Leathers Family History & Genealogy

LEATHERS CHEROKEE
CONNECTIONS
[contact link]
Descendants of WEST LEATHERS alias WESTWIND LEATHERFACE or
WESTWIND or LEATHERFACE - Full Cherokee
FIRST GENERATION
WEST LEATHERS was born in 1775 in [Casa Grand,OK? This info passed on
to me, but could not be historically correct]. He died ? in Wayne City, Fairfield,
Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He was full Cherokee.
He was also known as WESTWIND LEATHERFACE. A Cherokee chief ?, he
came to Illinois around 1790-1800 [St. Clair County then] with 6 sons and one
daughter. He lived around Wayne City and Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois.
He supposedly left OK because he and a brother had a falling out. He dropped
the last part of each name and became WEST LEATHERS.
When he was ill he told his sons a skin with a map and deed on it was buried
under a rock around Antlers, OK, near? a large valley and it was supposed to be
his property. A city is built there now. His grandson OSCAR LEATHERS, son
of JAMES LEATHERS went to OK but could not find where the rock was.
[NOTE:NONE OF THIS IS DOCUMENTED...WORD OF MOUTH
ONLY..HISTORICALLY CHEROKEES ONLY HAD ONE NAME, LIKE
WESTWIND OR LEATHERFACE]
West married a Cherokee woman in OK?, date? Wife was born ?. WEST
LEATHERS and CHEROKEE WOMAN had the following children:[NOTE:
NO DOCUMENTATION]
JONATHAN LEATHERS, [born in Virginia? also located in Orange County,
Indiana Federal Census and Orange County Tract Book, Page 49, Vol.9] who
married ELIZABETH WOLF who had the following children:[NOT FULLY
DOCUMENTED: NOT SURE THERE IS A CONNECTION HERE]
WESTLEY LEATHERS was born Unknown in Casa Grand, OK or Wayne
City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He died Unknown in Casa Grand, OK, or
Wayne City, Fairfield,Illinois, Wayne Co.?.Married Nancy J.Beeson, April 17,
1843
2). RAY LEATHERS.
3). JOHN LEATHERS.
4). ALFRED [Alf] MARION LEATHERS. [DOCUMENTED]
5). LOU-EYE-SA LEATHERS was born ? in Casa Grand, OK, or Wayne City,
Fairfield, Wayne County, Ill.?. She died ? [over 107 years] in Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. She was Cherokee. She never married. She
stayed with her brothers and took care of their children. She liked to stay with
ALF and his wife, EVA, the best.
6,7). TWO UNKNOWN SONS
SECOND GENERATION [FULL CHEROKEE]
1). JOHN LEATHERS was born ? in Casa Grand, OK, or Wayne City,
Fairfield, Wayne County, Ill.?. He died ? in Casa Grand,OK, or Wayne City,
Fairfield, Wayne County, Ill.?. He was full Cherokee. He was married to
UNKNOWN.
2). RAY LEATHERS was born Unknown in Casa Grand, OK, or Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He died Unknown in Wayne City, Fairfield,
Wayne County, Ill.?.He was married to UNKNOWN Unknown in Wayne City,
Fairfield, Wayne County, Ill.?.
3). ALFRED [ALF] MARION LEATHERS
died in 1888 in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He was born 1808
approx. in Casa Grand, OK [not on any present maps], or Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He was full Cherokee. Nicknamed "ALF". He
was well over 80 years when he died. He was hauling logs on a wagon, fell from
the wagon and died. He had black curly hair and kept it short. Never shaved. He
had 6 children.
He married LUIZU [EVA] BULLARD/MELTON/HERLET (verified) in Wayne
City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. EVA HERLET was born Unknown time in
Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. She died in Wayne City, Fairfield,
Illinois, Wayne Co.?. EVA HERLET was also known as MELTON-BULLARD.
She was Irish...had two children from previous marriages:
a). WILLIAM MELTON was born in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne
Co.?. He died in Hymas, Missouri.. EVA'S first child by another
marriage...WILLIAM married a VINNIE? They lived in Hymas, Mo.
Children: BUD, JASPER, RUTH, MARY, and ANNIE
b). ELIZABETH BULLARD married TOM COX. They lived around Beecher
City, Il.
Children: BUD, HARVE, JOE, and CHARLIE
ALFRED MARION LEATHERS was LUIZU'S third marriage. ALFRED
[ALF]MARION LEATHERS and LUIZU BULLARD/MELTON/HERLET had
the following children:
1). JAMES LEATHERS. *
2). NATHAN LEATHERS.
3). ELLA LEATHERS *was born in 1867 in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois,
Wayne Co.?. She died in 1925/28? in Anna, Illinois, Union County at age 55. She
was half Cherokee half Irish. Never married. She had some sort of illness which
resulted in hearing loss and unable to speak. Supposedly died in an insane
asylum. So called "deaf and dumb" often were place in asylums in those days if
they had no one to care for them. Always took care of brothers children
4). JOHN BAPTIST LEATHERS.*
5). THOMAS MARION LEATHERS.*
6). ELMER Lewis LEATHERS. *
Step-children:
WILLIAM MELTON.*
ELIZABETH BULLARD.
