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December 29, 2012

1906 May 14 - Leeton, Missouri Incorporated

Leeton Museum Link
Leeton Book A Small Town's Sacrifice on Amazon link

C. A. Lentz Harness & Saddlery Goods, Leeton, Missouri
Then and Now Next to the Opera House from 1901

Opera House,  102 S. Main, Leeton, Missouri from 1906





Max Swisher, Founder of Swisher Mower, Warrensburg, Missouri




C. A. Lentz Harness Saddlery Goods
South Main Street, Leeton, Missouri
C.A Lentz Harness Saddlery Shop Today
Leeton, Missouri
Leeton Plat Map
Street Fair View, Leeton, MO 

Dunkard Church, Leetong, MO


Leeton Depot kit features:
The pagoda style or flared roof eaves along with the bay window on the front make this a unique, but very attractive station. This style of roof was an inexpensive way to add interest to an otherwise common structure and was used by the Rock Island and several other railroads. At 24' wide x 40' long this is a small size wood combination passenger and freight station. The prototype originally included a loading ramp that was removed in the depot's later days. Our kit includes the ramp and may be built with or without it. The prototype had exterior walls of lap siding with a wainscot of novelty siding. Although this structure is based on a Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific (Rock Island) Standard Depot design this style of structure was also found on other railroads. The prototype was located in Leeton, Missouri. 
Kit features laser-cut floor, sub-roof, interior and exterior walls with tab and slot connections. Also includes laser-cut peel-n-stick doors, windows, window glazing and roofing for easy assembly. Peel-n-stick trim comes in one piece for each side of the structure and the bay windows making for a fast and precise application of all the detailed trim work. Laser-cut wood loading ramp included. Also includes signs and cast metal chimney.
N scale kit dimensions: (structure) 1.80" x 3.00" (ramp) .60" x 1.75".
HO scale kit dimensions: (structure) 3.30" x 5.50", (ramp) 1.00" x 3.25".








Leeton, Missouri Plat Map 1898



Morrow House, Leeton, Missouri


Leeton, Missouri Mineral Creek Church 1900
Comparatively, Leeton is a 'young town', established in 1896 when the MKT RR made its way west toward Kansas. It grew quickly and became 'the place' to grow businesses, build homes and prosper. Soon the Rock Island RR was built, passing parallel to the MKT tracks making the town a true late bloomer. Optimism prevailed with more and more new shops and crafts appearing in the area of the second block north of the present day grain elevator. The Morrow House Hotel was one of a number of business establishments located in the first block north of the existing elevator...in the area of the present day city park and across the street to the east. I've attached an early picture looking west at the MKT depot from present day Highway 2. In the distance and on the left is the Rock Island depot and water tower for the steam engines. Note not a tree in sight as trees didn't appear until after the prairie was plowed.
A final picture taken in Eldon, Missouri the last day Rock Island offered passenger service. Shown are the four train crewmen and a dignitary, possibly with his grandson. Thanks go to my railroad historian friend Ken Bird for the photo and Floyd Koefer who was a railroader familiar with this engine willing to share information. The little engine had a standard transmission with gears and a clutch. On hot summer days I remember seeing the side doors just behind the cab open to prevent over heating. The picture was taken to document the last day of service as the train headed west toward Kansas City from Eldon. This was in the pre-shatter proof glass era, note the window guards to protect the engineer from prairie chickens and tree limbs, etc. I just noticed the picture is dated April 11, 1959. Larry DesCombes


Larry DesCombes Shannon DesCombes Larsen and The Rock Island RR also offered passenger service. The cost for a ticket to Windsor was 35 cents and I made the trip a number of times...over in the morning at about 9:30 and back shortly after 3:15 after it had made its way to Belle (I believe). Most won't appreciate, but there is electronic access to so much info today that is taken for granted...something my generation never had...any town other than our own was new and bore investigation. I would spend the day there walking and talking and making new acquaintances, then be at the depot to catch my ride home. The little diesel engine was combined as a mail and freight unit, followed by a passenger car. Local hatcheries shipped thousands of baby chickens from there daily and I remember the smell, newly hatched chicks smell clean and fresh. I'm unsure when the Rock Island discontinued passenger service...perhaps late '50s ? I've found a couple of pictures in my files of 'the little train' that helped open up the outside world to me. I'm unsure if the photo was taken at Leeton or Ionia...no date.
Leeton, MO Football ca 1915
Mineral Creek Bridge, Leeton, MO ca 1900



