One of the snugest farms and most comfortable appearing homesteads in the western part of Stephenson County, is the one owned by Mr. Leckington, on section 6, Kent Township. His parents were Jacob and Christina (Acker) Leckington, who were born in Juniata County, Pa. They left that State in 1851 for Illinois, and before reaching their destination the mother and children were taken with the measles. The mother died on the boat just before they were ready to land in Bureau County. This left Mr. Leckington with a family of children upon his hands in a country and among people which were strange to him. But being a man of strong resolution he did the best under the circumstances and cared for his children to the utmost of his ability until after harvest, when he moved to Stephenson County, and settled in West Point Township, where he has resided since. There were nine children, eight of whom attained to manhood and womanhood: John died in West Point Township, when about nineteen years of age.

Henry was the youngest of the family who lived to grow to manhood. He was bom in Juniata County, Pa. March 18, 1849, and was abont three years old when his parents removed to Illinois. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years of age, and during that time availed himself of such opportunities as were presented to obtain a common-school education. At the age of twenty-six he was married and settled in Kent Township. He is the owner of ninety-live acres of land, all of which is improved, and since his residence in this township he has been continuously engaged in farming.

Our subject was married in Kent Township, on the 15th of October 1874, to Miss Hattie A. Gillett daughter of Harmon K. and Mary M. (Baird) Gillett, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York State. They moved into Stephenson County, and settled in Kent Township, where they have since resided. They have four daughters, of whom Mrs. Leckington is the eldest. She was born in Kent Township, Aug. 16, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Leckington are the parents of four children — Minnie B., Charles E., Chole D. and Mabel M. Chios and Mabel died young. Mr. Leckington has been School Director for several terms. At the time this sketch was written he was serving his third term as Constable. He belongs to the Democratic party. Mrs. Leckington is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Contributed by Christine Walters from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)