William T. Leamon, cashier of the Greenfield Banking Company and formerly one of the best-known teachers in the public schools of Hancock county is a native son of this county, having been born on a farm near Brown's Chapel, five miles northeast of Greenfield, in Jackson township, October 22, 1869, son of Isaac and Mary A. (Smith) Leamon, the former a native of Ohio and th latter of Indiana, both of whom are now deceased.

Isaac Leamon was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1829, and when quite young came to Indiana with his parents, the family settling in Jackson township, this county, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He married Mary A. Smith, who was born in that township, and established a home in that same township, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, she dying in 1894 and he in 1898. Isaac Leamon was a Republican and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow: Luna, now deceased, who married W. L. Lane, and undertaker at Charlottesville; John E., of Indianapolis; Elsie L., now deceased, who married George Steffey, a farmer of the Charlottesville neighborhood; James F., a clerk at the traction terminal station at Indianapolis; Eva B., who married Micajah Smith, who is connected with the Indianapolis street railway service; Charles E., of Charlottesville, and William T., the subject of this biographical sketch.

William T. Leamon was reared on the home farm in Jackson township and received his early schooling in the schools of Charlottesville. He then took a course in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute after which he began teaching school and was thus engaged until he entered the service of the Greenfield Banking Company, with which he ever since has been connected. Mr. Leamon taught for three years in the district schools of Jackson township, one year in the schools of Cleveland and eight years in the schools of Charlottesville. He was principal for four terms in the Lincoln school at Greenfield. In 1905 Mr. Leamon was engaged as a bookkeeper by the Greenfield Banking Company and in 1909 was elected assistant cashier of the bank. In 1911 he was elected cashier, which responsible position he still occupies. In the meantime Mr. Leamon had become a stockholder in the banking company and in 1916 was elected a director of the same. Mr. Leamon is a Republican and has ever given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.

On October 22, 1899, William T. Leamon was united in marriage to Bertie G. Rock, who was born on a farm in Jackson township, this county, August 17, 1873, daughter of the Hon. W. H. H. and Anna R. (Reeves) Rock, who later became residents of Greenfield. W.H.H. Rock left his Jackson Township farm and engaged in the grocery business at Charlottesville, later moving to Greenfield, where he followed the same line of business until his death. He was a prominent Republican of the county, for some time serving as chairman of the county Republican committee, and served a term in the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly as a representative from this district. To Mr. and Mrs. Leamon three children have been born, Harold Carl, Madge Ruth and Virginia Lou. Mr. Leamon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past noble grand of the lodge with which he is affilitated. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 860-861.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI September 12, 2001.

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