Place name: 
Sardis Bethlehem Church, Primitive Baptists 
Description: 
Organized in 1839. New House built in Leeton in 1915. This combines two Bible names. Sardis was one of the seven churches of Revelation (Rev. 3:1) and Bethlehem was the town where Christ was born (Matthew 2:1). (Cockrell's HIST. JOHNSON 1918, 411) 
Source: 
Johnson, Bernice E. "Place Names In Six Of The West Central Counties Of Missouri." M.A. thesis., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1933. 


Leeton, Mo Lumber Co.

Source: "History of Johnson County, Missouri" by Ewing Cockrell, 1918
Transcribed by Karen Hammer -2009 
LEETON
Leeton. (By Mrs. Mary B. Hamacher.) Leeton. one of the important trading points in the southern part of the county, located on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas and the Rock Island railroad, which parallel each other through this township, came into existence with the advent of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad. The landowners here gave $715 for a depot and four miles of right of way and finally prevailed.
As soon as the location of the station was decided upon, J. J. Lee, H. E. Fewel and R. L. Grinstead purchased about forty-five acres of land and laid out two hundred fifty-eight lots. The plat was recorded October 21, 1895.
The town his wide streets with concrete walks, trees, and parking on either side, unusually well kept lawns, and attractive homes.
There are five churches: The Missionary Baptist. Primitive Baptist, Methodist. Christian and Brethren: two banks, newspaper, electric light plant and all lines of business.
The population in 1910 was 420. A consolidated district high school was established by a vote of four to one.
The town was incorporated May 14, 1906. The following is a complete list of town officials: 1906-08, A.. C. Todd: 1909-10. H. E. Fewel: 1911. A. C. Todd: 1912-13, Henly Stacy.
Mayors.-1914-15, C. A. Baker: 1916-17. S. R. Ward.
Trustees.-1906, W. T. Baker. H. E. Fewel. L. W. Fowler. C. A. Leutz; 1907, W. T. Baker, H. E. Fewel. Henly Stacy. David Mohler; 1908. C. A. Baker. \Y. T. Baker. Henly Stacy, S. R. Ward: 1909. C. A. Baker; J. M. Lowry, Henly Stacy: 1910. C. A. Baker. J. M. Lowry, Henly Stacy. A. C. Todd: 1911, C. A. Baker. H. E. Fewel, Henly Stacy, G. L. Hall: 1912-13. C. A. Baker. H. E. Fewel. S. R. Ward. G. L. Hall; 1914-15. Henly Stacy. H. E. Fewel. S. R. Ward. G. L. Hall; 1916. Henly Stacy. H. E. Fewel. W. H. Walker. G. L. Hall: 1917. Henly Stacy. H. E. Fewel, W. H. Walker, P. N. Douglass.
Clerks.-1906. S. J. Major: 1908-11. S. B. Sturgis: 1912-13. S. J. Major: 1914-17. Jay T. Kennedy.
Collectors.-1906-08. C. F. Gilchrist: 1909, J. M. Ward: 1910. Frank Callison: 1912-14. S. J. Major: 1915. Jay T. Kennedy.
Marshals.-1906. J. C. McMillan: 1907, N. C. Jerome; 1908, J. M. Lowry: 1909, G. F. Callison; 1910. Frank Callison: 1911. G. F. Callison; 1913.
J. J. Stacy: 1914-15. R. P. King.
Treasurer.-1912-14. S. J. Major; 1915-17, Jay T. Kennedy.
Attorney.-1913-15, S. B. Sturgis.
Street Commissioners.-1906, J. C. McMillan: 1907. David Mohler; 1908. Jacob Laughman: 1910-15. W. W. Lamar.
Health Officer.-1907. Dr. L. W. Fowler; 1909. G. D. Mustek; 1910-12. Dr. E. Y. Pare: 1913-16, Dr. E. Y. Pare.
Johnson County, Missouri Genealogy Trails
© 2006 - 2008 by Genealogy Trails - All Rights Reserved - With full rights reserved for original submitters. Town Business's for Leeton 1896 Source Leeton Past and Present Transcribed for the WWW by M.Antal(c)1999 

