John B. LOWRY
Farmer - P.O. Pekin
Attended schools in Clark and Tazewell Co.
Member of the Methodist ChurchBorn: Jefferson County, Ohio
Parents: William and Martha Ann (McCoy)1862 Married Sarah C. CLATON
Their Children
William E. b. Nov. 14,1863
John C., b. March 18, 1867
John M., b. March 13,1869
George M., b. May 15, 1874The source for these Sketches came from the History of Tazewell County, IL, 1880.
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Portrait and Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Co. IL 1894, p. 414:
Betty Doremus edoremus@mtco.comTHOMAS H. LEONARD, who carries on farming on section 35, Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County, was born at his present place of residence April 16, 1838. His grandfather, Ezekiel Leonard, was a native of North Carolina; he married Rebecca Hodgson, also of that state. In 1803, they removed with their family to Ohio, becoming pioneer settlers of Clinton County, where Mr. Leonard entered land and opened up a farm, there making his home for twenty-eight years. In 1831, he came with his wife and children to Illinois, settling in Elm Grove Township, where he again entered land. Upon the farm which he improved he spent his remaining days, passing away March 1, 1849, at the age of seventy-seven. His wife was called to her final rest in July, 1851. They had seven children, five of whom grew to mature years.
Thomas Leonard, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, April 13, 1801, and from his third year until he had attained the age of twenty lived in Ohio. At that time he came west and settled in Elm Grove Township, where he took up land from the Government. The wild and unimproved tract he transformed into a good farm, making his home throughout his remaining days. It is now the property of our subject. In the Buckeye State Thomas Leonard, Sr. married Hannah Starbuck, who was born in January, 1802, in North Carolina. She is the daughter of Gear Starbuck, who was born on Nantucket Island, and who went to North Carolina, thence removing to Ohio, where he lived until his death, which occurred when past the age of ninety years. Unto Thomas and Hannah Leonard were born nine children, as follows: Nathan, of Johnson County, Ill.; Matilda, wife of William Lindsey, of Mackinaw Township, Tazewell County; Eli, who died in 1884, at the age of sixty years; Allen, of Elm Grove Township; Alfred E., now of Florida; Rebecca, who died in 1884, at the age of fifty; Levi G., of Elm Grove; Thomas H., of this sketch, and Susanna, who became the wife of William Eads, and died at the age of twenty-five. The father of this family was called to his final rest in January, 1876, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife passed away in April, 1864, at the age of sixty-two.
Our subject has always lived upon his present farm. He was early inured to the arduous labors of the field, and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority, when he took an interest in the old home. Five years later he assumed the entire management, and has since carried on the work of further cultivation and improvement. He is a man of practical, yet progressive ideas, and his enterprise is shown in his business. His farm comprises two hundred and forty acres, and upon eight acres of this are three miles of tiling. He has expended $2,000 in draining the place, and has transformed the otherwise swampy land into rich and fertile fields.
Mr. Leonard was married May 25, 1865, to Mary E. Loy, a native of Pekin Township, Tazewell County, and a daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (Largent) Loy, the former native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. Five children have been born to them, Emer A., now of Tremont; Elmon Loy, who is living in another house on the old homestead; Mertie M. and Ednie T., who are with their parents, and Mary C., who is now attending school. The family is one of prominence in the community, the household is the abode of hospitality, and its members rank high in social circles. In politics, Mr. Leonard is a stalwart Democrat, and for some years held the office of Path Master. He was afterward Road Commissioner for three years, and in 1887 was elected Supervisor, which position he filled for four terms. He is now serving his third year as School Trustee of his township. In all his public offices he has been found faityful and true, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, which have won him high commendation. The best interest of the community have ever found in him a friend, and he is regarded as one of the progressive, leading and representative farmers of his township. His life has been an honorable and upright one, and has won him the confidence and high regard of many friends.
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Portrait and Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Co. IL 1894, p. 414:
Betty Doremus edoremus@mtco.com
LEVI G. LEONARD has the honor of being a native of Tazewell County. He was born in Elm Grove Township, April 19, 1836, and has here spent his entire life, his home being now on section 34. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, attending the district school throughout the winter season, and aiding in the labors of the farm throughout the summer months. When he had arrived at years of maturity, he became interested with his father in farming and stock-dealing, and to that work has since devoted his energies.
An important event in the life of Mr. Leonard occurred on the 31st of December, 1861, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Amanda Pickernell, a native of East Stoughton, Mass., and one of a family of nine children, whose parents were Samuel and Melvina (Dean) Pickernell. Her father was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1818, and her mother was a native of Massachusetts. In 1855 her parents came to the west with their family and took up their residence in Tremont Township, Tazewell County. Mr. Pickernell responded to the country's call for troops after the breaking out of the late war, enlisting among the boys in blue of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. He died in the service in April, 1862, at the age of forty-seven years. His widow still survives him and is now living with her children, at the age of eighty-three.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Leonard were born thirteen children, eleven of whom are yet living: Hannah S., at home; Melvina D., wife of Eugene I. Miars, of Adair County, Iowa; Thomas E., who lives in Iroquois County; and Ermina A., Hattie, Estelle May, Levi C., Samuel P., Charles G., Roy A., and Nellie L., all of whom are yet under the parental roof. Frederick died in early childhood, and Clayton died at the age of six years. In the family to which Mrs. Leonard belonged there are four children yet living: Mrs. Cornelia Coleman of Sioux City, Iowa' Windsor, who is also living in Iowa; and Hattie, wife of George Fritz, of Chicago. Three of the family died in infancy. Wilbur enlisted in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry during the late war, and died in March, 1862, at the age of twenty-two. Arvilla died in March, 1862, at the age of seventeen.
In his political views Mr. Leonard has always been a stalwart Democrat, and has served as a member of the Democratic County Central Committee for several years, during which time he has done effective service for his party. He has been called to public offices of honor and trust, and for the long period of twenty-four years has been School Director of his township, during which time he has served as Clerk of the Board. In 1887 he was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to fill the office. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and the best interests of the community ever receive his hearty support and co-operation. He is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the community, and is a man of sterling worth.
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