This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: farwellwalter Surnames: Leeka, Seward, Cooper, Hoecken Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.fremont/7542/mb.ashx Message Board Post: FREMONT COUNTY HERALD. Oct. 2, 1902. "WILLIAM LEEKA". -- The familiar feature of the above portrait will be readily reognized by most of our readers as he is known to a large acquaintance in every part of the county and especially in the northern part where his name is associated with the pioneers who braved the hardships incident to pioneer life. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 14, 1830 and is of German lineage. In the spring of 1839 the parents emigrated from Clinton county, Ohio, to Van Buren county, Iowa, making the journey down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers. After spending a few years in this sparsely settled country, the family moved to Holt county, MO., and resided there about one year. In November 1848 another move was inaugurated which brought the family to Fremont county, Iowa, where the father, John Leeka, purchased 160 acres of land lying along Plum Creek about two miles east of where Thurman is now located, for $1.25 per acre. DURING THE WINTER OF '48 THE FAMILY RESIDED IN AN OLD LOG HOUSE WHICH STOOD A SHORT DISTANCE SOUTH OF THE PRESENT RESIDENCE but the winter months were improved by the father and two sons, David and William in cutting and hewing logs for the erection of a better house at the earliest convenience the spring weather would permit. In the meantime another tract of land comprising 240 acres had been added which now made the new possesion even 300 acres. At this place the mother died on June 30, 1880 at the age of about 82 years, and on January 10, 1892 the father departed this life at the advanced age of 90 years. August 28, 1873, Mr.Leeka was united in marriage to Miss Rachel S. Seward, of Van Buren county, Iowa. To this union six children were born and all are yet living. They have not forgotten the admonition of fond parents and neglected their educational advantages as two of the sons are graduates of a normal school at Lincoln, Neb., and Miss Lorena has taken special work in Drake University at Des Moines. The present residence, which was begun in October 1892 and finished the following spring so that the family took their abode therein, is one of the finest farm houses in the state; the building is attractive in architecture, neat in adornment, both on the exterior and interior. It is 46x40 feet in dimension and two stories high with ceilings 10 and 8 1/2/ feet high. The location is on a fine elevation against a bluff which services as a protection from atmospheric danger coming from the north or west and it also lends enchantment to the surrounding scene. Much might be said of this magnificent home but pen or brush is inadequate to do full justice. Mr. Leeka is quite liberal in his political views but was formerly a supporter of the republican party. He has held different offices--being the first clerk of Scott township, county commissioner and justice of the peace. He is a member and holds the position of elder in the reorganized church of Latter Day Saints. He is a liberal supporter of all worthy institutions; the community at large and indiviudals in particular could vouch for his spirit of benevolence and they do by their estimation and appreciation. His landed interest comprises 3,200 acres in Fremont county, 1,450 acres in Kansas and 320 acres in Oklahoma, making a practical aggregate of 5,000 acres which he has acquired through his own effort save, perhaps, the old homestead of 400 acres purchased by his father. N.B.: Read thoughtfully what Leeka was saying in the third paragraph where he says the Leeka family lived in an old log cabin during the winter of 1849 - 1849. (The capital letters are mine.) How can one explain his statement that there was and OLD LOG CABIN standing along Plum Creek in November 1848? It stood just a short distance south of the home built by the Leeka's in October 1892. Undoubtedly, he is referring to a cabin left behind when the Half Breed Farm neighborhood was vacated when the Pottawattomie Indians left Fremont county for their new homes in Kansas in 1846. Stephen Cooper said there were "half breeds" living in the present day Thurman area; and thanks to Father Hoecken's baptismal records we know some of the French families living there. Perhaps I should reiterate that William Leeka's picture accompanies the original article.-- W.F. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.