# Leonard Dawson — One of Ours character guide

> Leonard Dawson in One of Ours by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Leonard, Len, big Leonard Dawson

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

A prosperous neighboring farmer, big and steady, who once slapped Bayliss Wheeler over a girl and is now marrying Susie Grey.

## Who they are

Leonard belongs to the solid, working world of the Frankfort countryside—harvests, neighborly help, and old grudges settled with a slap. His coming marriage to Susie Grey resurfaces the memory of that quarrel with Bayliss, a reminder that the Wheeler name is not universally admired. He stands for the life Claude might have had: strong, respected, and rooted, but perhaps a machine with the springs broken inside.

## Relationships

### [Claude Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/claude_wheeler)

_friendship_

Claude respects Leonard as a capable, practical farmer and neighbor, though they are not close confidants.

### [Claude Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/claude_wheeler)

_friendship_

Claude respects Leonard as a capable, practical farmer and neighbor, though they are not close confidants.

### [Claude Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/claude_wheeler)

_friendship_

Claude respects Leonard as a capable, practical farmer and neighbor, though they are not close confidants.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii)

A successful young farmer who meets Claude at the circus; their conversation ends amicably but Claude feels judged.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii)

Reported Jerry's horse beating and is engaged to Susie Grey.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xiii)

Leonard Dawson teases Claude about Ralph's lavish purchases, noting there's nothing left in the furniture store for him and Susie.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as having told Enid about Claude working in the field after being cut.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii)

His horse Billy is pressed into service; his wife Susie helps but is pregnant and overwhelmed by heat.

### [Building the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/x)

Leonard jokes with Claude about the depth of his cellar and Enid's possible desire to go to China, revealing his own skepticism about the match.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned in relation to his cornfield being a danger to the quail.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i)

Visits Claude to discuss borrowing the thrasher; expresses anger at Enid's chicken methods and her absence; discusses the war news and his own family life.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v)

Buys Claude's cow and chickens after Enid leaves.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/viii)

Reveals his own plan to join the Marines, citing Belgium, the Lusitania, and Edith Cavell as motivations.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters/leonard_dawson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/characters