Leroy J. Whitney

WHITNEY, CHRISTIE, BALDWIN

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/15/2011 at 07:54:05

Among the highly respected residents of Spencer, Clay county, Iowa, is Leroy J. Whitney, who, after an active and successful business career of many years here, is now retired and spending the evening in his life well earned leisure. He is also a member of that rapidly, diminishing band of patriots, who, in the early '60s offered their services, and their lives, if need be, to their county. A native of New York state, he was born on the 15th of March, 1850, and is a son of R. L. and Louise (Moser) Whitney, also natives of the Empire state. In 1857 they moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, where the father engaged in the grocery business until 1870, when he went to Kansas and engaged in farming, he and his wife dying in that state. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are living.

Leroy J. Whitney was reared in Illinois, where he attended the public schools, and at an early age of fourteen years he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served with this command until the close of the war and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. On his return home he learned the trade of harnessmaking, at which he was employed until 1881, when he came to Spencer, Iowa, and engaged in harnessmaking on his own account. He was successful and carried on the business for forty years, or until 1921, when he sold out and retired from active business affairs.

Mr. Whitney has been married twice, first, in 1880, to Miss Alice J. Christie, who was a native of Wisconsin. To them was born a son, G. C., who now lives in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Alice Whitney died in 1905, being laid to rest in the Riverside cemetery, and on June 16, 1909, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. Baldwin. Mr. Whitney has always given his political support to the republican party and has taken an active and effective part in the public affairs of his community, having served three years as a member of the school board and two terms as mayor of Spencer. He is a member of Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic at Spencer, of which he is commander, and of Spencer Lodge, No. 247, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs and of which he was secretary for twenty years. His standard is a high one and he has always maintained it faithfully, being universally recognized as a substantial citizen, of lofty character, sturdy integrity and true to his ideals, so that he well deserves the exalted place which he holds in public esteem.

Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.