William Demas Leatherman

7th Generation

William Demas Leatherman, born June 14, 1887, was one of three children born to Elmer W. Leatherman and Anna Barnard. They lived in Wood County at this time, and migrated to the Colton area when Demas was 16, the year being 1903. The farm was on the Henry-Fulton County line. His father, Elmer was a farmer and prominent minister in the Church of God denomination. In 1916 he gave up farming and moved to a home in Colton, which he made into the showplace of the town with his flowers. He lived here until old age forced him and his wife to abandon housekeeping and live with his two sons, Demas and Harry. Rev. Leatherman passed away at Harry's home in Texas, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1944, at the age of 83. Anna passed away Nov. 23, 1954, at the age of 94, while staying at Harry's home at Rt. 2, Delta.

Demas' sister, Mary, married John Miller of Belmore, Ohio. Their family had 3 boys and 2 girls: Olive, Paul, Dorothy Mae, Opal, and Geahlen. The children all married and moved out of the area except Paul, who lives on his farm near Deshler, 0. His brother, Harry married Hazel McBride, and they had 3 sons, Ray, Cloyce, and Wayne.

Wm. Demas married Grace Ethel Mohler of Colton, Dec. 22, 1909. They had nine children: Vernam, Apr. 17, 1912; Lowell, Mar. 8, 1914; Josephine, May 27, 1916; Earl, Oct. 18, 1918; Elmer, Jan. 28, 1920; Dale, June 19, 1921; Alice, Mar. 11, 1923; Faye Inez, June 2, 1926; and Edgar Lloyd (Pete) May 23, 1928.

William Demas and Grace (Ethel Mohler) Leatherman Family taken in 1940. Front row: Faye Inez, Wm. Demas, father, Grace, mother, Alice; back row: Earl, Elmer, Edgar (Pete), Vernum, Lowell

They raised their family on a farm on the Henry-Fulton County line, where after much adversity during the depression, his boys became old enough to work, and he started raising strawberries. He became the outstanding strawberry grower in the area. In 1945 he sold his farm there and bought the 120 acre Croninger farm near Ratsville. He gave up farming and worked at the Devillbis Plant in Toledo for four years. Then in retirement Dad and Mom spent their winters in Bradenton, Florida, where they had built a home.

On Mar. 18, 1952, his wife, Grace passed away while in Florida, at the age of 61. It was a great loss to him and his family. After about two years of loneliness he found happiness again and married Sadie Pierce of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sept. 5, 1953. She died Oct., 1962. He then married Fern, a woman from Richmond, Indiana, in May, 1966. This marriage did not work out and they separated. He married Mildred Smith of Buffalo, N.Y., in April, 1967. They spent their summers in Ohio and winters in Florida until1970 when health made them choose the warmer climate. As Dad had suffered several severe heart attacks and realizing the end was near, he yearned to get back with the family in Henry County. He and Mildred dissolved their marriage in 1974. He returned to Ohio and made his home with his daughter, Faye near Malinta, 0., where he passed away Aug. 26, 1974, at the age of 87.

Vernan (Vernon), the oldest son of Demas Leatherman attended Bowling Green State University and after serving his country for 3 years in World War 2 in the Medical Corps of the Ninth Armored Division in Europe, came home and married Ruth Grossman from Continental, Ohio, on Aug. 11, 1946. They made their home in Liberty Center, 0., where they both taught school. Later on he taught at Clay in Oregon Township, Lucas County, until retirement in 1974. Jeanne Ellen is their only child, born Dec. 30, 1952. She married David Stilwell June 15, 1974, and lives in Findlay where she teaches in the Findlay School District.

Lowell married Winifred Wiler of Wauseon, Ohio, on Feb. 2, 1945, and made their home on his farm in Liberty Township. They are active citizens and successful farmers. Their six children are: Larry b. Sept. 2, 1945; James, Oct. 5, 1946; Lowynn Feb. 26, 1954; Wendy Apr. 5, 1955; Cathy, Jan. 22, 1957; and Peter Allen, Sept. 25, 1964.

Home built by Wm. Demas Leatherman in 1921-22 on Henry Fulton County Line four miles east of State Rt. 109, his wife Grace is standing on the porch.