Zink Brothers Clothing Store R. J. Hurley Lumber Company 
Baker and Jones General Merchandise (Michigan salt $1 per barrel) Theiman Hardware Co. J. J. General Merchandise 
J. C. Beedy Lumber Co. Bank of Leeton 
Wood and Sheburn Livery Stable 
Daughtery and Bunger Carpenters W. L. Caywood - painter 
Blacksmith - W. C. Marr F. Humbered Lunch Room 
Millinery, The Misses Vaughns Leeton House W. C. Marr 
J. F. Land, Physician Hotel Leeton William Griffith 
R. R. Wall, Physician and Surgeon
Real Estate, Insurance, Notary Public M. A. Nelson Druggist, H. G. Bergaman 
Butcher Ship, Smaltz and Draper Harness Goods, C. A. Lentz Businesses 1923 
The Leeton Times
Wm. Cox, President; P. W. Baker, Cashier 
C. B. Koons and L. R. Kenney, Kenney Brothers Leeton Lumber Co. Leeton Oil Co. 
Hall Hardware Leeton Mercantile Bank of Leeton Farmers Bank 
C. B. Koons - Drugs and Drug Sundries Stone Tire Chain Fastener Co. 
Barbee Poultry House Leeton Cash Store Bartholomew Garage 
City Barber Shop - Charles A. Class Farmers Produce House Farmers Co-op Co. 
Lynne Venable - Millenery 
Brooks and Meyers - Furniture and Undertaking Leeton Elevator Farmer Produce Exchange 
C. C. Cordry - Groceries Wyatt Poultry House S. S. Smith - Blacksmith 
M. K. Bronaugh - Groceries 
Cordry and McMillen - Restaurant 
H. H. McMillen - Candies, nuts, cigars, lunches Businesses - About 1930 and Earlier 
Preceded by Roy Bartholomew and George Akers Southside Garage - John Callison 
Followed by John Walker and Earl Paxton Shy's Garage 
Brooks and Meyers, Undertaker and Furniture to J. L. Wallace Barber Shop - C. S. Black Harness - C. A. Lentz 
Rent Barbee Building, August 1, 1929 Dr. C. E. Bennett of Warrensburg Peoples Theater 
(in Leeton for 9 yrs)January, 1929 J. C. Hastin (buy Cash Store from G. S. Moore) Leeton Mercantile 
Downing Brothers of Chilhowee to Leeton October 9, 1924 H. W. Stacy, Jr., Mamie Neil, Lester Wyatt from Henley 
Stacy., Sr., Edwin Hausam (oldest established firm in Leeton) April, 1929 Dr. L. W. Ludwig Dental Office over Leeton Bank, August 30, 1923 Downing Garage Busineses 1933 
Restaurant Leeton Mercantile Co. - H. W. Stacy, Jr. 
C. B. Koons - Drug Store Bank of Leeton 
Downing Motor Co. - Walter Downing Old and New Cars and Car Repairs 
R. A. Brauninger - Undertaking Walter Wyat - Seed and Feeds Sullins Hardware 
Phillips Service Station Leeton Lumber C. - Alonzo Reed Southside Garage - Earl Paxton 
Farmer's Produce Exchange
Van Winkle's Service Station - Forrest and Mildred Van Winkle Wyatt and Chism - Grocery 
Businesses 1953 White Eagle Oil Corporation - Glen and Alice Barnes 
Leeton Lumber and Hardware - Eugene Dritt Paul's Feed and Produce - Paul and Gwen Marolf Walter Wyatt Elevator Bank of Leeton 
Seely's Grocery - Glen and Lyda Seely Glenn Miller - Show and Harness Repair Shop
Irene Cumpton - Beauty Shop 
The Brauningers - Undertaking Barber Shop - Ira Wycoff 
Walker and Caldwell - Gas, Oil, Greases, etc. Wilson Garage Downing Motors- New and Used Cars and Repairs 
Sexson's Service Station and Cafe - Jim and Elsie Sexson Otten's - G. F. Grocery McElhaney Hatchery Harry Stone - Egg Co. (wholesale) 
Gayle's Cafe Paxton's General Shop
Henry E. Kreisel - Electric Shoe Shop.

