Biography of Francis Leason, pages 71.  History of Northeast Indiana; 
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.

   Francis Leason.  In the early days of DeKalb County a substantial English 
family  was established in Troy Township by the name of Leason. A number of 
its representatives are still found in the vicinity, one of then being Mr. 
Francis Leason, who still goes about his daily vocation as a farmer on the 
east half of the northwest quarter of section 8.
   He was born in Erie County, Ohio, February 2, 1854, a son of Joseph and 
Mary (Sharp) Leason.  His father was born in England December 2, 1810, a son 
of Francis Leason, while the mother was born March 2, 1819, in the same 
country.  The father grew up in Derbyshire and the mother in Nottingham, 
and they were married in June, 1848.  The following week they set out for 
the United States and at once located in Erie County, Ohio. Joseph Leason 
rented a farm there a short time, then returned to England for two years, 
after which he again became an Erie County farmer and in 1856 made his 
second return to England.  In 1862 he was again in Erie County, Ohio and 
continued farming there until 1867, when he removed to Indiana and bought 
sixty acres in section 8 of Troy Township.  He lived there until his death 
in 1879 his wife having passes away in 1872.  He was one of the leading 
members of the United Brethren Church in the community.  He never took out 
his papers to become an American citizen.
   Francis Leason was the only child of his parents and since he was 
thirteen years of age has lived in Troy Township.  He acquired his 
education in the common schools and on December 5, 1879, married Mary E. 
Stearns.   She was born in Troy Township July 20, 1859, a daughter of John 
and Nancy (Ward) Stearns.  Her father was born in Morrow County, Ohio, 
December 3, 1829, and her mother April 11, 1833, in Ashtabula County, of 
the same state.  They were married July 13, 1856, and Mrs. Leason is their 
only daughter.
   Mr. and Mrs. Leason have three children: John, Charles, born February 
17, 1883, married and living at Monroe, Michigan; and Carrie, born 
February 6, 1887, still at home with her parents.  The latter are active 
members of the Zion United Brethren Church, and Mr. Leason is a republican.  
He and his wife have six grandchildren.
   John Leason, son of Francis and Mary (Stearns) Leason, is a member of 
the third generation of this family and has a valuable farm in section 8 
of Troy Township.  He was born May 6, 1881, on a farm adjoining his 
present home, and he grew up and received his education in the locality.  
June 8, 1904, he married Mildred C. Hammond.  She was born in Franklin 
Township of DeKalb County October 29, 1885, a daughter of George and 
Caroline Hammond.  She was reared in her native township and received a 
common school education.  After their marriage John Leason and wife lived 
on the home farm for about five years and them came to their present place, 
where they have eighty acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. 
They are active members of the West Zion United Brethren Church, Mr. Leason 
being on the official boards and finance committee. He is a republican in 
politics.  To their marriage have been born five children, Violet, Martin, 
Mildred and Dorothea and Doris, twins.
   

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com