My Genealogy Hound

ISABELLE (WELLS) LEFFEL makes her home on a well-improved farm two miles south of Springfield, her home being shared by her children. The residence is well built, as are the other buildings which adorn the estate, while the land is productive and well cultivated. The estate was operated for many years by the deceased husband and father, and upon it he breathed his last April 26, 1877.

Mrs. Leffel was born in Miami County, and having lost her mother when very young, became an inmate of the home of her paternal grandparents. She attended the district schools, and afterward advanced her education by pursuing her studies in the city schools of Dayton. She became well informed, and under excellent home influences developed into a noble womanhood. In 1868 she became the wife of James M. Leffel, a native of Clark County, who was reared to agricultural pursuits, and always followed that occupation. Their union resulted in the birth of four children — Clarence N., James L., Maud V., and Leslie B. They were quite young when deprived of a father’s care, and their widowed mother has endeavored to fill his place in the direction of their lives, while keeping before them the memory of the loved and lost.

Mrs. Leffel is of English ancestry, and it is believed that her grandfather was born in the mother country, and came to America with his parents. The latter, Samuel and Martha Wells, after having lived for some time in Virginia, removed to Miami County, Ohio, where their last years were spent. Their mortal remains were deposited on the home farm six miles from Troy. Their son Silas married Elsie Skinner, a native of South Carolina, and is numbered among the early settlers of Miami County, to which he went about 1823. There he bought land, engaged in agriculture, and like his parents, continued to reside there until death.

The father of Mrs. Leffel was Richard Wells, who was born in Virginia, and accompanied his parents to Ohio when about twelve years old. At that early day, deer, wild turkeys, and other kinds of game were plentiful throughout the vicinity in which they located. Young Wells learned the trade of a carpenter at Troy, afterward devoting a part of his time to his handicraft, and the remainder to farming. When a young man he went to Illinois, where he was married, subsequently returning to Ohio, and occupying a farm adjoining that of his father until the death of his wife. He then went West and traveled quite extensively, his last years being spent with his children. He died about 1875, and was buried in Dayton. He was the father of four children, Mrs. Leffel being the youngest. The others are: Mrs. Mary J. Karnes, Thomas Benton, and Mrs. Ella Koogler, all of whom live in Miami County.

The father of Mr. Leffel was James P. Leffel, who was born and reared in Botetourt County, Va. When he was eighteen years old he left the parental roof and journeying westward, soon reached Clark County, Ohio. Here he found employment on a farm, receiving $2 per month for his services. He was industrious and faithful, and saved his earnings, finally being able to buy a mill and distillery which he operated some time. He then sold the property and bought a farm in Springfield Township, where he resided until death. Good fortune seemed to attend him, and he accumulated quite a property. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Miller.