THIRD GENERATION [Half Cherokee, Half IRISH]
1). JAMES A? LEATHERS * was born June 2, 1873 in Wayne City, Fairfield,
Illinois,? Wayne Co. According to his death certificate he died in Union County,
IL., March 17th 1931, of "gangrene of lung, plural effusion". He was a helper on
a coal truck. He was 6' 21/2" tall. He is buried in Taylor Cemetery, near Essex,
Mo. in Stoddard County, Mo.
He married ADA JANE? WOOTEN [supposedly in Steelsville, Il, by an Indian
tribe] in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co? or Malden, Ill., East Alton?.
ADA JANE? WOOTEN was born in Southern Illinois, Wayne County?. She
died in Southern Illinois, Wayne County?.
JAMES A.? LEATHERS and ADA JANE? WOOTEN had the following
children:
a. OSCAR LEE LEATHERS was born Jan. 12, 1888 in Wayne City, Fairfield,
Wayne County, Ill.?. He died in 1978 in Malden, Missouri?. He had 4 girls and 2
boys, Ruby Eugene LEATHERS-LONG, Oscar Lynamn LEATHERS, Bonnie
Lucille LEATHERS-CLARK,[married Frank M. Clark], Betty LEATHERS
[married Sam MILLER], Jean LEATHERS-MORGAN [married Wiley
MORGAN].
b. CLARENCE LEATHERS died in Carbondale, Il?, June, 1974?.
c. CHARLIE LEATHERS, place of birth and date unknown. CHARLIE
LEATHERS died in 1975 in Malden, Mo.?. He married MINNIE BORDERS
Unknown in Malden, Mo.?. First marriage, married 40 years. MINNIE
BORDERS was born Unknown in Unknown. She died Unknown in Malden,
Mo.?. CHARLIE LEATHERS and MINNIE BORDERS had the following
children:
a. JAMES LEATHERS was born in 1913 in Malden, Mo.?. 6' 3" tall, weighted
200 lbs.
b. MARIE LEATHERS was born Unknown in Malden, Mo.?. She died
Unknown in Malden, Mo.?. Her husband killed her and then himself
c. CHARLES LEATHERS was born in 1933 in Malden, Mo.?. He died
Unknown in Marshall, Mo?. He was a Minister, Assembly of God in Marshall,
Mo?.
d. IMOGENE LEATHERS alive? in Memphis, Tenn.. She was born in Malden,
Mo.?.
2). NATHAN LEATHERS was born in 1865 in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois,
Wayne Co.?. He died Unknown in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co. or
East Alton, Il. He was = Cherokee = Irish. He married VINA ? in Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.,or East Alton, Ill.?. She died in East Alton, Illinois.
NATHAN'S second marriage was to PET BARNS in East Alton, Illinois?. . Had
two daughters with PET, MRYTLE and GOLDIE
NATHAN LEATHERS and VINA had the following children:
a. ARTHUR LEATHERS was born Unknown in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois,
Wayne Co. or East Alton, Il. He died Unknown in East Alton, Illinois.
b. EVERETT LEATHERS was born Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?. He died
Unknown in East Alton, Illinois.
c. GRACE LEATHERS was born Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?. She died
Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?.
d. BESS LEATHERS alive? in East Alton, Illinois?. She was born Unknown in
East Alton, Illinois?.
e. PEARL LEATHERS alive?in East Alton, Illinois?. She was born Unknown in
East Alton, Illinois?.
NATHAN LEATHERS and PET BARNS had the following children:
a. MYRTLE LEATHERS was born Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?. She died
Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?.
b. GOLDIE LEATHERS was born Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?. She died
Unknown in East Alton, Illinois?.
3). JOHN BAPTIST LEATHERS was born on Nov 22 1869 in Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He died on Apr 22 1950 in Peoria, Illinois. He
was 1/2 Cherokee, 1/2 Irish. Always lived in Peoria, Ill. He was left-handed.
JOHN BAPTIST LEATHERS was married to a NELLIE MAY BURRIS on
Apr/Sept? 22 1892 in Liberty, Ill. NELLIE MAY BURRIS was born May
31,1871 Beecher City, Illinois,. She died Sept. 1936 in Ill?. JOHN BAPTIST
LEATHERS and NELLIE MAY BURRIS had the following children:
a. ROY WILLIAM LEATHERS was born Aug 23, 1893 in Beecher City, IL. He
died July 12, 1977 of Cancer in Beecher City, IL?.
b. ORVAL LEATHERS was born 1895 in ?, Illinois?. He died 1896 in Beecher
City?, Illinois?.
c. ALICE VERA [DAISY] LEATHERS was born May 6 1897 in ?, Illinois?. She
died Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?.
d. JOHN RALPH LEATHERS was born Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?. He died
Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?.
e. BEATRICE MARGARET LEATHERS was born Unknown in Peoria,
Illinois?. She died Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?.
f. EVA MILDRED LEATHERS was born Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?. She
died Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?.
g. LILLIAN MARIE LEATHERS was born Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?. She
died Unknown in Peoria, Illinois?.
