John Henry Thomas Leiper pitched in six games (five starts) for Columbus in the American Association in 1891, one major league stint among a handful of seasons as a professional and amateur pitcher. Born December 23, 1867 in Chester, Pennsylvania, one of six children born to John C. and Mary (Fassoux), Leiper also spent a season with Portland in the Pacific Northwest League, which is a long way from home. That said, he was successful there, winning 71% of his decisions for Portland before the league folded. (He pitched much closer to home before and after his professional career.) At some point, he finished law school and later became a justice of the peace, which was his role prior to retirement.

Leiper was pitching for a team in Cape May, New Jersey when Columbus came calling. After a meeting with the manager Gus Schmelz, Leiper agreed to join Columbus after Cape May’s season ended. The southpaw was a member of the Solons for 31 days, splitting four decisions but not proving he was ready for fast company in part because he walked 39 batters in 45 innings. By then, he was already two years into his legal studies, but he had a reputation as a competent fielder and pitcher. The Daily Local News wrote, “…He is a young man of good habits, is strong and active and a good all-around athlete. He pitched well, besides being a great base runner, batter and outfielder, and if given proper show ought to hold his own in the Association.”

Leiper’s career as a baseball player lasted until about 1899, when he finally stopped appearing in box scores of various amateur games. He also played football – until he broke his leg in a practice in 1896. By the end of the century, he was working in a legal position on Long Island, settling in South Huntington, New York where he left the law to purchase a farm and train hunting dogs. He would stay involved in civic affairs there, eventually becoming a justice of the peace in his New York home. He married Anna Ferry Feltz, but the long marriage produced no children.

Leiper lived a long life – 92 years – before passing to the next league on August 23, 1960. In truth, he died of old age, but the PA death certificate says heart disease tied to arteriosclerosis. By then, he was living in a nursing home. He is buried next to his wife, Anna, in the Leiper Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. And, yes – that church is named for one of his ancestors. Thomas Leiper, a wealthy tobacco farmer, bought the land and built a church there while serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. (The church was rebuilt years later after a fire took down the original building.) Thomas was a member of the Electoral College for a handful of elections. Andrew Jackson and James Buchanan both said prayers in the church…

The history here on both sides of Leiper’s family is rather interesting. John’s mother was active in the church and during the war she provided nursing services to fallen soldiers on both sides of the Great War for Slavery. Her father ran the Schuylkill arsenal before turning over the job to one of Mary’s brothers.

Notes:

PA Death Certificates

“Outdoor Sports,” Daily Local News (West Chester, PA), September 4, 1891: 4.
“A Smart Game Well Won,” Portland Oregonian, August 4, 1892: 2.
“The Portland Club,” Portland Oregonian, August 23, 1892: 3.
“Brandywines Victorious,” Daily Village Record (West Chester, PA), September 22, 1892: 3.
“The Old Leiper Church,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 19, 1893: 7.
“A Foot-Baller’s Leg Broken,” Philadelphia Times, October 16, 1896: 8.
“30 Years Ago,” Chester Times, May 18, 1929: 6.
“30 Years Ago,” Chester Times, October 29, 1931: 6.
“‘Honest John’ Leiper 70 Yrs. Young,” Delaware County Daily Times (West Chester, PA), January 7, 1938: 16.
“Hughie Knew All of ‘Em,” Delaware County Daily Times (Chester, PA), August 30, 1958: 11.