Charles H. Leonard

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Charles H. Leonard

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

It is interesting to notice how business ability can be traced from generation to generation in a family. This is the case with Charles H. LEONARD, who inherits this fine trait from both maternal and paternal ancestors.

William H. LEONARD, his father, who was born in Orange, New Jersey, April 26, 1816, and died in Parsippany, Morris county, when more than seventy years of age, was a son of Josiah and ______ (OGDEN) LEONARD, the former noted as a school teacher in Orange. In his earlier years William H. LEONARD followed the shoemaker's trade, but seeing a better future in the butcher business, established himself in that in Boonton, Morris county, at a time when he was the only butcher in the town. Later he established himself in the same line of business in Parsippany, and was successfully identified with it for many years. He was active in his support of the Republican part, and was honored by his fellow townsmen by election to a number of public offices. He married Martha Ann STETSON, who died July 1, 1896, a member of the Stetson family whose name has become famous in the entire Union. They had children: Kate; William W.; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; George E.

Charles H. LEONARD was born in Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, August 20, 1856, and acquired substantial educational advantages in the public schools of his native county. Before attaining his majority he had already established a reputation for excellent business qualities, and was beginning to make a name for himself in the business world. He engaged in the grain and feed business about 1884, both in Boonton and Morristown, and is a director in the firm of C.H. Leonard Company. At one time he was the main owner of the interests of this concern. The Fox Hill Coal, Ice and Lumber Company was incorporated March 1, 1913, the present officers being as follows: D.M. MERCHANT, president; William FRANCISCO, vice-president; Charles H. LEONARD, treasurer and general manager. This company has the most complete coal pockets on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and employs about six men, and has in use four large building in addition to the coal pockets. It is the most complete and best equipped plant in Morris county, and is the only one of its particular kind in the county. Mr. LEONARD is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons. He married (first) in March, 1880, Mary A., who died March 30, 1891, a daughter of ex-Judge DeWitt C. and Adelaide (BALL) QUINBY. He married (second) in January, 1887, Phoebe Gertrude, a daughter of Jesse and Gertrude (BOCKOVEN) PIERSON, and by this second marriage has one son: Charles Pierson, born May 23, 1898. Mr. LEONARD has always taken an active interest in whatever concerned the welfare of the community, and he has served as postmaster of Parsippany, and as the Hanover township member of the Republican county committee.