My Genealogy Hound

ABRAHAM P. LEITER, a well-known agriculturist and prominent citizen, has been a resident of his home upon section 17, Bertrand Township, Berrien County, for about twenty-seven years. During this time he has devoted himself to the cultivation of the farm, now a productive and valuable property, yearly yielding handsome returns for the labor expended upon it. Mr. Leiter was born in Perry County, Pa., August 4, 1835. The paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, but early emigrated to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, the home of the succeeding two generations, the paternal grandfather, John Leiter, and the father of our subject. Christian Leiter, having been born, reared and married in the Quaker State. The mother of our subject, Barbara (Page) Leiter, and the maternal grandfather, Abraham Page, were also natives of Pennsylvania, their ancestors having been loyal subjects of the German Empire. The parents of Mr. Leiter married in their native State, and resided at first in Perry County, and afterward made their home in Juniata County, remaining in that locality from 1845 until their death, both passing away at about sixty years of age.

Eleven children gathered about the fireside of the old Pennsylvania home, six sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to reach mature years. The sisters and brothers in order of their birth were Samuel, Margaret, Christian, Barbara, Catherine, Abraham, Anna, John, Jacob, Elizabeth and Joseph. Our subject, when twelve years old, removed with his parents to Juniata County and completed his studies in the district schools of that part of the State. Reared upon a farm and early trained in the duties of agriculture, Abraham P. Leiter was only ten years old when he began to plow, and from that time until twenty-two years of age constantly assisted in the daily round of care. For the first year’s work after attaining his majority he received from his father the gift of a horse, his sole capital in life. In 1859 he journeyed to Indiana, and remained for a time near Elkhart, working on a farm. At the expiration of three months he came to Berrien County, Mich., and worked by the day on the homestead of W. R. Rough. He returned to Pennsylvania in the fall of the same year, and for a twelvemonth farmed for his father, receiving one-sixth of the crop raised.

In December, 1859, Abraham P. Leiter and Mary Shetterley were united in marriage, but the estimable wife survived but ten months. Our subject was a second time wedded, in 1862 marrying Miss Sarah Messner, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born June 5, 1836. They settled on the old homestead and remained amid the familiar scenes of childhood until 1866, in which year they came to Michigan and located on David Rough’s farm, in the eastern part of the township. The same fall Mr. Leiter bought ninety acres where he now resides. Steadily accumulating, he owns one hundred and sixty finely-improved acres in one body, as well as other excellent property, among which is a lot of ten acres situated in Galien Township.

Seven sturdy sons, all now living, have blessed the home of our subject and his good wife. Christian L., named in honor of his paternal grandfather, is the eldest-born. Then follow Wilson W., Edward F., Elmer E., Hiram E., John H. and William A. These young men, reared carefully and by nature industrious and self-reliant, have a bright future before them and cannot fail to be worthy of their honored and useful ancestry.

In political affiliation Mr. Leiter is a Republican, and in religious conviction is connected with the United Brethren Church, of which religious denomination he has been a consistent member ever since he was seventeen years of age. During this long period he has been active in good work and has occupied with efficient fidelity various offices in the church, having been Class-leader, Steward, Trustee and sexton. Our subject has been, in fact, the leading member and most liberal supporter of the United Brethren Church in the township, and through his upright life and sterling integrity of character has won the lasting regard and thorough confidence of his fellow-townsmen and a wide acquaintance throughout the county.