William Leppert is a representative of the industrial interests of Tippecanoe City, being the leading blacksmith and carriage manufacturer of this place. Recognizing the fact that industry is the keynote to success, he has not failed to apply himself closely to his work, and in this manner his labors, being guided by sound judgment and supplemented by honorable dealing, he has won not only a comfortable competence but also the respect of his fellow men. He is numbered among the native sons of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Pomeroy, Ohio, on the 13th of February, 1852.

His father, Rev. John Leppert, was born in Almanswier, Germany, January 19, 1828. Dorothea (Geyer) Leppert, the mother of our subject, was born in Durmstein, Germany, October 27, 1830. Mr. Leppert was a Methodist minister, and when our subject was eight years of age he removed to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the succeeding four years were passed. On the expiration of that period they located near Dillsburg, Indiana, upon a farm, and William Leppert, assisted in the labors of the field and meadow until seventeen years of age, when he went to Piqua, where he served a three-years apprenticeship to the carriage making and blacksmithing trades. During that time he received his board and only enough money to buy his clothes. His employer was R. P. Spiker, under whose direction he obtained a thorough knowledge of the business, becoming an expert workman. After completing his apprenticeship he went to Casstown, Ohio, and entered the employ of David B. Knoop, with whom he remained for nine years as a most competent and trusted employee. He then entered into partnership with H. Hance and began the business of blacksmithing and carriage- making on his own account. After a year had passed he sold his interest to his partner and in March, 1881, came to Tippecanoe City, where he worked at his trade for a year, in the employ of Joseph Bowsman. He then conducted a blacksmith shop of his own for a year, after which he sold out and removed to Cortland, Indiana, where he conducted a shop for three and a half years. During that time, in 1886, he founded and patented the well known Climax wagon, selling a half interest in his patent to Messrs. Gardiner and Cross. A company was organized for the manufacture of this wagon and the plant was established and operated in Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Leppert continuing an active member of the firm until 1887, when he sold out to his partners and returned to Tippecanoe. For two years he conducted a blacksmith and carriage-making shop in the lower part of the town, at the expiration of which time his former partners in Louisville offered him the position of manager of the Climax Buggy Company. Accepting the offer he remained in Louisville until 1892, when he again came to Tippecanoe City, and in March of the following year erected his present blacksmith, carriage and paint shop, the main building being 24x80 feet and two stories high. There is also an addition 24x30 feet, two stories in height. This is the leading blacksmith and carriage-manufacturing industry in the city, and a very liberal patronage is accorded the proprietor, who is now conducting one of the leading industrial concerns of the place.

On the 26th of January, 1872, Mr. Leppert was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Lower, who died the following year. In 1874 he married her sister, and this union has been blessed with three children, Edward, Harry and Grace.

In his political views Mr. Leppert is a Republican, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Tippecanoe City Lodge, No. 174, A. F. & A. M., also of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Miami county. He is self-educated and self-made. A feeling of respect is always accorded one who starts out in life amid unfavoring circumstances and who wrests fortune from the hands of an adverse fate. This Mr. Leppert has done, and to-day he stands among the substantial citizens of his adopted county. He has been true to every manly principle, honorable in his dealings and straightforward in his relations with his fellow men, and the sterling qualities of his character command universal respect.