Pioneer "Big John"Leedy

Pioneer "Big" John Leedy, best known for his stature, was born at Broadfording, Washington Co., MD; the 1st of 10 known children born to Abraham and Catharine (Long) Leedy. When about 6 years old John accompanied his parents and three younger siblings traveling horseback using primitive Indian trails from Maryland to the Allegheny Mountain interior arriving at Morrison's Cove, Woodbury Twp., Bedford Co., PA. Here he was raised a farmer and on 03-04-1806 married Elizabeth Ann (Keith) Leedy.

In the Summer of 1810, just four years into their marriage "Big" John traveled no less than 480 miles round trip on horseback scouting for more suitable farm land in the Ohio interior and returned to his family in PA. In May of 1811 John and wife packed their belongings and moved the family of four young children in a Conestoga wagon from Bedford Co., PA via Ft. Pitt, PA. They traveled some of the same trails John had discovered the previous year. The family reached Sec. 35, Jefferson Twp., Richland Co., OH on 06-06-1811. For a while, they reportedly slept out in the open, starting a camp fire each night for security until a log cabin could be erected before winter set in. The log cabin was built near an artesian well situated in the middle part of the section of land. Eventually John purchased all 4 quarter-sections comprising 640 acres which was would need clearing for farming.

Many stories have been written or passed down about "Big" John Leedy over the years. Reportedly he sold "distilled spirits" to the local Indians who came by the artesian spring to water their horses. John and Elizabeth Leedy raised all of their 12 children on this farm. In 1829 John improved the farm with a brick home, built just a few yards NW of the original log cabin site.

Children of "Big" John & Elizabeth Leedy ...

1. Lewis Keith Leedy (1807-1896)
2. Catharine (Leedy) Garber (1809-1879)
3. Mary (Leedy) Crawford (1810-1860)
4. Susannah (Leedy) Myers (1811-1903)
5. Abraham Keith Leedy (1814-1896)
6. Samuel Keith Leedy (1816-1853)
7. Elizabeth (Leedy) Miskimmins (1818-1900)
8. John Keith Leedy, M.D. (1820-1876)
9. Margaret (Leedy) Spayde (1822-1899)
10. Rosanna A. (Leedy) Brown (1826-1907)
11. David Keith Leedy (1828-c1848)
12. Sarah (Leedy) Gambrill (1830-1876)

In 1836 "Big" John passed portions of the original Sec. 35 farmlands on to his children and moved to Bellville, OH. Here he established a hotel and tavern on the present day east side of Main St., situated on the south bank of the Clear Fork. Family tradition says that during hot summer months "Big" John Leedy would strip down to his trousers and sit down in the cool water of the Clear Fork for relief.

Pioneer "Big" John Leedy died from heart failure aged 72y-11m-26d. John and wife are buried at the Owl Creek Church of the Brethren Cem., Sec. 2, Berlin Twp., Knox Co, OH.

John "Big John" was the son of Abraham & Catherine (Long) Leedy. He married Elizabeth Keith on March 4, 1806 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Together they had 12 children: Lewis Keith; Catharine; Mary; Susan; Abraham K.; Samuel K.; Elizabeth; John K.; Margaret; Rosannah; David; & Sarah.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 8 2018, 0:54:32 UTC