John GREENLEAF & his family settled on upper Mill Creek at what is now known as Gay, in Jackson county, "in a very early day". Some county court orders spell his name as 'greenleaves'. Papers signed by him have 'Greenleaf. His grandson Virgil GREENLEAF says he never heard of it as Greenleaves. Family tradition has it that John GREENLEAF was born or spent the first 5 years of his life on the upper waters of the Little Kanawha. He was living on his farm on Mill Creek when the county of Roane was formed; his family all grown up then & had married his second wife Catherine COX, widow of Philip D. COX- pioneer merchant of Reedy.

To John GREENLEAF & his first wife were born: George Riley m. Harriet RAINES 3 JUN 1856 daughter of John RAINES of Flat Fork; Elliott; Seymore; John Jr; Benjamin; Thorton; Ruhama "Ruie"; Caroline & Mary.

Children born of George Riley & Harriet GREENLEAF: Filmore, Mary M, John Franklin m. Martha M. HUNT 10 FEB 1884, & Virgil H. m. Katie RYAN 13 SEP 1891 daughter of Rev. Thomas P. RYAN. John Franklin "Frank" was chief of police of Spencer at one time.