[p. 956] a retired farmer, residing in North Beaver Township on a valuable farm of 120 acres, which is owned by himself and his two sons, William and Henry, is a highly esteemed resident of this section. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, May 1, 1831, and is a son of Conrad and Agnes (Witzeman) Gahring.
Mr. Gahring was reared to the age of thirteen years on a small farm in Germany and then accompanied his parents to America. The father bought a farm in Cherokee Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, and there the parents lived during the remainder of their lives. There Leonard had district school advantages, and he grew to manhood a well trained farmer. In 1872 he left Venango County and came to North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, where he bought eighty-one acres of his present farm, subsequently adding the rest as he found a good opportunity. The place was poorly improved when Mr. Gahring came here and he has expended a large amount of time and money in placing it in its excellent condition. In 1879 he erected the comfortable residence and in 1886 he built the substantial barn. For a number of years Mr. Gahring carried on general farming, but has now retired from active work, the land being in the meanwhile very well managed and operated by his capable sons.
Leonard Gahring married Catherine Sailor, who was born and reared in Mahoning County, Ohio, a daughter of Philip Sailor. After marriage they lived for two years in Venango County and then came to the present farm. They had three children—Henry H., William A., and Lucy Elizabeth. Henry H. is unmarried and resides at home. William A., also residing on the home farm, married Lillian Beight, who is a daughter of Joseph Beight, and they have one child, J. Leonard. Lucy Elizabeth married Bert Hayes and they have three children—Catherine Jane, John Clifford and Laura Margaret. Mrs. Catherine Gahring died January 1, 1897. Mr. Gahring and his sons are all good citizens, honest, reliable men, who command the respect and enjoy the esteem and friendship of those with whom they have business or social relations. The Gahring farm is situated in the western part of North Beaver Township, adjoining the State line on the west, just north of the Mt. Jackson-Springfield road.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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