Larry, after graduating from Liberty Center High School, and serving his country for 4 years in the Air Force, married Mary Lou Volkman of Wauseon Nov. 23, 1967. They reside near Dayton where he is a TV technician. Their three children are: Beth Ann, Feb. 27, 1971; Jody Marie, Aug. 17, 1969; and Jacob, Mar. 3, 1975.

James, after graduating from LCHS and serving his country for 4 years in the Air Force, married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Houts of Colton, Ohio, Jan. 13, 1968, and lives on one of his father's farms where he farms partners with his father, Lowell. They have three children: Jennifer b. Jan. 1, 1969; Andrew, May 16, 1970; and Benjamin, Aug. 2, 1972.

Lowynn and Wendy graduated from LCHS in 1972 and 1973, and now are attending Bowling Green State University, where Lowynn is majoring in English, and Wendy is planning a career in the field of political science. Cathy graduated from LCHS in 1975 and also plans to attend BGSU. All three girls were honor students, and Cathy and Lowynn were also cheerleaders.

Peter is in the fourth grade at Liberty Center.

Josephine died Aug. 23, 1917, at the age of 15 months.

Earl, after graduating from high school, served in the Army during World War II, and married Betty Deitrich of Neapolis, Ohio, on Aug. 13, 1940. He taught school in various districts of the area, after college at BGSU. He is now living in Sandusky, 0., and teaches in the Bellvue School System.

Their four children are: Mary, b. Apr. 18, 1941; John, Nov. 5, 1946; Rebecca, Nov. 27, 1951; and Robert, July 3, 1956.

Mary, after high school at Napoleon, Ohio, and beautician school married Paul Murray of Wauseon, Ohio. They live in Naples, Florida, where he is a barber. Their children are Todd, Tomm, and Lara.

John, after graduating at Napoleon, served with the Air Force for 4 years. Janet Reiser is his wife, and they were married Oct. 8, 1966. They live on W. Maumee St., in Napoleon, and John is employed at Gen. Motors in Defiance, Ohio. Their children are Mark Earl, June 4, 1968, and twins, Nick and Michelle, born Jan. 7, 1971.

Rebecca (Becky) is attending BGSU Firelands Branch, after graduating from Bellvue HS. On Sept. 27, 1974, she married Frank Hayes and they reside in Sandusky, 0.

Robert (Bob) graduated from Bellvue HS and is living at home.

Elmer graduated from LCHS and married Melba Arlene (Patsy) Saneholtz Nov. 1, 1951. They live in their country home in Liberty Township, where he is a successful farmer. They are active members in their church and community organizations. They have three children: Peggy Arlene, b. Mar. 2, 1953; Barbara Ann, Oct. 23, 1954; and Richard Alan (Dick) Apr. 23, 1957.

Peggy graduated from LCHS in 1971 and is completing her final year in elementary education at Bowling Green University in 1975. After graduating from LCHS as an honor student in 1972, Barbara is attending Ohio State University, where she is majoring in dental hygiene. Both Peggy and Barbara were band majorettes in high school.

Richard attended Four-County School, specializing in industrial welding and electrical education; he graduated from LCHS in 1975.

Dale died Aug. 25, 1921, at age 2 months.

Alice, after high school at Liberty Center, was employed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio., where she met and married Major Richard V. Wheeler of Boston, Mass., in June, 1951. After many tours of duty with the Air Force, they made their home in Torrence, California, where he retired as a Colonel in 1973. They have four children: Thomas, Susan, and twins, Timothy and Lynn.

Faye Inez, after graduating from LCHS, worked in Toledo, 0., as a stenographer for several years. She married Melvin Austermiller of Malinta June 16, 1946. They live on a farm north-west of Malinta, and have five children: William Albert, b. Nov. 28, 1952; Joseph Eugene, Oct. 12, 1956; Jeanne Fay, Jan. 10, 1960; (died); Jane Ellen, Aug. 13, 1961; David Lee, June 21, 1964 (died).

Edgar Lloyd (Pete), the youngest of the Demas Leatherman family and an athlete at Liberty Center High School graduated in 1947. The family was saddened two weeks later when on June 12th he was killed in a automobile accident at age 19.

Submitted by Elmer Leatherman