Alva Jefferson Leisure Questions

I’ve got some questions for my cousins out there. For the past few days, I know not why, I’ve been looking at the Alva Jefferson Leisure family. I say I don’t know why because Alva is my 2^nd cousin 3x removed and I much closer relations I need to research. That be as it may, I’ve been looking at Alva.

Alva was the son of William and Margaret Jane (Holford) Leisure, born 09 Aug 1867 probably in Rush county, Indiana.  He married Lena Eldora (aka Dora) Anderson in Hancock County, Indiana on 30 Oct 1890.

This is where the mystery (for me) begins. The 1900 federal census finds the family in Beebe Township, White county, Arkansas where Alva is listed as a saw mill proprietor. Listed with “Dora” and Alva are two sons - Paul born in March of 1893 in Pennsylvania and Earl born in March of 1895 in Indiana. At first I thought the recording of Pennsylvania may have been an error by the census taken (it wouldn’t be the first time) but on both his WWI and WWII draft registrations, Paul lists his birthplace as Philadelphia, PA. On that same census, Dora is listed as having four children with two living so somewhere there may be a record for two children I don’t have in my database.

It appears the family moved back to Indiana after Paul was born and then sometime between 1895 (Earl’s birth) and 1900 they moved to Arkansas. William Leisure was born in Arkansas in 21 Jul 1900, after the census was taken. Then, it’s back to Indiana by 10 Jul 1903 when Thelma was born in Hancock County. After that, they stayed put.

Here’s my question: does anyone know what drew Alva and family to Pennsylvania and/or Arkansas?

Just wonderingJ

John Leisure - Spy during Revolution

I was rummaging around on the web the other day - as I am wont to do frequently - and I came across the record as seen below. It comes from the olonial Records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XIV, Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council, Pg. 199, Published by the State, 1851-1853. Council meeting September 6, 1784.

The second paragraph records the payment of 31 pounds, ten shillings "for services as spies on the western frontiers" to several men included one John Leisure.

Does anyone have any information as to who this John Leisure may be?

Sunday's Obituary: George Washington Leisure Obituaries

Included here are images and transcriptions of two obituaries for George Washington Leisure. Though both are very respectful you'll notice a significant difference in length between The Rushville Republican and The Rusville Jacksonian (the Democratic paper in town). The reason become obvious as you read the articles:-)

Reported in The Rushville Republican, 31 March 1896, page 2; transcribed by Becky Higgins, 06 March 2011:

An Old Settler Dead.   George W. Leisure died at his home in Posey township last Friday afternoon at two o'clock. He was eighty-seven years of age and was one of the early settlers of Rush county. Mr. Leisure was born in Kentucky on January 9, 1809, and after his marriage to Miss Lucinda Myers, in October 1829, came to Rush county and settled in Ripley township. He after words removed over to Posey township. His wife died a few years ago. Fourteen children were born to them -- eleven of whom survive him. In politics Mr. Leisure was a Democrat, and was honored by his party, being elected Trustee of Posey township, and as County Commissioner in 1875. The funeral services were held in Hannagan church, on Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. B. Blount. Burial in Hannagan graveyard.

Here comes the one published by the Democratic paper - The Rushville Jacksonian, April 2, 1896, page 29:

GEORGE W. LEISURE
Sketch of the Life of a Useful and Respected Citizen.
The funeral services of the late George W. Leisure, of Posey township, who died at 2 p.m. Friday, were held at the Hannigan church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Elder J B Blount. Burial in the Hannigan graveyard followed.
Uncle George W. Leisure, or ‘Squire Leisure, as he was familiarly known, was a man with a wide acquaintance in Rush county. He was esteemed for his many good qualities and when he news of his death was received here it was heard with regret.
George W. Leisure was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, June 9, 1809. His parents were Marylanders. His grandfather, Joseph Leisure, attained the great age of 105 years. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Irvin, lived till he was 80. On Oct. 8, 1829, at the age of 20, he married Lucinda Myers, one year his junior. They removed north immediatey [sic] after heir marriage. Coming to Indiana, he settled on Blue River, in Ripley township. Later he removed to Posey township, entering a tract of 80 acres. A rude log cabin was erected in the forest and the work of making a small clearing commenced.
He felled the trees, burned brush, rolled logs and not infrequently did his wife help in the work of preparing the ground for the plow. They toiled together and prosperity in course of time began to smile on their labor. Mr. Leisure was enabled to enter and purchase other lands until he finally became one of the largest free-holders in the county.
Fourteen children were born in the Leisure family eleven of whom attained mature years, married and were comfortably provided for. They are: Sarah, John, Joseph, Henry, Nathan Elizabeth, Lucinda, James P., William, Maria and Rachel A. Nearly 60 grandchildren and 35 or more  great-grandchildren have blessed Mr. Leisure in his old age. His good wife died a few years after having lived together sixty-odd years.
Mr. Leisure and his sons and their wives, his daughter and their husbands, were members of the Christian church.
In the death of Uncle George W. Leisure another of the few remaining pioneers who entered land at the first settlement has passed away.

Print Test

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Darn! Didn't work right; I'll have to try again.

Still not working right for the most recent posts, but I've contacted support for help. Maybe they can tell me where my problem is:)

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