John J. Lee, one of Johnson county's most distinguished pioneers, is one of the founders of Leeton, Missouri. He was born December 27, 1842
in Ohio, son of John N. and Eliza (Rittenhouse) Lee. The Lee family moved to Ohio from Virginia, thence to Missouri in 1867. General Robert
When nineteen years of age, J. J. Lee enlisted in the Civil War, serv-
E. Lee, the great Southern leader in the Civil War, traced his lineage back to the same ancestors as J. J. Lee, the subject of this review. ing with the Union army with Company F, Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry.
out. Mr. Lee participated in twenty battles: Perryville, Kentucky;
At the time of the organization of the regiment, there was a total of nine hundred sixty-seven men belonging and at the close of the war there were only three hundred twenty-eight men remaining to be mustered Stone's River, Tenn.; Missionary Ridge, Tenn.; Adairsville, Georgia;
Georgia; Springhill, Tenn.; Franklin, Tenn.; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Dallas, Georgia; Newhope Church, Georgia; Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peachtree Creek, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Rockyface Ridge, Georgia; Dalton, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Lovejoys Station, Mr. Lee was in active and continuous service three years and was must-
ing the sod. He planted forty acres of the place in wheat and raised
ered out and honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. In 1867, J. J. Lee came to Johnson county, Missouri and purchased eighty acres of land in Post Oak Township and engaged in farming and stock raising. At the time of the purchase, this farm was entirely virgin sod and driving a yoke of oxen, Mr. Lee was employed for months break-
were united in marriage June 14, 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been
twenty bushels of grain to the acre, which he sold for two dollars a bushel. With the proceeds from his wheat crop, Mr. Lee purchased calves and thus entered the stock business, soon owning a large heard of fine cattle. J. J. Lee and Bella J. Wylie, born March 9, 1842, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph Wylie, Pennsylvania, born four children: Mrs. Vinnie Meyer, Lexington, Mo.; Charles A.,
drawn by Mr. Lee. The rooms are all large and airy and well lighted
Greeley, Colorado; W. H., Sedalia, Mo.; and Mrs. Stella L. Race, of Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have twelve grandchildren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Lee has been a trustee for many years. The Lee home is a handsome, modern residence, an imposing structure of eight rooms, which was built in 1905 in Leeton, according to plans and specifications and there is both a front and back stairway in the house. Everything
were added. Mr. Lee conducted a general store for many years at Bur-
about the home is nicely and conveniently arranged. The Lee residence is one of the beautiful homes in Johnson county. Mr. Lee has just completed a cyclone cellar, which is well constructed of concrete. In 1895, J. J. Lee, J. Ransom Grinstead, and H. E. Fewel laid out the town of Leeton. The original plat of the present flourishing little city included eighty acres of land, but within a short time, sixty acres more nett Station and later, a store located one-half miles west of the
zens, above mentioned establishment. He and his sons were associated in
business at this store until 1906, when they sold the place of business and Mr. Lee has made his home in Leeton ever since. In addition to his residence in Leeton, Mr. Lee is the owner of 120 acres of land adjacent to the city, and a cotton plantation in Oklahoma, which comprises 160 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are highly esteemed in Johnson county and they are numbered among the county's best and most valuable citi- ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing non-commercial entities, as long as this message free information on the Internet, data may be used by remains on all copied material. These electronic or for presentation by other persons or organizations. pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit Persons or organizations desiring to use this material Archives by: <> for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Penny Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>

Town Business's for Leeton 1896
Source Leeton Past and Present
Transcribed for the WWW by M.Antal(c)1999

