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George Foster Leet and Jessie Ann Leet
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)
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George F. Leet
Among the community of old settlers who have done so much for the development and progress of Somers Township, Kenosha County, and who are especially attached to this locality as their place of birth, is George Foster Leet, who resides on Section 10, where he was born February 15, 1838, son of Charles and Sarah B. (Wiard) Leet, natives of Connecticut, who were married in New York, and who became the parents of three children, viz: Mathew W. of St. Louis, Mo.; George F.; and Miss Sarah H., of Racine, Wisconsin.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Leet was a farmer in Chautauqua County, N.Y., and was the father of three sons, Charles, Warren, and Martin. The material grandparents were Mathew and Sallie Wiard, who had four daughters whom they reared in New York, viz: Sarah B., mother of our subject; Elmira, formerly wife of William Bly; Mrs. Dale and Mrs. Maxwell.
After the close of the War of 1812, in which he took part, Charles Leet kept a hotel at Delhi, N.Y. for some years, but in 1837 he came to Wisconsin and took up Government land in what was then Pike Township, but now is Somers Township, two farms of 160 acres each, in Section 10 and 11. He improved them both, and lived there until his death, which occurred Feb. 11, 1874. His wife survived him, and died October 23, 1877, aged seventy-seven years. In religious faith they were Episcopalians. In addition to the children of his second marriage, above noted, by a prior marriage Mr. Leet had these children: Joseph, Jane R., Robert, Clark, Mary, and Charles, all of whom are deceased. For a number of years he was Post Master here at a point known as Aurora, and for some years he served also as a Justice of the Peace.
George F. Leet grew up on the pioneer farm and obtained his education in the schools of his neighborhood. When he reached his majority he went to Waukegan where he engaged in Clerking for one year for Loveday & Dodge, grocers, and then entered the Army, enlisting in Company C, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, in which he served almost two years, being mustered out in 1865. His battery was stationed at Fort Donelson, and he was detailed mainly on scout duty. After the War he returned home and bought his father's farm, which now contains 198 acres. This he has greatly improved and it stands today as one of the most valuable in the county, well tilled, and most presentable in every way.
In 1860 Mr. Leet made a trip to California overland, where he engaged in mining for a year, when he returned, deciding that Kenosha County offered every chance to a young man who was willing to take advantage of it. His war experience followed.
On May 14, 1868, Mr. Leet was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Ann Smith, daughter of William and Janet (Park) Smith, and five children were born to this union, namely: Everett C. was drowned aged two years and four months; Fred W. resides at home, unmarried; Edward H., a machinist by trade, living in Milwaukee, married Lulu C. Rhodes; Nellie J. is a stenographer; and George P. also resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Leet are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican, and he was served two terms as a Member of the Town Board, and for about eight terms was on the School Board, and he served also as Town Treasurer for one term.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Leet was a native of Scotland, where he died; he was a farmer by occupation. His children numbered seven in all. Her maternal grandparents were William and Janet Park, and they died in Scotland, parents of six children. The parents of Mrs. Leet were natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and came to America in 1841, locating in Somers Township, where the father bought 100 acres of land, which was a part of the Charles Leet farm. The father died there in 1891, aged ninety years and over, and his wife died in January, 1887, aged ninety-one years. They were stanch Presbyterians. They had six children, four of whom grew to maturity: William P. Smith; George H., Jane M., wife of Hugh Gorton, of Racine; and Jessie A., wife of George F. Leet.
Mr. Leet is one of the older residents of this section in point of continuous residence, having spent sixty-seven years on the farm on which he was born.
(Source: Prominent Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1906)
George Leet Obituary
Elwin G. Leet wedding (son of George P. Leet)
Erma Bower Leet obituary (wife of George P. Leet)
More About Leet
1. The great-grandfather of George Foster Leet was Allen Leet of Saybrook, Middlesex County, Connecticut and his lineage was traced back to William Leete, Government of Connecticut, who owned what is now known as Leete's Island in Connecticut, together with large landed estates in Middlesex County. Allen Leet became the father of six children: Allen, who died at the age of three years; Warren; Martin; Nancy; Abigail; and Charles. It is through the last named that the line is traced down to George Foster Leet.
2. Charles Leet was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, August 28, 1793, and in New York, was married to Sarah B. Wiard, who was also born in Connecticut, and was a daughter of Matthew Wiard and a granddaughter of Matthew Wiard, Sr., whWiard, Jr., wedded Sally Roberts and lived in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut. It was there that the birth of Sarah Beecher Wiard occurred on the 21st of May, 1800. She was one of four daughters, the others being: Mrs. Eliza Dales; Mrs. Emma Maxwell; and Mrs. Elmira H. Bligh.
3. George Foster Leet died March 1, 1907. He was laid to rest in the Oakwood Cemetery.
(Source: City and County of Kenosha, Record of Settlement, by Frank H. Lyman, Vol. II, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916)
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Fred W. Leet
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
"Fred William Leet, age 78, passed away at Michael's Home in Silver Lake, following a long illness. Mr. Leet was born in Somers on October 28, 1872, and is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George F. Leet. Surviving are a brother, George P. Leet of Somers. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County."
(Source: Racine Journal July 10, 1951)
In the News
Ton and Half of Cabbage Stolen
Thieves Raid Field in Somers Township, Secure Large Supply of Cabbage
A few heads of cabbage might not have been missed but when thieves raided his field in Somers Township and cut out about a ton and a half, George Leet, the proprietor, immediately notified the sheriff's office here.
Deputy Sherriff N.J. Otto investigated. He reported that the thieves had apparently been making systematic raids in the cabbage field, hauling away large amounts of the vegetable each time. The total loot, he said, would probably total at least a ton and a half.
(Source: Racine Journal August 30, 1934)
Fred W. Leet trapped one of the largest minks in Pike Woods last week.
(Source: Racine Daily Feb. 8, 1899)
Sarah H. Leet Obituary (daughter of Charles and Sarah Leet)
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