Thomas J. Leist was born July 15, 1837, in Washington Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, the son of John David Leist and Catherine Valentine. He was married 3 times, his first wife having been Mary Hoffman, whom he married on May 31, 1857. She was born October 19, 1836 and died September 26, 1863. They were the parents of three children: David, Lewis and Elizabeth Leist. Thomas J. Leist married 2nd on May 11, 1865, to Ellen Wahn (Wann), who was born August 12, 1844 and died January 5, 1875. They were the parents of four children: Isadora, Susanna, Henry J. and Sarah Catherine Leist. Thomas married 3rd on August 22, 1876, to Susanna Young, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Graul Young. She was born June 13, 1847 and died April 4, 1913. There were no known children from this marriage. Thomas passed away on March 6, 1918, in Pickaway Township, and was buried on the 9th in Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery in Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio.


From Karen DeLong Feisel:

According to Thomas' death certificate he was born July 15, 1837; but the family bible of his father states Thomas was born on July 13, 1837. Family information passed down to Miriam Heinke states that Thomas had a fair complexion and was a small man. An article in "Pickaway Places - Pickaway People" by Darlene Weaver of the Pickaway County Historical Society talks about the old tavern at Camp Charlotte in Saltcreek Township. Leistville's early name was Camp Charlotte because it was located relatively close to the fortifications built by Lord Dunmore in 1774. The Camp Charlotte marker is located on State Route 56 at the Charles Morris home which isnot too far from the intersection of State Route 159. Darlene stated that an 1858 map shows the "C. Grabbs Hotel" at the tavern site. The land owner was listed as the Rev. J. Leist. An 1844 map shows the land owned by W. Gill. Thomas J. Leist owned and managed the tavern at Camp Charlotte during the Civil War and afterward until 1870. He then retired and leased the tavern to others who changed the name to Leistville in honor of Mr. Leist. Several famous people stayed at the tavern, including General Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and President Santa Anna of Mexico. Nowadays, the site of the tavern is only visible by a sunken space in the field. The tavern was torn down around 1920. The "Valentine Family Genealogy" states Thomas lived in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, Ohio in 1880; in 1900 he was at Circleville. This is also stated in "Leist & Allied Families.


From the Ohio Death Certificate of Thomas J. Leist:

County of Death:Pickaway
City of Death:Pickaway Township
Full name:Thomas J. Leist
Residence:Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, Ohio
Sex:Male
Color:White
Marital Status:Widowed
Date of birth:July 15, 1837
Age:80 years, 9 months, 21 days
Profession:Farming
Birthplace:Ohio
Father's name:John D. Leist
Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Mother's Maiden:unknown
Birthplace:unknown
Informant:Mrs. Harry Butler, Circleville, Ohio
Burial:Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery
Date:March 9, 1918
Funeral firm:Mader & Ebert, Circleville, Ohio
Date of Death:March 6, 1918
Time of Death:4:30 p.m.
Cause of Death:Hepatic Carcinoma
Contributory cause:unknown
Attending Phys.:George T. Row


Obituary for Thomas J. Leist probably from the Circleville Herald, March, 1918:

"THOMAS J. LEIST died at his home in Pickaway Township, Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock from the effects of cancer of the liver, aged 80 years, 9 months and 21 days. Deceased is survived by one son, Henry Leist, and three daughters, Miss Susie at home, Miss Elizabeth of Washington Township, and Mrs. Harry Butler of this city. The funeral will occur from the Morris United Brethren Church, Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock standard, interment in the Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery, arrangements in charge of Directors Mader & Ebert."

--ALSO--

"Thomas J. Leist Dead. Thomas J. Leist, farmer, died Wednesday afternoon March 6, at 4:30 o'clock at his home in Pickaway Township, of cancer of the liver. Mr. Leist was a son of John D. Leist, and was in his eighty-first year. He was married three times. He is survived bya son, Henry Leist and a daughter, Miss Susie, at home. Another daughter, Miss Elizabeth Leist, lives in Washington Township. Of his immediate family, there are surviving one sister, Mrs. John Bolender, and three brothers: John D., G. F., and Sylvester Leist, all of WashingtonTownship. The funeral was held from the Morris Church, Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Rev. H. O. Davis officiated and burial was in the Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery."