My Genealogy Hound

Robert N. Leith, farmer, residing one-half mile northeast from Sharon Station, was born January 13, 1846, in Cooper County, Mo., and is the son of John and Mary (Walker) Leith, natives of Maryland, born July 5, 1807, and Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1814, respectively. The father followed farming in his native State, and in 1828 emigrated to Cooper County, where he was married in 1829. In 1858 he and family emigrated to Polk County, Mo., and settled about four miles from Bolivar, where he now resides. His wife moved with her parents to Cooper County, Mo., in 1828, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children, four now living, and Robert N. being the youngest. He came to Polk County with his parents in 1858, passed his boyhood days in that county, and had the advantages of a good ordinary school education. January 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, as a private, and served in the ranks only for about one year, when he was detailed as clerk in the colonel’s office at Springfield, and served until the close of the war. He was six months in the quartermaster’s office, and was mustered out at Springfield, March 27, 1865. After the war he returned to Polk County, and entered Bolivar Academy, where he remained one year, and then worked in the probate judge’s office about one year after leaving school. He served in the various offices of the county from 1869 to 1875, viz.: county clerk’s office, circuit clerk’s office and recorder’s office, and is one of the representative men of the county. November 23, 1875, he married Pattie D. Graveley, a native of Cedar County, Mo., born in 1855, and who grew to womanhood there. Her early school advantages were good, having attended the Bolivar Academy three years, and also attended school at Stockton. Five children were born to this union: Nannie L., Robert N., Jr., Mary Alice, Joseph F. and Mattie E. Mrs. Leith is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an excellent woman. In 1876 Mr. Leith moved to Orleans Postoffice, and engaged in merchandising for two years, and then in 1878 he moved on a farm, where he has remained ever since. He has taken an active part in school matters, and in fact has manifested a decided interest in all matters relating to the good of the county. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a bright, enterprising citizen, and universally esteemed.