My Genealogy Hound

LEFFARD H. PURSELL, Manager of the O. S. Kelly Company, at Springfield, has been connected with this enterprise since the year 1865, and is otherwise recognized as one of its most prominent citizens. He is well-to-do, financially, and occupies an elegant brick residence on West High Street, which, with its surroundings, forms one of the attractive homes of the city. Both socially and in business circles he maintains an enviable position, and is contributing his quota to the material welfare of the city.

A native of New Village, Warren County, N. J., the subject of this notice was born January 15, 1842, and is the son of William and Mary (Hance) Pursell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and who spent their last years in Lancaster, Ohio. William Pursell was a blacksmith by trade, and a manufacturer of wheat drills. He left his native State in 1856, removing to Lancaster, Ohio, where he carried on the manufacture of wheat drills and other implements up to the time of his death. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to New Jersey early in life. The wife and mother was born in the latter State, and died during the sojourn of the family in Lancaster, Ohio. The household consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living, our subject being the youngest son born.

Mr. Pursell, of this notice, acquired his education in the public schools, and also assisted his father in the factory until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then entered the Union Army as a member of Company I, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, his regiment being under the command of Col. John M. Connel, and the division commanded by Gen. Thomas. They joined the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Pursell took part in many of the battles in which his regiment engaged, participating in some of the most important of the war, namely: Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and others of lesser note. At Chickamaugua, Sunday, September 20, 1863, he was wounded, which disabled him however only for a short time. In October, 1864, at the expiration of his term of enlistment he received an honorable discharge, and returned to his home in Lancaster.

Desirous of a further knowledge of business methods, Mr. Pursell now repaired to Pittsburg, Pa., and took a full course in the Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1865. In February, that year, he emigrated to Springfield, this State, and entered the employ of McLennan & Bro. manufacturers of threshers, as book-keeper, and with them he remained until the change of the firm, and was retained by their successors, McClennan, Cushman & Rinhart; Rinhart and Ballard were their successors, and he continued with the latter as a junior partner until 1882, when they sold out to the Springfield Engine & Thresher Company, which afterward was changed to the O. S. Kelly Company, which was organized in the early part of 1890, with Mr. Pursell as manager. He is also a stockholder in the business which is now confined to the manufacturing of threshers and engines.

The subject of this notice was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Myers, in April, 1868, at the residence of the bride’s father in Springfield. Mrs. Pursell is a native of Maryland, and the daughter of Nimrod and Mary (Lushbaugh) Myers. She remained with her parents until her marriage, and is now the mother of four children — Charles, Harry, Estella and Mabel.

Mr. Pursell spends very little time over politics, although keeping himself posted upon event of general interest, and giving his support to the Republican party. He is a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M.; Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T.; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 51. He represented the Third Ward in the city council one term. The family residence is pleasantly located on West High Street.