4). THOMAS MARION LEATHERS was born on Jan 22 1879 in Wayne City,
Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He died on Apr 13 1950 in Dexter, Missouri,
Stoddard County. He was 1/2 Cherokee 1/2 Irish.
He married ELIZABETH BRUCE [LA BRUCE]on Sep 1 1900 in Huntsville,
Mo.? Randolph County. ELIZABETH BRUCE was born on Oct 2 1885 in
Huntsville, Mo.?. She died on Sep 29 1968 in Cape Girardeau. She was French.
THOMAS MARION LEATHERS and ELIZABETH BRUCE had the following
children:
a. LEWIS ALVIN LEATHERS was born on Dec 5 1901 in Huntsville, Mo.? or
Dexter, Mo.?. He died on Jul 15 1963 in Dexter, Missouri, Stoddard County?.
He was 1/2 French 1/4 Irish 1/4 Cherokee. He played violin.
Married Hazel Bailey?
b. FLOYD LEATHERS was born on Sep 26 1906 in Huntsville, Mo.? or Dexter,
Mo.?. He died on Oct 2 1986 in Dexter, Missouri, Stoddard County.
c. ONIA LEON LEATHERS was born on Sep 26 1906 in Huntsville,Mo.? or
Dexter, Mo.?. She died in 1907 in Dexter, Missouri, Stoddard County?. Fell off a
porch and broke her neck.
d. was born on Jun 20 1908 in Huntsville, ALFRED NEWTON LEATHERS
Mo.? or Dexter, Mo.?. He died in 1979 in Dexter, Missouri, Stoddard County.
e. ORVILLE CLEO LEATHERS was born on Oct 7 1912 in Huntsville, Mo.? or
Dexter, Mo.?. He died in 1985 in Dexter, Missouri, Stoddard County?.
f. HAROLD CLIFTON LEATHERS was born on Apr 20 1914 in Dexter,
Missouri, Stoddard County.
g. PEARLINE LEATHERS-KRUSE was born on May 16 1918 in Dexter,
Missouri, Stoddard County. **Main historian**
h. MARION EUGENE LEATHERS was born on Nov 20 1921 in Dexter,
Missouri, Stoddard County.
i. RAYMOND EUGENE LEATHERS was born on Jan 21 1924 in Dexter,
Missouri, Stoddard County. Missouri, Stoddard County?.
6). ELMER LEWIS LEATHERS died in 1968 in East Alton, Illinois. He was
born Unknown in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne Co.?. He was 1/2
Cherokee 1/2 Irish.
He married IVA ANGELO Unknown in Wayne City, Fairfield, Illinois, Wayne
Co., or East Alton, Ill.?. IVA ANGELO was born Unknown in East Alton,
Illinois? or Wayne County, Ill. She died Unknown in East Alton, Illinois.
ELMER LEWIS LEATHERS and IVA ANGELO had the following children:
a. PANSY LEATHERS was born in 1907 in East Alton, Illinois?. She died in
1920 in East Alton, Illinois?.
b. VIOLET LEATHERS in Woodriver, Il? She was born Unknown in East
Alton, Illinois?.
* Means there is a picture on Myfamily.com website...need password...Contact
me and I will send a password.

I have always been told that we have Cherokee indian blood. So, I started doing a little research. My great-great grandmother Margaret Frances Leathers Born:2-22-1860 AR is on the Eastern Cherokee Guion/Miller rolls(under her married name Yeager). #33613 The rest of her family is on there as well. But she is not on the Dawes final rolls and therefore may not be recognized by the Western Cherokee.
I further learned, by talking to new found family, that my great-grandfather Clarence Morgan Yeager was fluent in Cherokee. He used to tell me stories with Cherokee words in them but never spoke any more than that to any of us.
We have a very ancient(possably 1890s) tin photo of an Indian male. (see Leathers Photos link) This very well could be my great-great-great grandfather Raleigh Harvel-Morgan Leathers Born: 12-22-1833 TN

I visited Aunt Katie's farm 10/11/2004 for the very first time. I met her grandson Marvin, who lives in the family home in North Carolina and other grand & greatgrands while I was there. It was a high moment for me because I go so much information on Katie's family members, children and all. I also got a connection with Christine's children an was able to talk to her son Milton for about 30-45 minutes by phone. We committed to keep the lines of communication open and have more discussion about the family at a later date. Milton lives in New Jersey and he has an extensive collection of photos and historical information to share with me. I am excited.