Leon Historical Society

05/24/2026

I wanted to share last Saturday at church, May 16th Cindy from
Fredonia found these stocking, after her mother’s passing in a envelope
with my great-grandmother’s hand -writing Eunice Benson Dexter’s
WEDDING STOCKINGS THAT SHE HAD KNIT FOR HER WEDDING TO
HORACE ROBINSON, I am guessing that she was a short woman.
Horace, per his military records, was 5’3”, Black Hair, Gray eyes, and

Dark Complexion.

Eunice was born 24 July 1834 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York and died
20 Jan 1909 in cottage, Cattaraugus, New York, where she and her
husband and children was buried. Her Father was Clark Wheeler
Dexter, born 11 Dec 1801 in Scipio, Cayuga County. New York and died 6
Oct 1829 in Scipio, dying when the horse was frightened and there was
a buggy accident that she died from. Apparently, Clark moved to Leon.
They had two children, James and Lydia, James was “lent “out to
someone as a young worker. He ran away and ended up in Michigan, as did his sister. Clark married a 2nd time to Dolly Pratt and they had four children: Eunice Benson Dexter, Bela Edward Dexter, Dolly Ann Dexter
and Clark Lester Dexter. Bela married Susan Sophia Bump and Dolly
Ann married Orin Wallace Bump. Clark Lester never married. Clark
Lester and Beta joined the NY 10th Calvary Infantry, Company L. enlisting
in Persia, Cattaraugus, New York.Clark died in Washington, D.C. at
Lincoln General Hospital from Typhoid Fever on 31 Mar 1863 and was
buried at Soldier’s Home Cemetery and removed to be entered at Treat
Memorial Cemetery. Bela was injured and mustered out at Buffalo, N.Y.
on 27 Mar 1863 due to a sustained lifelong debilitating injury. He later

moved with his family to South Dakota.

Horace served in the NY 154th infantry, Co Enlisting in Leon.

The picture is the stocking knit by Eunice for her wedding to Horace.

05/10/2026

Leon Historical Society
Summer events
The season will kick off May25th with a Memorial Day parade at 9am and a tribute at the Treat Cemetery,
Following by the reading of the Honor Roll at the gazebo in front of historical 1836 Church. “Please look at our Hometown Hero Banner that hang proudly to recognize those from Leon who served to keep our freedom,”
May 30th starts our” Spring Along the Amish Trail.”
From 10am to 4pm. Anyone who stops by the 1836 Church can register for a drawing for a car tour around the Amish countryside, value of $60.00 valid June-August.
During the month of June, we will be honoring the “Women’s Relief Corp that was organized in Leon in 1890” Honoring Elna Beckman. A display for W.R.C. is being worked on.
July 18th at 4pmm We will host Carol Cross from Rochester, who will present an exciting program with Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards. Light refreshments will be served. Donation are always appreciated.
July25th Family Day. we will be hosting “Zoo 62” a licensed facility offering exotic animals and petting Zoo. Camel and pony rides, a nominal fee from 9am. to 1pm.
Also, that day at 1pm we will host the “Cherry Creek Country Church.” Kids are doing a skit on parables
All day coloring and games.
Amish bake goods and Craft’s
August 15th. “Leon’s Town Picnic kick off at noon.”
A day of great food and fun activities held on the firemen’s grounds.
“Stop in at the little church at the four corners’ and see what we have accomplished.”
Open from May through October from 10am, to 4pm.
Every Saturday

04/07/2026

03/24/2026

Take a trip back in time with a visit through the Old Order Amish Community. They live without all the modern conveniences such as electricity, telephone, and cars. Their lifestyle separates them from the modern world. They emphasize humility, faith, family, honesty, and hard work. They are recognized by their plain dress and travel by horse and buggy.

Amish produce a variety of goods that include Quilts, Rugs, Baked Goods, Candy, Toys, wood and Iron Crafts, Furniture, Eggs, Fruits and vegetables. They sell their products from their homes; they have signs in their yards letting people know what they are selling. The Amish have a unique way of life which we respect, while on the tour we request that you are thoughtful and courteous of their ways. (no pictures of them), Only CASH!

Come join a tour where one of our Guides will join you in your vehicle and give you a 2-hour tour around the back roads and show you the great shops around the area. We will make several stops along the way where you can shop, and we will share stories of the fascinating history of the area.

Tours are available through The Leon Historical Society Museum for more information

Contact: or email us at [email protected]
Pat Bromley (716) 296-5709-H 716-680-1161-cell. Town Historian
Clayton Peterson, Pres.-716-574-9883

Cost: $60.00 per vehicle for up to six people with an additional $5.00 per additional person.
We work around how many stops or hrs. you want to do.
Short trips:
3 stops (Quilts, Greenhouse and products, H7E Harness and variety shop! (3 hrs.)

03/02/2026

Leon Historical Society 2026 Newsletter!

03/02/2026

HOME TOWN HERO BANNERS I will be submitting an order for new banners by March 1st so they will be in and ready to go up with the other ones we have by May 1st. If you would like to order a banner for a hometown veteran, please get in touch with me. I will need the veteran's name, their rank, the branch in which they served and time served, along with a good photo. Please contact me with any questions through FB or PM or you can contact Pat Bromley also who is the Town of Leon Historian. We have several banners that have been displayed along Rt 62 and Leon/ Cherry Creek Hill from early May thru mid November for the last couple of years. We would love to honor more of the local veterans, so if interested, please let me know.

12/13/2025

The Leon's Christmas program is being canceled for this year,
do to LAKE EFFECT SNOW?

12/09/2025

You are invited to attend the Community Christmas Program this Sunday, December 14th at 2pm, weather permitting.

12/05/2025

CANCELATION NOTICE: The Leon Historical Society's Community Christmas Program, originally scheduled for December 7, has been canceled due to sickness among the Sunday school kids. The program will be rescheduled for December 14th at 2 PM.

12/03/2025

LEON HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS HAVING THERE ANNUAL
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

DECEMBER 7TH SUNDAY AT 2PM.

CHRILDREN FROM CHERRY CREEK COUNTRY
CHURCH WILL PERFORM "JESUE BIRTH COME TO LIFE"

REFRESHMENTS FOLLOWING,

ALSO WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE TOP BIDDER FOR THE PATTY FROST CHAIR THAT WAS DONATED BY THE FAMILY; FOR STEEPLE REPAIR: