My Genealogy Hound

CLAY LEAMING, farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, post-office Avilla, is a native of Indiana, born in Tippecanoe county, Sept. 2, 1840, and was there reared to manhood and received a thorough English education. He commenced a collegiate course at the Stockwell Collegiate Institute in 1860. During the excitement incident to raising troops for the Union army, his patriotism took precedence of all other interests, consequently he laid classics aside for the time being, and enlisted as a private in Company B, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, May 7, 1861, the first regiment of three years’ men to leave the state. Participated in the battles of Elk Water, West Va., and Green Briar, Shiloh, Miss., and from there followed the fortunes of General Buel in all the well-known experiences of that officer up to the time of his relief by General Rosecrans. In January, 1863, the regiment was mounted, and their subsequent service was as mounted infantry. Engaged in scouting, raids, and skirmishes innumerable, in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Fought dismounted at the battle of Chickamauga, and was in several cavalry fights with the rebel General Wheeler, some of them very spirited; viz., Shelbyville and Farmington, Tenn. Was mustered out as sergeant, in which capacity he had served about one year, June 24, 1864, and in September of the same year he entered the Iron City Commercial College, at Pittsburgh, Penn., from which institution he graduated. Moved to Iowa county, Iowa, in the spring of 1865, and engaged at farming and remained there four seasons. Became a citizen of Jasper county, Mo., in 1869, purchasing eighty acres of land, where his residence is now located, to which he has added by subsequent purchase, until his farm now consists of 240 acres, well improved, good house, two good substantial barns, and is well fenced; about two and a half miles in osage orange hedge. He is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and markets from 50 to 75 head of cattle and from 40 to 50 head of swine annually. He has been prosperous beyond the lot of most men, owing in great part to his correct business knowledge, strict attention to and thorough management of his farm and affairs. His father and the rest of the family came to Jasper county in 1869, and died here in 1879. Mr. Leaming is well and favorably known throughout the county, and recorded as one of Jasper county’s solid citizens. He has never married. His mother, a lady of seventy-two years, presides over his home. A younger sister is also a member of his household.