LEANDER FAIRLEIGH GRAVESTONE PHOTO
Independence Daily Reporter, Monday, January 11, 1915, Pg. 4:
One of the Oldest Citizens Passed Away Saturday Evening.
Lee Fairleigh, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of this city, died at his home on West Myrtle street Saturday evening about 5 o’clock. He has been a resident of this city for 45 years and is survived by his wife and four children, one son, Wm. Fairleigh, having preceded him to the grave five years ago. The surviving children who were all at home at the time of their father’s death, are Mrs. George Chandler of Tulsa, Jesse Fairleigh of Kansas City, and John and Emma Fairleigh of this city.
The funeral took place from the family residence yesterday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. J. T. Shreve of the First Christian church, to which religious organization had been a consistent member for fifty years.
Lee Fairleigh was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on January 31, 1835. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the Fourteenth Indiana and served in the war from 1861 to 1864. On September 10, 1884, he was united in marriage to Martha J. Close. Mr. and Mrs. Fairleigh celebrated their golden wedding in this city last September.
Mr. Fairleigh was a good citizen and a kind neighbor and friend, and this genial disposition always made him a welcome companion. He has been in poor health and for some time and has never been a strong man physically since the war.
South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, January 13, 1915, Pg. 3:
Comrade Mustered Out.
During the past year we have frequently noted the ill health of Comrade Leander Fairleigh and Saturday afternoon the summons came and he was mustered out. He was born in Ohio in 1834, but was living in Indiana when the civil war broke on the country. Early in June 1861, he had enlisted and was sworn in to his country’s service in Company H, Fourteenth Indiana, and for three full years and nine days he was a good soldier, suffering the hardships and diseases that for many years have caused him great pain and suffering. When the war was over the Hoosier state had lost its attractions and in 1870 in a train of prairie schooners himself and wife journeyed to Kansas and he located in this, Montgomery county. He took what is now the J. M. Altaffer claim south on Coal creek, but later sold it and came to town. For a time he lived in Fawn creek and then in Rutland township. But when he could not farm he removed to Independence and has ever been a good citizen and a loyal member of the Christian church.
The funeral was held from the home Sunday afternoon and there was a large attendance, service in charge of his pastor Rev. J. T. Shreve, who spoke feelingly and consolingly and commended his loyalty to Nation and state and church. Interment in Mount Hope. He is survived by his widow, sons Jesse and John, daughters Mrs. George Chandler and Miss Emma, one brother, Harrison J., and sisters, Mrs. Leah Woodburn and Mrs. Dillon of Wichita and Mrs. Caton of this city and two in Terre Haute, Ind., his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Inez, son-in-law, Mr. Chandler, grandchildren and nephews, nieces and a host of relatives, all of whom were present at the funeral.