"History of Southern Oregon, Comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and
Coos Counties.  Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources."  A. G. Walling,
Publisher.  Portland, OR.  1884.  pg. 532.

CAPT. JOSIAH B. LEEDS
	
	The subject of this sketch was born in Leedspoint, Atlantic county, New
Jersey, December 1, 1829, and is a son of Clayton and Jemima (Higby) Leeds.  His
father being a native of Leeds, England, and for forty-seven years a sailing
master on the briny deep.  Our subject learned his vocation from his father,
with whom he went to sea when but eight years old.  From 1837 to 1865, he
followed a seafaring life, filling every position on board a vessel from cabin
boy to master, attaining the latter position when twenty-two years of age.  In
June, 1851, Captain Leeds sailed into San Francisco, as mate of the schooner
"Frances Helen" - his eldest brother being captain.  On arriving in the
metropolis of California, Josiah was made master of the above named schooner,
and engaged in the coasting trade.  May 10, 1853, he crossed the Umpqua bar and
arrived for the first time at Gardiner, where he now resides.  At that time but
one house was standing where now is a thriving town.  In the fall of 1865
Captain Leeds concluded to give up the sea and settle on terra firma.  He
selected the present townsite of Gardiner for his future home, and in that year
purchased some 300 acres of land.  In 1876 he laid out the town, and in
partnership with G. S. Hinsdale and Edward Bzreen, began the erection of the
well known Hinsdale mills, now the property of the Gardiner Mill Company.  In
1882 Mr. Leeds severed his connection with the Hinsdale Mill Company and has
since been engaged in the stock and butchering business.  After many years of
toil on land and sea he is anchored in a snug harbor, surrounded by the comforts
of a happy home.  Mr. Leeds was united in marriage in San Francisco to Miss
Eliza Bartholomew, a native of Pennsylvania, by which union they had a family of
eight children, four of whom are living, viz: Mary K., Clayton J., Bertha J. and
Ida E.  

Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.