Felix N. Leslie, a substantial farmer of Knox Township, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1842, the son of Hugh Leslie, a native of the same State, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandfather came to America, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, after which he settled in Pennsylvania. Hugh Leslie married Rebecca Negley, a native of that State and of German descent.

In 1871 our subject bought forty acres of land, a part of his present farm, to which he has since added until he now owns 240 acres of fine farm land. He is a Union-Labor man, and a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

He was a soldier in the late civil war from Scott County, Iowa, in Company G, Twentieth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Vicksburg, siege of Ft. Morgan and Ft. Blakely, Alabama, and also in many skirmishes. He served three years, and was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama. At the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Mr. Leslie was in the Twentieth Iowa Infantry, and marched from near Wilson's Creek (Springfield), Missouri, day and night, halting only long enough to make coffee, for nearly three days, and without any halt went into the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. They traveled a distance of 112 miles. The regiment was composed of guard troops, which stood the shock of the charge as well as veterans.

Mr. Leslie has been a hard-working man, having made a good farm from wild prairie. He landed in this country without much means, and by perseverance and industry he has acquired a handsome property. He is a member of the U. S. Grant Post, Avoca, Iowa.

He was married in Clinton County, Iowa, to Catherine A. McAllister, daughter of Peter and Jane McAllister, and to them have been born nine children: Frank H., Nora A., Maggie R., Hugh Edmund, Charles T., Joseph B., Jesse N., Daniel P. and Harry A.