LEIB, Baron Crane

LEIB, CRANE, HEDGES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 4/12/2015 at 09:53:47

History of Iowa County And Its People
By James C. Dinwiddie
Vol. II
The S.J. Clarke Publ. Co.
Chicago 1915

BARON C. LEIB

Baron C. Leib is one of the leading business men of Marengo and conducts a grocery store that would be a credit to a city of metropolitan size. He was born here on the 1st of February, 1877, and is a son of E. Newton and Ella M. (Crane) Leib, natives respectively of Ohio and of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The father was a soldier in the Union army, enlisting in the Ninety sixth Ohio Infantry in April, 1865, on his twenty first birthday. He served until peace was restored and then came west, locating at Marengo, Iowa, where he founded the business now owned by our subject. He was very successful and gained the full confidence of his fellow citizens. He passed away on the 15th of May, 1905, at the age of sixty one years.

Baron C. Leib grew to manhood in Marengo and is indebted for his education to the public and high schools of this place, being graduated from high school with the class of 1894. He then entered his father's store as an employee and learned the business in all of its phases. After the death of his father he purchased it from the estate, and in December, 1911, removed the stock from the old stand in the Eddy building, where it was located continuously for thirty four years, to its present quarters in the new Gode building. Mr. Leib spared no thought nor expense in fitting up the new home of his store and it is now one of the most modern grocery establishments in the state. He carries a complete of stock of staple and fancy groceries and takes great pains to secure the best in the market for his customers. His name has come to stand for high quality in groceries and also for reasonable prices and courteous treatment, and in the opinion of many people in the county he is in truth "Leib, the grocer." His business has grown steadily with the passing years and he is now one of the most substantial men of Marengo.

Mr. Leib was married in 1901 to Miss Bessie L. Hedges, also a native of Marengo and a daughter of Judge C. Hedges, who for many years sat upon the circuit bench but who has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Leib have a son, Mark H., who was born on the 26th of April, 1901,

Mr. Leib is a republican in his political affiliations. He is well known in local Masonic circles, belonging to Marengo Lodge, No. 114, F. & A.M.; and Jerusalem Chapter, No. 72, R.A.M. He is also identified with Marengo Lodge, No. 31, K.P. He is one of the most prominent members of the Commercial Club and is always foremost in the promotion of public enterprises. In developing his own splendid business he has done much to promote the commercial growth of his city, but he also gives much time and thought directly to the furtherance of the community interests. There is no more valued citizen of Marengo than Mr. Leib and his friends are many.