Zink Brothers Clothing Store
R. J. Hurley Lumber Company
Baker and Jones General Merchandise (Michigan salt $1 per barrel)
Theiman Hardware Co.
J. J. General Merchandise
J. C. Beedy Lumber Co.
Bank of Leeton
Daughtery and Bunger Carpenters
W. L. Caywood - painter
F. Humbered Lunch Room
Wood and Sheburn Livery Stable
Blacksmith - W. C. Marr
Leeton House W. C. Marr
Hotel Leeton William Griffith
J. F. Land, Physician
R. R. Wall, Physician and Surgeon
Millinery, The Misses Vaughns
Druggist, H. G. Bergaman
Harness Goods, C. A. Lentz
Butcher Ship, Smaltz and Draper
Real Estate, Insurance, Notary Public M. A. Nelson

Businesses 1923

The Leeton Times
   C. B. Koons and L. R. Kenney, Kenney Brothers
Leeton Lumber Co.
Leeton Oil Co.
Leeton Mercantile
Bank of Leeton
   Wm. Cox, President; P. W. Baker, Cashier
Farmers Bank
Hall Hardware
Stone Tire Chain Fastener Co.
Leeton Cash Store
Bartholomew Garage
Barbee Poultry House
Farmers Produce House
City Barber Shop - Charles A. Class
Farmers Co-op Co.
C. B. Koons - Drugs and Drug Sundries
Brooks and Meyers - Furniture and Undertaking
Leeton Elevator
Farmer Produce Exchange
Wyatt Poultry House
S. S. Smith - Blacksmith
C. C. Cordry - Groceries
Lynne Venable - Millenery
M. K. Bronaugh - Groceries
H. H. McMillen - Candies, nuts, cigars, lunches

Businesses - About 1930 and Earlier

Southside Garage - John Callison
   Preceded by Roy Bartholomew and George Akers
   Followed by John Walker and Earl Paxton
Cordry and McMillen - Restaurant
Shy's Garage
Barber Shop - C. S. Black
Harness - C. A. Lentz
Dr. C. E. Bennett of Warrensburg
   Rent Barbee Building, August 1, 1929
Peoples Theater
J. C. Hastin (buy Cash Store from G. S. Moore)
Brooks and Meyers, Undertaker and Furniture to J. L. Wallace
   (in Leeton for 9 yrs)January, 1929
Leeton Mercantile
   H. W. Stacy, Jr., Mamie Neil, Lester Wyatt from Henley
   Stacy., Sr., Edwin Hausam (oldest established firm in Leeton)
   April, 1929
Dr. L. W. Ludwig
   Dental Office over Leeton Bank, August 30, 1923
Downing Garage
   Downing Brothers of Chilhowee to Leeton October 9, 1924

Busineses 1933

Restaurant
Leeton Mercantile Co. - H. W. Stacy, Jr.
Bank of Leeton
D. owning Motor Co. - Walter Downing
   Old and New Cars and Car Repairs
Walter Wyat - Seed and Feeds
Sullins Hardware
R. A. Brauninger - Undertaking
Leeton Lumber C. - Alonzo Reed
Southside Garage - Earl Paxton
Phillips Service Station
Farmer's Produce Exchange
C. B. Koons - Drug Store
Wyatt and Chism - Grocery
White Eagle Oil Corporation - Glen and Alice Barnes

Businesses 1953

Paul's Feed and Produce - Paul and Gwen Marolf
Walter Wyatt Elevator
Leeton Lumber and Hardware - Eugene Dritt
Bank of Leeton
Seely's Grocery - Glen and Lyda Seely
Van Winkle's Service Station - Forrest and Mildred Van Winkle
Glenn Miller - Show and Harness Repair Shop
The Brauningers - Undertaking
Barber Shop - Ira Wycoff
Walker and Caldwell - Gas, Oil, Greases, etc.
Wilson Garage
Downing Motors- New and Used Cars and Repairs
Otten's - G. F. Grocery
Sexson's Service Station and Cafe - Jim and Elsie Sexson
McElhaney Hatchery
Harry Stone - Egg Co. (wholesale)
Irene Cumpton - Beauty Shop
Gayle's Cafe
Paxton's General Shop
Henry E. Kreisel - Electric Shoe Shop.