Notes
Note N1775
Index
1st Lt in the Army Air Force during WWII, from Kent, Ohio. His Master's degree thesis was based in part on studies at the Edwin S. George Reserve at the University of Michigan. His 1946 Thesis was titled "Ruffed grouse in the tamarack-hardwoods associations of southern Michigan".
"News of The Leebrick Family--Pleasant news has come concerning the Karl C. Leebrick family, formerly residents in Honolulu. Karl C. Leebrick Jr. was married in Chicago September 19 to Miss Lois Wicks of New York. They met at Syracuse university, where Dr. K.C. Leebrick Sr. was a member of the faculty prior to his going to Kent State university, Kent, O., as president of the latter institution. The bride is a second lieutenant in the medical corps, assigned to March field, Riverside, Cal.
The daughter of the Leebricks, Henrietta Leebrick, is now married to Laurel G. Parkinson, a chemist especially skilled in wartime work, who has just been moved to the Atlas Powder Co. plant at Tamaqua, Pa. Previously he was with the Atlas Powder Co. plant at Apco, O., near Kent.
Dr. Leebrick is now a major, taking a special course in the Army Civil Affairs Training School at the University of Chicago. He and Mrs. Leebrick are together at Chicago and both are well. He reports that the Civil Affairs school is stiff, both physically and mentally. His future assignment has not been determined, but he rather hopes it will be in the Pacific.
The Civil Affairs Training School work is preliminary to assignment to military government duties in occupied areas after these have been taken from the enemy. Already a large number of graduates of this training course are on duty in North Africa, in Sicily and now on the Italian mainland. Dr. Leebrick went into army service immediately after resigning as president of Kent State."--11 Nov 1943, Honolulu (HI) Star Bulletin
Notes
Note N1776
Index
1880 Census gives NC as birthplace
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Note N1777
Index
Living in Tampa, Fla at the time of her father's death.
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Note N1778
Index
Earned Agriculture Engineering degree from Kansas State University in 1979.
From the September 18, 1995 issue of "The High Plains Journal"--
'Somewhere in the life of a farmer there is happy balance between hard work and a rewarding family life. Lance and Brenda Leebrick have made a commitment to working toward that balance. The Rawlins County, KS, couple has been farming since 1981, when they were married.
'The Leebricks are the fourth generation of Leebricks to farm in Rawlins County. Their children, Daniel, Laura and Michael, are the fifth generation. Frank Leebrick moved to the area in 1905, where his son, Charles continued to farm. Wilbur, Lance's father, has retired from farming, although he continues to drive a tractor now and then. The Leebricks now rent all of his parents' land.
'Over the years, their operation has included a diversified farming operation, as well as 400 to 500 head of ewes. In 1990, the couple rented another farm and sold the ewes. They since have considered adding livestock to the operation again, but have not. The Leebricks cherish the winter, when their crops are not as demanding of their time. We have mainly concentrated on the crops, because it fits our situation so we can have time off during the winter, Leebrick says.
'He and his wife home-school their children and they also have devoted time to the Fellowship of Christian Farmers (FCF). Through FCF, Leebrick volunteers his time to build churches for rural communities in Mexico. During the winter, he spends approximately two weeks in Mexico with a group of 25 to 30 farmers. During that time, the group purchases materials and builds a 24 by 36 foot block structure. The trip also allows the U.S. farmers to learn about another culture. 'We stay with Mexican families in the community', he says. Although the hosts don't speak English and their guests are not versed in Spanish, Leebrick says they manage to communicate and learn about each other. You get a real flavor of Mexican life', he says.
'The last time Leebrick went, he also took Brenda and Daniel. All enjoyed the trip and realized the importance of the trip to the Mexican community members. "It is really valuable to them," Leebrick says. "They are really struggling, and we can provide something they need." In addition to building churches, the FCF has purchased farmland in Mexico. The income the acreage generates is used to help support the pastors of the churches.
'Leebrick became involved with FCF after reading about the group, which now has members totalling 12,000 from through the U.S. and some foreign countries.
'Farming is a common bond between the members, and they enjoy learning from each other, Leebrick says. "It provides a good chance to interact with other farmers", Leebrick says. Back home, the Leebrick's farming operation includes dryland wheat, grain sorghum and sunflowers, along with 140 acres of irrigated corn. "Dryland wheat is our mainstay," Leebrick says. Working in a rotation, Leebrick recently has started working with no-till. "We are really excited about no-till," he says. Because he can reduce time in the field, Leebrick can make each acre produce more. All of the dryland crops are in no-till, Leebrick says. The only exception is the sunflower acreage. Leebrick is concerned that the no-till method may not work as well with sunflowers as with other spring planted crops. However, he plans to try no-till sunflowers for the first time next spring. This year, Leebrick also planted 200 acres of dryland corn. "Even though it has been dry recently,it seems to be doing well," he says. Leebrick attributes that to the no-till and the moisture savings that comes with it.
'Wheat harvest turned out well for the Leebricks this year. "This year was one of the better years," Leebrick says. The test weights were good and prices have been good, due to the freeze that damaged the wheat crop further south, Leebrick says. Although he says he did have some freeze damage, the four to five inches of snow that covered most of his crop gave it some protection. It is a chance of things, like a late frost, that makes farming riskier than some might think.
The Leebricks use a number of tools to help manage their strategy. In the past, the Leebricks belonged to a marketing club that was useful to them. The club brought speakers in to teach members about the board of trade, options, futures and other aspects of risk management. The Leebricks are also members of the Kansas Farm Management Association. Through the farm management program, they have been able to see the aspects of their operation that need improvement, watch their three-year trend analysis and get tax assistance. "It has been really useful," Brenda Leebrick says. She is in charge of the books for the family farm. "We can call and get advice, which is helpful," she says. Through the Farm Management Program, the Leebricks maintain all of their financial records on the computer. "The computer has assisted us in making larger decisions, such as purchasing ground," Brenda Leebrick says. The Leebricks also can seek advice from their crop consultant. "They come every week and thoroughly check the crop," Leebrick says. Being able to have input from other people takes some of the pressure off, Leebrick says. "You really have to be on top of things," he says. With the extra advice and communication tools, such as a Data Transmission Network unit, Leebrick says he is learning all of the time. This is an information business," he says. "You have to keep up to speed on everything."
'When asked about the goals for his farm, Leebrick emphasizes higher yields, better equipment, as well as keeping up to date on technology. "I would like to see the farm continue in the hands of my children, if they are interested," he says. He also wants to continue his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers and his church. His, and his family's, focus is on the balance of farming life."