Leonard Rossman was born in Shelby, Michigan April 16, 1832 to Fite and Mary Rull Rossman. He received his education in the schools there at Shelby and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-three. He then decided to go into farming for himself and came to Montcalm County about 1849 settling on a farm near Greenville. He later moved to a farm in Eureka Township and finally settled on an 80 acre farm in Winfield Township. He married the former Julia M. Ormsby, daughter of Hiram Ormsby, of South Haven, on December 30, 1854 in Montcalm County. They were the parents of three children, Frank, Mary and Albert. Leonard entered public service when he was elected Treasurer of Winfield Township in 1861. He resigned that position to enter the army during the Civil War. He enlisted as a Sergeant in Company F 21st Michigan Infantry Regiment on August 15, 1862 at the age of 30. He took part in the battle of Perryville and in two minor engagements. An injury he received early in the service caused him to be placed on detached duty and prevented his promotion. He was honorably discharged on June 21, 1865. He again was elected treasurer of Winfield Twp. in 1866 and served successively until 1876. On November 7, 1876 he was elected sheriff for Montcalm County and served from 1877-1882. He and his family moved into Stanton during his years as sheriff. When his term was up he returned to the farm settling in Cato Township, west of Lakeview. He died January 31, 1920 in Lakeview. His obituary appeared in the Lakeview Enterprise on Thursday, February 5, 1920.
ANOTHER PIONEER GONE
Leonard Rossman, An Old Resident, a Good Citizen, and a Manly Man.
WILL BE MISSED BY ALL
Death has claimed one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens in calling Leonard Rossman to the great beyond. He having passed away at his home in this village Saturday morning. He was one of the early pioneers of this vicinity having moved onto the farm west of town more than 55 years ago, and for the past 29 years has resided in this village. He served with the 21st Michigan Volunteers during the civil war, and was sheriff of Montcalm County 1878-1882*. The deceased was nearly 88 years of age and for 66 years had lived a happy life with the widow who survives him. He also leaves two sons, Frank, of Detroit, and Bert, of Grand Rapids. Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at two o'clock and the remains laid to rest in the Lakeview cemetery. (There is no tombstone for Mr. Rossman).
(Sources: Record of Soldiers Discharged, Montcalm County; Lakeview Enterprise; Histories of Ionia and Montcalm County, Michigan; Montcalm County Marriage and Death records; census records; American Biographical History of Eminent & Self-Made Men by Western Biographical Pub Co, 1878, pg 45) |
