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and Lucretia
Cornelia
| Birth Date: 7/27/1846 |  | Birth Date: 11/20/1844 |
| Death Date: 9/3/1911 | Death Date: 5/5/1908 |
Rank; PrivateUncle Jim and Aunt Neil, as the couple was lovingly known on the East Plains of Crosby Co., began their lives in Calhoun Co., Ala. James, a private in the Alabama Infantry chose Lucretia Cornelia MADDOX for his bride. After the Civil War James and Cornelia brought their family to Cleburne, Tex. Eleven children were born to Uncle Jim and Aunt Neil; Ida Luarea, Rosa Jane, Samuel Franklin, Mary Isabelle, Zachariah, Milton Garison, Isac Elbert, Patrick Henry, twin boys, and Martha Alabama. Six of the children died during infancy or early childhood; Zachariah, Isac Elbert, twin boys, Ida Luarea, and Rosa Jane.In the summer of 1898, James V.LEATHERWOOD, Samuel Franklin STARRETT, Milton Garison LEATHERWOOD, and Steve CAROL came to the East Plains of Crosby Co. in a wagon and hack. The long trip from Johnson Co. culminated with J.V. LEATHERWOOD purchasing land in Crosby co., north of what is now highway 82 and east of Blanco Canyon. A document in the Crosby County Clerk´s office dates the purchase of land as Aug. 25, 1898. On Sept. 21, 1901, three witnesses of "sound mind" signed the document stating that the Leatherwood family had lived on their land in Crosby Co. for three years.
The Leatherwoods´ first residence was a half dugout located in the corner of four sections. Farm to Market Road 28 covers all of the evidence of the first Leatherwood half dugout. A second half dugout was built on what was later Jake LEATHERWOOD´S land. The second half dugout burned.
The remains of the permanent dwellings are still visible. Lumber was freighted by wagon from Quanah. The trip was long, tiresome and treacherous. The house was built by Andrew MADDOX, a brother of Aunt Neil´s. Not many tools were available so the work was slow and arduous.
One of the reasons for the location of the permanent residence was a good supply of water. A lone cowboy had told the Leatherwoods of a good well ranchers had left behind. The well had been covered by rocks by the ranchers to keep the supply of water a secret. The Leatherwoods found the well, cleared it of rocks, and found clean sparkling water that only the East Plains can produce.
The first crop was raised in 1899. Ranching was also important to the Leatherwood family. James wrote in a letter dated Apr. 25, 1909 that "The -N-" began to round up 600 cows to dip and ship to Kansas to grass. Tailing up cattle keeps cold and grass comes slow.
G.M. ANDERSON, known as "Stump", was an orphan taken into the Leatherwoods´ care. G.M. died and was buried at Antelope Cemetery, about eight miles east of Lakeview on the south side of the road. In 1903 the Crosbyton Cemetery had not been founded. The marker is no longer visible on G.M.´s grave. Other orphans were also raised by the James V. Leatherwoods.
The Leatherwood home became a beacon of light for other pioneer families who came to begin new homes in an untried land. Many families got their start from the hospitality of the Leatherwoods. Among those were the Samuel STARRETT´S, Andrew MADDOX, Clauson HICKMAN´S and B.W. ELLISON´S
One daughter, Mary Isabelle, had married and stayed in Cleburne with her family. Frank was a student at Baylor University and because of his strenuous studious effort, neglected health, contracted tuberculosis and died in 1894. Milton G., Alabama, and G.M. ANDERSON came to the plains with James V. and Cornelia. Henry came a little later. Word was sent back to Johnson Co. to come as soon as possible.
The Leatherwood family was instrumental in organization of Pansy Baptist Church, located on the southeast corner of the Starrett Farm on East Plains. It was originally located one and one-half miles north on the Henry LEATHERWOOD farm and was moved to the present site in 1946. In 1965, a fire consumed the building and a new edifice was erected in the present location.
James was always ready in a moment´s notice to give an account of the love of God in his heart. It was at the graveside of a young cowboy about to be lowered into the ground, where only a handful of cowboys stood near, that a man pulled off his old dusty hat and said. "Won´t someone say a word or say a prayer before this young lad is laid to rest?" James reached into an old leather vest pocket and drew out a Testament and then he read the Word and made comments very comforting for the friends of the cowboy whose work was already done.
James was a member of Masonic Lodge and Cornelias was a member of Eastern Star.
James served a term as County Commissioner, Precinct 2 from 1909 until his death, James with his sons, Patrick Henry and Milton G., and John Callihan using a pick and shovel, helped dig a road down the west caprock to allow the first buggy to pass over to the top.
On May 4, 1908 Cornelia died. Because Antelope Cemetery was so far from their home, James chose to bury Cornelia on their land. When James died Sept. 11, 1911, he was buried in Crosbyton Cemetery. Cornelia was moved to rest at his side.
A letter dated June 8, 1908 telling of Cornelia Leatherwood´s death states "sister Leatherwood leaves a record of good works that all friends delight to cherish. Always ready to do good for the cause of Christ. Especially was her home an ideal one for hospitality and many lone preachers traveling on the plains have been refreshed in this home. Besides raising her own children to be a blessing to the world, she has raised and partly raised several orphans. Her life has been especially helpful to this writer." The author is unknown.
(Compiled by Sammie Starrett Brakebill and Lena Starrett Givens)Source: Crosby County History 1876-1977 page 359, 360
A Good Man GoneOn last Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. Mr. James Leatherwood formerly of Johnson county died at the home of his son. Mr. Leatherwood had been to church and stopped at his son´s, Henry, to take dinner. He ate a hearty dinner after which he walked out to the barn and when found was in a dying condition. They carried him in the house and sent for a doctor, but he was dead when the doctor arrived. All he ever said was "pain in my bowels."
Mr. Leatherwood came to Texas at the close of the war and settled in Johnson county near Cleburne. He was a member of the Baptist church, a member of Pat Cleburne Camp 88 UCV at Cleburne. He was a Mason belonging to the Blue Lodge at Cleburne. He also belonged to the Royal Arch Chapter at Crosbyton.
I have known him for 35 years. He gave me a job of work soon after I came to the state. He was a good soldier and a good kind, loving husband and father. He has finished his work and has gone to meet his loved ones who have gone before him.
Three years ago he lost his wife. They buried her on the farm close to the house. On Monday morning, Mr. Wooten and two other gentlemen and myself went to the grave, removed the remains and placed her by the side of him in the one grave in Crosbyton.
W.H.L. Ward
The Texas Spur, September 8, 1911
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