From the newspaper report of his
Election to Register and Recorder 1884
William
Frederick Leathers, who was honored by the Republican voters of
Lawrence County by receiving the nomination for Register and Recorder, was
born near Bellefonte, Center County, PA on July 25, 1841.
His mother, Suphiah Jackson, died when
he was three years old and his father, Jacob
Leathers, who remarried, met his death by an accident at a furnace
in Manchester, a suburb of Allegheny in 1869.
In 1848, Jacob Leathers who was a
furnaceman by occupation, removed with his family to Clay furnace near
Clarksville, Mercer County. In
1853, he went to Sharon furnace.
In the fall of 1855 at the age
of 14, William Frederick Leathers was
employed with William Bell near Greenfield,
Mercer County and in 1859 with Benjamin Love
in the same county. He came
to Lawrence county and located in Slippery Rock Township in 1860.
Early in life the industry and perseverance of the subject of this
sketch were made manifest. He
worked hard in summer so he might go to school in winter and attain an
education. He spent his
winters at school for a number of years before coming to Lawrence County,
but it was at Shady Dell school in Slippery Rock Township that he
completed his studies.
On September 9, 1860, at age 19, he enlisted for three years in Co. K,
63rd regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers (Col. Hayes)
and served his country faithfully for that time, establishing a reputation
among his comrades as a brave and trustworthy soldier.
During his time of service he participated in the following
engagements: Siege of
Antietem, Appomatox, Manasses, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Peach
Orchard, Charles City, Cross Roads, Bristow Station,
Second Bull Run, Chantilla, Cedars, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
(where his name is on the Pennsylvania monument as Lathers)
Wapping Heights, Auburn Mills, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, Mine Run,
Wilderness, Charge at Spottsylvania (May 12, 1864) Charge at North Ann
River (May 23, 1864) and Deep Bottom.
At Cold Harbor he received a severe wound on the foot when he was
struck by a piece of shell.
After he was discharged from the service at the expiration of his term
of enlistment he located at Harlansburg, where he engaged in blacksmithing
until he was recently disabled.
Mr. Leathers is eminently qualified for the position to which he has
been chosen by the suffrages of the Republican voters of Lawrence County.
He is a fine penman and has been Township Auditor of Scott Township
for six years, Secretary of the School Board for three years and Secretary
of the Lawrence County Agricultural Association, held at Harlansburg.
Mr. Leathers is a
man of most excellent moral character, temperate and is a member in good
standing of the Presbyterian Church.
The Republican voters of this county will certainly never have any
reason to regret the choice they made for Register and Recorder.
He served two three
year terms, 1884-1889
Source: Submitted by Ethel L. Winterhalter, his great granddaughter.
