My Genealogy Hound

Joseph Leising, representative from Gasconade County in the State Legislature, came originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was born September 21, 1846. His parents were Martin and Ursula (Hangs) Leising, who, upon immigrating to the United States, located at Chillicothe, Ohio, where the father followed the trade of a stone-mason. He died there in December, 1863, his widow surviving him until 1867. Young Joseph, the oldest of seven children, grew to manhood in Chillicothe, and attended the public schools. His first experience was in learning the printer’s trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the late war, when, in January, 1864, he enlisted in Company L, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close of hostilities. Subsequently he was occupied in working at his chosen calling in different States and cities, and in 1874 located at Hermann, where he embarked in the newspaper business. To this he directed his attention until 1883, but at present is engaged in driving wells in Gasconade and neighboring counties. In 1884 Mr. Leising was elected to represent this county in the State Legislature, and so well did he discharge his official duties that at the following election, in 1886, he was chosen his own successor.