While sifting through records of men named Charles Leonard in Central New York in the mid-1800s, I learned about a man named Charles Leonard of Byron Center. Not to be confused with Port Byron, which is in Cayuga County, Byron is situated about 89 miles west of it, in Genesee County.
Charles was born Oct. 8, 1816, in Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York. He was a son of Stephen Leonard (1780-1848) and Ann (Bush) Leonard, and a descendant of Solomon Leonard of Duxbury, Massachusetts. Charles was a 4th great-grandson of Solomon Leonard, and although neither Stephen nor Charles were my ancestors, they were relatives, since my Leonard line also descends from Solomon Leonard.
Charles' father, Stephen Leonard, was counted on the census in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York, in 1820, 1830 and 1840, and he died there on Apr. 23, 1848, at the age of 67.
Charles Leonard married Betsey Williams, Oct. 16, 1837, and together they had four known children:
Nathan E. Leonard, born Aug. 25, 1839, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York, married Francis Hulett in 1861 and had at least two children - Effie (married Stevens), and Wyman Leonard. He enlisted in the 25th New York Light Artillery on February 11th 1863. Discharged on August 1st 1865 in Rochester, NY. Died Dec. 14, 1911, in Barre, Orleans, New York.
George Leonard, born Aug. 11, 1841, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York. He married Linnie Dibble on Jan. 27, 1876, at Byron, and they had a daughter named Stella (1883-1951), who married Fred Willard in 1903 and had at least two children: Glenn D. Willard Sr (1904-1985) and Gertrude Mae Willard (1907-1970). Gertrude married Louis J. Gaeta in 1925 and had at least two children. He is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 4. (Findagrave).
Alice Deborah Leonard, born Sept. 12, 1844, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York. She never married or had children, but cared for her parents in their old age. She is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H20 2. (Findagrave).
Mary Leonard, born abt. 1848, died young on Feb. 8, 1868. She is buried in Byron Cemetery Section NE H21 5. (Findagrave). She was 19 years, 5 months old.
Two years after his father died, Charles was counted on the census of 1850, still in Sangerfield. His family was living with the Miller family. Charles was 34, Betsey was 36, and their children in the home were: Nathan E. (11), George (8), Alice (5), and Mary LEONARD (2).
In 1860 the family was in Byron, Genesee County, NY, as follows: Charles (45, Hotel Keeper), Betsey (49), Nathan (19), George (17), Alice (15), Mary LEONARD (13), and James TUCKER and family of five. Note: There was also a Charles Leonard, age 19, in LeRoy in 1860. He was “Barn Keeper” at Powell Carpenter’s Motel.
In 1865 Charles's family was still in Byron as follows: Charles (52, Hotel Keeper), Betsey (57), George (26), Alice (24) LEONARD and two others.
In 1880 they were still in Byron as follows: Charles (64), Betsy (67), Alice (32) with J. BELLOWS (53) and Effie LEONARD (17), their granddaughter.
Betsey died March 13, 1893, in Byron, and is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 2 (Findagrave). In 1900, Charles was still in Byron. He was 83, and indicated he was born Oct 1816, widowed, born in NY, father born in Mass., mother born in NY. His daughter, Alice, born Sep 1845, was still living in the home. She was single and reported as being born in New York. Her mother was born in Mass. Two boarders also lived in the home.
Charles died at the age of 84, on May 7, 1901, at Byron, and is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 1. (Findagrave).
Other information about Charles and his family, found in various newspapers and publications:
Found in the Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1790, p. 399 [Link] as follows:
“Charles Leonard was born in Sangerfield, Oneida County, where he lived until 1852, when he came to South Byron, and kept a livery stable and saloon for three years. He was a farmer for three years in Le Roy. In April, 1865, he came to Byron Center, and has kept the hotel there since that time, and has also carried the mail from South Byron to Byron Center.” He sold the "Byron Center Hotel" in 1890. See also, p. 150 of the Gazetteer for 1869-1870 [Link].
From the Syracuse Daily Courier July 9, 1859:
"Change of Proprietors. - Many will regret to learn that Barney Becker, the popular landlord of the Voorhees House, has disposed of his interest in that splendid Hotel and retires from its management. The new landlords are B. Filkins and Chas. Leonard, both of who know how to keep a first class Hotel. We wish them prosperity."
From the Batavia Spirit of The Times 1833-1865
"Fire at South Byron - Between one and two o'clock last Wednesday morning, the Rail Road Hotel at South Byron, owned and occupied by Stephen Leonard, was entirely destroyed by fire."
From the Batavia Spirit of The Times 1833-1865
"To those of our Genesee County people who may desire to stop at Battle Creek, Michigan, it will be welcome intelligence to know that STEPHEN LEONARD, formerly of South Byron, is now the proprietor of the American Hotel, at the first named place. Our old friend Leonard kept at Byron, for some years, one of the finest and most popular Hotels in this region. We doubt not his establishment at Battle Creek will prove alike acceptable to all who may favor him with their patronage. We wish the American and its worthy landlord abundant and permanent good fortune."
