Death of Frances Leonard
About four o'clock last Thursday afternoon Frances Leonard died at his home in this city. The cause of his death was dropsy with complication of other diseases.

Mr. Leonard was up most of the time; never lying down only for a short time each day until the day of his death. He could always be found sitting on the porch, cheerful and with the words that he felt much better. Mr. Leonard's health has been failing for some years and he was a constant sufferer from Asthma but it never troubled him very much in summer, only in the cold winter months did he complain. By his death, Manning loses a good man and respected citizen. This town never had a man within her borders more interested in the welfare of our town than was Mr. Leonard. He was a great reader and liked to keep in touch with everything that was going on. In all his deals he was thoroughly honest and he expected those with whom he was dealing to live up to their part of any agreement made. He was a man of honor from start to finish, always cheerful and kind and was never known to lag in any work that he was able to do. He was an active church worker and always ready and willing to help in anything pertaining to the city's interests. He was also a tireless worker in the Grand Army Post of which order he was a member.

The funeral services were held in the M.E. Church Sunday morning at 11 o'clock under the direction of the Grand Army Post. The sermon preached by Rev. Golden was most comforting to the bereaved ones and near relatives and comforting to everyone present. At the close of this sermon the remains were followed by a long concourse of sorrowing friends to his last resting place in our beautiful little cemetery on the hill (Manning Cemetery). The floral decorations were many and very beautiful. There were a number of set pieces from the order to which he belonged and also from loving friends. The selections by the choir were also very appropriate.

One by one the old pioneers weary with long service, lay down axe, pen, apron, and sword while their spirits pass on to their reward. While he is gone his memory will long remain.

Frances Leonard was born in Bucklin, Franklin County, Massachusetts, July 12, 1834, and died in Manning, Iowa, July 18, 1906, age 72 years and 7 days.

His parents lived in Massachusetts until he was 12 years old when they moved to Dodge County, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. July 3, 1857, he was married to Martha Francis Humiston. Four children were born to them, two sons and two daughters. The wife and one son preceded him to the spirit world. Three children survive him, Emma, Joseph, and Hattie all of Manning, three brothers and sisters are still living.

He enlisted in the service of his country September 27, 1862, Company 129th Wisconsin Volunteers, remaining three years the full time of enlistment when he received an honorable discharge. He took active part in the following engagements; Ft. Gibson, Champion Hill, Siege of Vicksberg, Battle of Mobile Bay and Sabine Cross Roads. He was wounded at the battle of Champions Hill, but soon recovered and continued with his regiment. In being mustered out of the service of his country he returned to civil life in Wisconsin. About the year 1880 he moved with his family to Carroll County where he since resided until his departure last Thursday afternoon.

He joined the M.E. Church about thirty years ago and lived a consistent life. It is truly said of him "He never knowingly took a cent that did not rightfully belong to him, He had not an enemy on earth." He was loved by all who knew him.

Is this all we should say of him, the citizen, the soldier, the Christian? No! The great God smiles to write his name on the Lamb's book of Life. As a father he was kind, good and gentle; as a man quiet, meek and strictly honest; as a citizen loyal to government, town and state as a soldier brave, true, and heroic; as a Christian a model. He has been an officer in some form in the church during his membership of thirty years, holding the position of trustee and treasurer of the board of trustees at the time of his death.

We will miss him but our loss is his eternal gain. He now enjoys the Christians reward: Where no storms ever beat, On that beautiful strand, While the years of eternity roll."

The relatives attending the funeral from afar were Mrs. A.W. Leonard and daughter Hattie of Scranton and son George of Linden; Wilder Leonard, brother of deceased of Tama, Iowa; Lon Humiston of Scranton and daughter Jessie of Audubon and George Leonard of Ft. Dodge.