. Ward Leatherman. Mr. Leatherman has worked hard and faithfully, and is now reaping the fruit of his labors. In the spring of 1909, he rented his farm to his son, Roy L. Leatherman, and retired to Myersville, where he had built for himself a beautiful twostory brick dwelling. He is a prosperous man and his financial ability is recognized by his fellow citizens. He was one of the organizers of the Myersville and Catoctin R. R., in which he is a stockholder. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers’ Exchange, of Myersville; in the Washington Realty Company, of Washington, D. C.; and in the Flook, Gaver, Summers, Leatherman and Grossnickle Bank, of Myersville. He is also one of the directors of the bank. Mr. Leatherman is a Republican, interested in all that relates to improvement in the county.

John C. Leatherman was married to Susan R., daughter of Elias and Nancy (Stottlemyer) Grossnickle, whose father is well-known among the retired farmers of Catoctin District, Frederick County. Their children are: 1, Vernon W.. a farmer of Jackson District, Frederick County, married to Florence B. Harshman; 2, George U., a farmer of Catoctin District, married to Adie C. Harshman; 3, Roy L., a farmer of Jackson District, married to Vada E. Grossnickle; 4, Nannie R., married John W. Eldridge, of Gray, Indiana; 5, Clare E., at home. Mrs. Leatherman died, June 10, 1909, and is buried in the German Baptist Cemetery. Mr. Leatherman is an active member of the German Baptist Church and contributes liberally to all benevolent enterprises.