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LEANDER B. LEEDS, Senator from Clermont and Brown counties, was born in Clermont county; Ohio, July 20, 1816.
He was raised to the occupation of a farmer, till his eighteenth year, when he was apprenticed to the printing
business under Samuel Medary (late Governor Medary), who then published The Ohio Sun, at Batavia. After serving
out his apprenticeship, he went to Cincinnati, and worked in The Cincinnati Gazette office, under the late Charles
Hammond, its editor. In 1838 he engaged with Amos Denough, as foreman in The Democratic Standard office, in Georgetown,
Ohio, where he remained till the autumn of 1839. In 1839 and 1840 he worked in The Philanthropist office in Cincinnati,
edited by the late Gamaliel Bailey. In November, 1840, he bought The Sun office, in Batavia, which he conducted,
as publisher and editor, till April, 1834, with the exception of less than three years during the time. He was
twice elected County Recorder of Clermont county, and acted as Deputy County Treasurer for six years.
In 1844 he united with the Masonic Order, and in 1854 with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was for six
years Worshipful Master of the Batavia Lodge, and one year Most Excellent High Priest of Batavia Chapter. In 1868
he joined the Council at Georgetown. He was always a zealous, active worker in all these orders.
In 1864 he sold out his office in Batavia, and purchased The Argus office, in Georgetown, which name he changed
to that of Brown County News, which paper he still manages and owns.
In the fall of 1869 he was elected Senator in the Ohio Legislature, for the District composed of Clermont and Brown
counties, by over two thousand majority.
Mr. Leeds' opportunities for an education were very limited. Indeed what education he received, was that obtained
by his own personal efforts, unassisted by teachers or instructors, studying by night and leisure hours while a
boy and an apprentice. Whatever he enjoys of education, he obtained through his own efforts and untiring energy;
he, possessing an intense love for the sciences, was ever in search of them, by whatever means in his power.
Such is a brief history of Senator Leeds; hut it would require a volume to furnish a correct statement of his true
character. Modest as a maiden, he shrinks from every thing in which he is involved reflecting a compliment on himself.
Yet, when the interest, or honor of another is in question, he is ever ready, with pen and voice, to throw his
influence in its favor. Mr. Leeds is a gentleman possessing a high order of intellect, and were his tongue as practical
as his pen, he would have few superiors as a Legislator. He is always in his seat, carefully watching and guarding
the best interests of the people of the district which he represents; and, besides his duties there and on several
important committees, he finds time to write a full weekly report of the proceedings of both branches of the Legislature
for his own paper, published in Georgetown, Brown county, and The Clermont Sun, in Batavia, Clermont county. Courteous,
upright and manly in his deportment, he commands the confidence of his friends and the respect of his political
adversaries.
If the Fourth Senatorial District always sends as good, as faithful and as industrious a member to the State Senate,
as is Mr. Leeds, it will speak well for the people thereof.
He served with such general satisfaction to his constituents, that he was re-elected in 1871 to the Senate, receiving
the renomination, without opposition, and unanimously. He had the reputation of being among the most industrious
and faithful members of the Fifty ninth Senate, and still is ever at his post, doing his whole duty; as member
of the Sixtieth General Assembly. No more faithful, industrious or upright man can be found, ever working and labQring
faithfully for the best interests of his constituents, among whom he is exceedingly and deservedly popular, not
only with his political friends, but with his political opponents.
From:
Biographical Sketches of the
State Officers and of the members
of the Sixtieth General Assembly
of the State of Ohio.
By: W. Sarwin Crabb.
Ohio State Journal Book and Job Rooms.
Columbus, Ohio 1872
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