From the Buffalo Evening Courier May 1, 1876:
"Trouble in a Beer Saloon - A lively Melee - A Revolver Used, Etc. About seven o'clock in Lenhard's saloon, No. 12 Batavia street, and before it terminated firearms were brought into requisition. It seem that about five o'clock Willis Wright, William Flinn, and two other young men entered this place and had some beer to drink. They remained til nearly seven o'clock. One of the party broke a beer glass but refused to pay more than half the amount asked for it, whereupon high words ensued. The bartender, Chas. Lenhard, was set upon by the party, and received some bruises about the face, after which the assailants were ejected from the premises. Once outside the quartette, or some of them, as it is alleged, hurled stones at the building, one of the missiles crashing through a window, and another passing through a light of glass in the door, striking Chas. Lenhard in the forehead and inflicting a painful wound. Louis Lenhard, a brother of the injured man, catching up a revolver, rushed outside and fired a couple of shots at the assaulting party as they retreated up the street. The shootist as taken into custody by Patrolman Hazel, of the Third Precinct, on charge of assault with intent to kill, preferred by Wright. Flinn was locked upon charge of assault and battery; and to make the matter still more complicated, the Sunday law will probably be applied."
From The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Sat., Mar. 15, 1890:
"GENESEE. Charles Leonard has just sold his brick hotel at Byron Center to Miss Alice Clark of the town of Alabama. She has recently sold her Alabama hotel to a Mr. Reed, of Shelby. Mr. Leonard has owned and kept the Byron Hotel for more than twenty five years, and this deal is quite noteworthy even in that flourishing village."
From the Batavia Progressive Batavian
"Byron, March 4th, 1884. Charles Leonard and his daughter Alice are to start for Massachusetts Thursday, to be absent several weeks."
From the Batavia Progressive Batavian Friday, June 5, 1885:
"The accident reported in your last week's paper, to young Chapel and his lady companions, by which they were slightly injured and his horse killed, was caused by the driver, Frank Jones, of Charles Leonard's horse and buggy, undertaking to drive past Chapel on a narrow place in the road which crowded him off the side into the ditch, upsetting his carriage and throwing the horse over and instantly killing him. Chapel is seeking damages for his loss from Leonard, and negotiations for settlement are pending. If they fail of course the matter will probably go to the courts. One of the young lady's arms is quite badly injured - may disable her for some time."
From the Rochester Democrat Chronicle, Sat., Mar. 15, 1890:
"Charles Leonard has just sold his brick hotel at Byron Center to Miss Alice Clark, of the town of Alabama. She has recently sold her hotel at Alabama to a Mr. Reed of Shelby. Mr. Leonard has owned and kept the Byron Hotel for more than twenty-five years, and this deal is quite a noteworthy event in that flourishing village."
From the Batavia Daily News 1890:
"Tuesday April 20 (or 29) - Charles Leonard having disposed of his hotel property at Byron Center, will sell on the premises two horses, some swine, a variety of agricultural implements and a large lot of household goods, including ten bed-room sets, tables, chairs, crockery, glassware, etc. sale begins at 19 o'clock. C. H. Reynolds, auctioneer; C. H. Coward, clerk."
From the Batavia Progressive Batavian 1892-1895:
"BYRON. Mrs. Charles Stevens, of Albion, has been visiting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Leonard."
From the Batavia Progressive Batavian Feb 19, 1892:
"BYRON. Chas Leonard is to receive an insurance of $500. A disability claim."
From Batavia Daily News, Feb 1893:
"Mrs. Charles Leonard, who has been an invalid for a number of years, is in a critical condition".
From the Batavia Progressive Batavian, Fri., Mar. 27, 1893:
"Mrs. Charles Leonard died at her home in Byron Monday night March 13th, in the 77th year of her age. She was born in Williamstown, Mass., in the year 1818[or 1816?]. Her maiden name was Betsy Williams. She was married to Mr. Leonard more than half a century ago. Besides the bereaved husband she leaves three children, two sons, George and Nathan, and a daughter, Alice, who has always lived with her parents, caring for her mother until she was called from her mortal home. Mrs. Leonard was an affectionate wife, a kind and gentle neighbor, and leaves a large circle of friends. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the whole community. The funeral will take place at her late residence Friday afternoon."
From Batavia Daily News, April 14, 1896:
"The Late George Leonard. Byron, April 14. - George Leonard, whose death was announced in the News yesterday, was a son of Charles Leonard, who for many years was proprietor of the Byron Center hotel. He had been sick nearly a year. He leaves a widow, one daughter, an aged father, one brother, Nathan Leonard of Middleport, and a sister, Miss Alice Leonard of Byron. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock."
From The Leroy Gazette, Wed., May 15, 1901:
"LEROY AND VICINITY. Charles Leonard, for 35 years a resident of Byron Center, died last week at age 84 years. For a number of years he conducted the Byron Center hotel."
From The Batavia Daily News, Sat., Aug. 6, 1927:
"THE PAST AND PRESENT...Charles Leonard was the proprietor of the hotel at Byron and operated the stage route from South Byron to Byron Center."
This 1876 map shows exactly where the hotel was located:
You can tour Byron and see Charles Leonard's old "brick hotel" on Google Maps. It appears the hotel, his home, and the church (to the left) are all still standing 148 years later. Use the arrows to navigate toward the church (to the left) to see the Leonard's home, which has been beautifully preserved.
If you're a descendant of Stephen Leonard, check out the family on Wikitree and add your branches!
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