Putnam patriot., 1911-02-03

wards his CLOSING hoais, sd" no eA
preston but gentle resignation to the
divine ordering.
Mr.. Leonard was, of friendly dispo-
sition and kindly in his intercourse
with every one, hence his friends were
m any and enemies he had none.
Mr.. Leonard was born in Union,
Sc ptember 15,, 1880. Besides the pa
rents the family consisted of three sons
and daughter, Rhoda j. In the order
of age, Thomas was the oldest, Moses
G. next, and William the youngest.
OF the entire family Thomas Leonard,
of Providence street, this city, is now
the only living member.
The father of the family carried on
farming, and was aided in their early
years by the children. Life on farm
back in the country, in those days, was
adull drudgery, deprived of the few
advantages now possessed in the back
country. Education was scant, con-
sis ting mainly that received in log
school house, generally long distance
from home. Society there was none,
and opportunities to learn trades were
too far distant to be thought of
One thing relieved the monotony of
farm life-the children were intelleclu-
ally bright, ambitious, and happy in
the love uniting the family. When
the boys reached half way to manhood
the family removed to Eastford. There
they found one industry open to indus
triouslyoupg men-that of manufactur-
ing shoes, all done by hand work. Tho
mas first engaged in the business, and
the other two engaged with him in
succession, and in a short time they
had accumulated little capital and
removed to Woodstock Valley, where,
as firm company, they opened shoe
store and mandatory.
Before assuming the new industry,
Moses had received additional school
ing in Eastford and. Woodstock. His
dealings in shoe manufacturing had
brought him knowledge of business
affairs in the outside world. After a
partnership with his two brothers
for sixteen years, he separated and
came to Putnam, which had grown to
some importance as manufacturing
and business center with railroad fa-
cilities. Here in 1869 Mr.. Leonard en-
tered into partnership with James w.
Manning, to carry on dry goods and
clothing business. 1t became the lead
ing store in town by the ability and
careful management of the two part
ners. After being in the business n
years, Mr.. Leonard, deeming he had
an active business life long enough,
withdrew as partner, and soon after
Mr.. Manning sold out the business to
David Flagg, who still successfully
carries it on.
Mr.. Leonard did not propose to lead
an idle life after retiring from the dry
goods business He found many con-
genial duties, public and private, that
kept him employed all he cared to be.
AS an esteemed member of the Bap.
fist church, his valuable services were
were called in requisition, particularly
| in building their fine new church after
the wooden one was destroyed by fire.
When the project was startedIto sup
ply the city with public water, he was
one of the incorporators. He was cleo
ted Vice President and director from
the incorporation of the Water Com.
pany, and its President since 1895.
Mr.. Leonard was also one of the in
corporators of the Putnam Foundry
and Machine company. Again his
business talents were recognized, and
he was elected Director and Vice Pres
ident of this prosperous industry.
he had been for many years Trus-
tee of the Day Kimball Hospital.
He had held some minor public Off :
ces, but was not much of politician,
nor did he aspire or exert himself to
gain political places.
He was an active member OF the Blu
| siness Mems Asso citation, and gave .