Leonard was born April 18, 1871, near Attica, New York. When he was nine
     years old he moved with his parents to Wabaunsee County, Kansas. He lived
     there six years. In 1886, the family moved to Barber County, Kansas, and
     they settled about 16 miles southwest of Medicine Lodge. Leonard attended
     school close by through the fourth grade. In 1893 Leonard made the Cherokee
     Run.
       In 1896 he met and married Elaine Griffen. Elaine was making her home with
     her Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Wheat. Elane was the sister to Sammuel  
     Griffen, a well known attorney of Medicine Lodge.
       Their first home was a sod house near his parents' place. Their first two
     children were born there. Emma in 1897 who died in infancy, and Roy in 1899.
     Soon afterwards they bought a farm one quarter of a mile north of the Lasswell
     Store and Eagle School House.
       Five children were born here. Grace in 1900, Mayme in 1902, Charlie in 1903,
     Myrtle in 1906, and Lee in 1908.
       In the early 1900's Leonard did custom harvesting with horse powered threshing
     machines. He made many trips to the Salt Fork River near Freedom, Oklahoma, 
     for livestock salt. When salt was not available he brought back Cedar posts.
       Leonard and Elaine loved to travel. They made their first trip to Colorado
     Springs in a Model T Ford. The trip took three days. After their retirement
     they spent several winters in the Rio Grande Valley.
       Leonard purchased the first Model A truck and first Model A car in Medicine
     Lodge. It took all day to make a trip to town for supplies with the wagon
     before the cars came in .
       Elaine was the first member and one of the organizers of the Thursday Thimble
     Club. The women would prepare food and do quilting and the men would visit
     and play cards. The Club disbanded in the 1940's.
       In the late 1920's Leonard had the misfortune of losing one of his eyes in 
     a hunting accident with his brother-in-law, Sam Griffen, while they were
     quail hunting.
       Leonard was in the first Indian Peace Treaty Pageant in 1927. He participated
     in every one thereafter until his death. His grandson, Robert Ott, is carrying
     out the tradition his Grandfather started.
       Besides his grandson Robert Ott, he had four granddaughters. Helen (Goldsberry)
     Pfaff, Dorothy (Thornberry) Masters, Caroline (Ott) Lucas, and Dana (Ott)
     Rose.
       In 1930 Leonard and Elaine retired from farming and moved into Medicine Lodge.
     After they moved into town, their daughter Mayme and granddaughter Helen made their
     home with them.
       My mother passed away in 1944 and my father in 1951. We have many happy days
     and memories of growing up in the Pioneer Days in Barber County. 
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 352 
     Submitted by: Lee Ott