History Of Rush County Indiana 1888 Brant & Fuller Surnames In This Biography are: Sexton, Pugh, Stewart, Irvin, Hubbard, Warner, Mauzy, McMahan, Hunt, Bell, Woolen, Wright, New, LEONIDAS SEXTON was born May 19, 1827, at Rushville, Ind, and was the son of Horatio G. Sexton, who was a native of Massachusetts, and emigrated to the west in the year 1818 or 1819. His mother’s maiden name was Hannah Pugh; she was of Welsh extraction on the paternal side of the family. Leonidas Sexton education was begun in the primitive schools of his native town. In 1842, he, with several other boys of his age, was placed in a Latin school, taught by the Rev. D. M. Stewart, at his private residence in Rushville. His primary education having been deficient, and not being prepared to begin a collegiate course, he entered the primary department of Hanover College in the fall of 1843. After remaining there one term, he returned to his home for the winter, where he remained until the spring of 1844, when he was placed as a pupil in Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where he stayed through the Freshman year, and made rapid progress. He, however, became dissatisfied with his instructors, and, in company with John R. Irvin, of Ohio, went to Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Pa. In this college he exhibited some. of the adroitness which, in after years, characterized, him as a lawyer. In changing from Miami University to Jefferson College, he entered the junior class, thus skipping the sophomore year. He graduated from this college in June, 1847, and in the winter of the same year was placed on contest by the Franklin Literary Society, as Essayist, and won the prize. He was very popular with the boys, as well as the professors, of the college. The class with which he graduated consisted of sixty members: twelve afterward became lawyers; twenty-four, ministers and teachers; and the remainder chose other occupations and professions. All through his college course, Mr. Sexton’s predilection was toward law as his profession, but having misgivings as to his ability to become an extemporaneous speaker, he hesitated as to his chose. After returning home, he at once entered his father’s office as a student of medicine. After studying Bell’s Anatomy for some time, he indignantly cast it aside and took up Blackstone in its place. He entered with great zeal upon the study of law (in the office of Judge A. W. Hubbard, in the latter part of 1847,) in which he afterward became so distinguished. The following winter he attended lectures in the law school at Cincinnati, Ohio. As soon as his professional education was completed, he opened a law office n Rushville, but business not coming in as fast as his ardent nature desired, he changed his location to Kokomo, Ind. After a very short stay there, he “pulled up stakes” and returned to the place of his nativity. Here he entered into partnership with his former preceptor, A. W. Hubbard, from which time he grew rapidly in favor as a lawyer, and became a man of prominence at the Bar. On the first of September, 1851, he was married to Miss Lydia A. Warner, daughter of John Warner, who resided at Hatfield, Mass. Miss Warner was one of the cheeriest of women, and made her home one of sunshine and happiness. They had three daughters, two of whom yet survive: Mrs. Z. E. Mauzy and Mrs. S. W. McMahan. In the autumn of 1856, Mrs. Sexton was called to rest, leaving a home desolate. November 2, 1858, Mr. Sexton was married to a most estimable lady of his own town, Miss Anna Hunt, who was born near Paducah, Ky., October 9, 1836. She was the daughter of James and Sarah (Bell) Hunt, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. They had four children, two sons and two daughters only one of whom, Gates, a son, yet survives. He is a lawyer and newspaperman in Rushville and lives with his mother. Mr. Sexton died at Parsons, Kas, after a brief illness, whilst on a visit to friends, July 4., 1880. His first political fight was for a seat in the Legislature of Indiana, in 1856, which he successfully contested. He was elected a member of the Forty-fifth Congress, over L. J. Woolen and William L. Wright, but was defeated for the Forty-sixth Congress by Jeptha D. New. Mr. Sexton had the honor of being the only native-born Representative in Congress that Rush County ever produced. Socially, he was a man of many acquaintances, and almost every man was his friend who was his acquaintance. He was a very close student, and gave his extra time to books until his political life began. He occupied high and exalted positions in both the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. He was elected Lieutenant Governor, being the only one elected on the Republican ticket. Mr. Sexton had a genial nature, a kind heart, a benevolent disposition and a public-spirited mind. In the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member, he always gave liberally, and was much concerned for its prosperity and usefulness. He was a zealous worker in the Sunday School, and when at home never missed either the Sunday School or public service. Few men of his age attained so much distinction. No man of Rush County has equaled him.