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LEONARD FAWCETT. We may not always realize it, but quite often little things rob a farmer of the joy of farming and living in the free open country. It may be a broken-down gate, a half-destroyed string of fence, a leaky roof or a dozen other similar things that ought never to be found on a farm. These seemingly trivial things are responsible not only for keeping the owner in a bad temper but also positively occasion loss in many ways. The wise husbandman during his spare moments from his crops and in the long winter months looks after these defects one by one until everything is efficient and in ship-shape, for he deems it a shame to let such little things rob him of the pleasure of farm life. Leonard Fawcett, of Jackson township, Greene county, is this kind of farmer. The stranger finds everything in good repair and in its place when visiting his farm. Such a man sets a good example for his neighbors.
Mr. Fawcett was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, September 8, 1868. He is a son of Melville and Susan Jane (Shipman) Fawcett. The father was born, in Ohio, November 9, 1838, but when a small boy his parents removed to West Virginia and there he grew to manhood and attended school. When nineteen years of age he came to Iowa, where he married and began life for himself on a farm, became owner of eighty acres and remained in that state twenty years, removing from there to Missouri in 1877, settling south of Springfield in Greene county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres. He was very successful as a general farmer and there he spent the rest of his life dying in 1909. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, having been drafted into the service in 1863. After serving a year he was discharged at Mobile, Alabama. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Canada, July 28, 1836, and there she was reared on a farm and educated. Remaining in her native country until twenty years of age she then moved to Michigan, later went to Iowa, where she met and married Mr. Fawcett. She is now advanced in years and is living on the farm adjoining that of her son, our subject, making her home with her daughter. To Melville D. Fawcett and wife ten children were born, namely: Herbert, deceased; Warren, Robert, Ira is deceased; Lucy, Leonard of this sketch; Jesse H., Mrs. Lottie Rogers, Rolland and William.
Leonard Fawcett lived in Iowa until he was nine years of age, when he removed with the family to Greene county, Missouri, and here he has since resided. He received a common school education. He remained at home working for his father until he was twenty-six years of age, in 1894, then married Rosa Putnam, soon after which he began life for himself as a farmer. He and his wife moved to their present farm nine years ago. This place consists of one hundred and two acres, which is well located, well improved and is kept well stocked. Our subject carries on general farming and stock raising and he has for many years dealt extensively in live stock, being one of the best known stockmen in this country. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Fawcett was born in this county, August 20, 1876, on a farm, where she grew to womanhood, and she was educated in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Elijah and Maranda (Wood) Putman. Her mother is deceased, but her father is living in Fair Grove, Greene county.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, namely: Harry, born August 1, 1895; and Johnie, born April 22, 1901.
Mr. Fawcett is a Democrat in his political relations; fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously, he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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