JESSE R. LEIGH, ex-Sheriff of Stephenson County and a brave and gallant soldier for the Union during the late Civil War, is now engaged in the peaceful pursuits of farm life on section 35, in Harlem Township.

The parents of our subject, Joseph and Eliza (Thompson) Leigh, were natives of Washington County, N. Y. The father was a farmer by occupation, and with his excellent wife continued to reside in Washington County until his death about 1877. The demise of the mother took place in 1835. Nine children were born of their union, all of whom lived to attain the age of maturity.

Jesse R. Leigh was the seventh in order of birth of his parents’ children. He first saw light in Washington County, N. Y., April 19, 1831, and there developed into manhood. His early years were passed on the home farm, and he continued to reside with his parents until he was about sixteen years old. At this age he began working in a gristmill and later in a tannery, and subsequently learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. This latter he followed until his enlistment in the Union army, which was in August, 1862. Joining the 92d Illinois Infantry he became First Sergeant of Company A, and served his country faithfully and well until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. He was wounded at the battle of Aiken, S. C. After thirty days’ experience in an ambulance he was assigned to the hospital at Wilmington, N. C., thence to New York, and for about three months he was there confined.

Mr. Leigh was discharged from the service June 21, and was subsequently mustered out at Chicago. He returned from the war and located in this county, to which he had moved from New York State in 1856, and since which time he has made it his home. For about two years after his return from the war he was engaged in buying grain and stock at Eleroy, and the remainder of his time until the present has been devoted chiefly to agricultural pursuits. In 1876 he was elected Sheriff of this county, and in 1878 re-elected to the same position, and was the incumbent of that office for four years. In 1881 he was appointed Deputy Revenue Collector of the Second Illinois District, which position he held until 1885, when, on account of a change of administration, he was compelled to vacate.

Jesse R. Leigh was united in marriage with Miss Harriet L. Pickard May 2, 1859, in Ogle County, this State. Mrs. Leigh was the daughter of Squire O. and Sarah (Way) Pickard, natives of Connecticut. Her parents came to this county in 1839 and settled in Erin Township. In the summer of 1865 they removed to Iowa County, Iowa, where the mother died in 1871. The father survives and is a resident of Shelby County, Iowa. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pickard, and grew to the age of maturity. Mrs. Leigh was the oldest of her parents’ children, and was born in Erin Township March 16, 1840. Several months prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching. Her union with Mr. Leigh has been blest with four children – Clarence W., Ivy C., Jennie W. and Jessie M. Clarence W. married Miss Mary Munn, and they are living in Chicago, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine. Mr. Leigh socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and likewise belongs to the G. A. R., holding fellowship with John A. Davis Post No. 98, of Freeport. In politics he is a member of the Republican party.

Transcribed by Carol Parrish
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 356