Leroy J. Baskerville

Leroy J. Baskerville, a general farmer and dairyman living in Elk town­ship, where he now has ninety-six acres of rich and productive land, was born in Oneida township, this county, on the 28th of March, 1863, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Walters) Baskerville, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America in 1858 and, making their way into the interior of the country, settled upon a farm in Oneida township, Delaware county, where their remaining days were passed, the father becoming closely connected with general agricultural pursuits. In their family were three sons, of whom Leroy J. is the eldest, the others being Lorenzo H. and Walter W. The father died on the 25th of June, 1901, and two years later the mother passed away, on the 26th of May, 1903.

The youthful days of Leroy J. Baskerville were spent upon the old home farm, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. On attaining his majority he started out in life independently and secured a clerkship in a store, in which he was employed for seven months. He afterward worked in a creamery for about four years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his economi­cal expenditure, together with the wise management of his affairs, brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty acres in Oneida township. He lived upon that property for five years, at the end of which time he sold out and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising ninety-six acres in Elk township, known as the old Trowbridge farm. Here he has engaged in the dairy business in connection with the tilling of the soil, keeping high grade cows for that purpose, and his dairy products find a ready sale upon the market. For seven years after starting farming he taught school winters and worked his farm during the summer months.

On the 29th of August, 1889, Mr. Baskerville was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Cruise, a school teacher and a native of this county and a daughter of Charles H. and Carrie (Merry) Cruise. Nine children have been born of this union: Florence L., who is a graduate of the State Teachers College and taught for two years before her marriage to Henry Carrothers; Charles W., who is now in college; Merry C., who is engaged in teaching; George L., now attending high school; and Ora E., Hattie E., Edith L., Arza J. and one who died in infancy.

The parents are members of the Congregational church and are interested in all that tends to uplift humanity and advance the best interests of the district in which they live.  They have many warm friends and their own home is the abode of a gracious and pleasing hospitality.

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