BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
ALBUM of GENEALOGY and BIOGRAPHY, COOK
COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Chicago - LaSalle Book Company successor to Calumet
Book & Engraving Co.
1899
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MICHAEL LEONARD,
who comes of very old German stock, is one of our many prominent
citizens and business men who were born in the Fatherland but have
adopted America as their country, and came here to better their
financial standing. He was born May 7, 1841, in Bavaria,
Germany, in the village of Schmitzhausen. His parents were
Michael and Mary (Gabriel) Leonard. Michael Leonard,
senior, died in 1845. He conducted a general store in his
native land.
His wife and three children emigrated from their native
land in 1851, arriving in New York, where Michael Leonard,
senior, died in 1845. He conducted a general store in his
native land.
His wife and three children emigrated from their native
land in 1851, arriving in New York, where Michael attended
school two years. He then obtained employment in a match
factory and began the battle of life in earnest. After five
months he entered a hat factory, remaining one year. He spent
eighteen months subsequently in a candle factory, and at the age of
eighteen years began an apprenticeship in the lithographing business
with Ferdinand Meyer & Company, at No. 96 Fulton Street.
He served one year over his time, and during that time was variously
employed.
In 1866 Mr. Leonard located in Chicago and
entered the service of the Western Bank Note engraving Company,
located at the southwest corner of La Salle and Randolph Streets,
where he remained one year as lithographer. He returned to New
York and for three years worked in various lithographing
establishments. He made his home in Morrisania, which is one
of New York's suburbs. At this time he was a member of the
Monitor Engine Company, No. 2, Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1869 Mr. Leonard again took up his residence
in Chicago, and entered the employ of the Charles Shober
Lithographing Company, located at the southeast corner of Clark and
Lake Streets. He next spent a short time with Louis Nelke,
at No. 42 Clark Street, and then again entered the employ of the
Western Bank Note Engraving Company, and was with it until the
Chicago fire in 1871, when this establishment was burned. It
later started business in the Grain Manufacturer's Building on South
Jefferson Street. Mr. Leonard spent a short time with
Edward Mandel, at Twenty-second and State Streets, and two
years in the employ of Ezra A. Cook, though not occupied all
of that time. Mr. Cook was located on Wabash Avenue
near South Water Street. Still later, having been one year
with Mr. Sherwood, on Arcade Court, he entered the employ of
Culver, Page & Hoyne, at No. 140 Monroe Street, who were
succeeded by the John Morris Company. This house was in
turn succeeded by P. F. Pettibone & Company. Mr.
Leonard has been engaged in the interests of this concern the
past sixteen years, and is a valued, honored and trusted employe.
Michael Leonard has a brother, Jacob, who is engaged
in the same business as his brother, and is living with his wife and
son in Chicago.
July 16, 1871, Mr. Leonard was married to
Elizabeth Hilcher, a daughter of Charles and Louisa (Hoppa)
Hilcher. Charles Hilcher was born in Breslau, Germany, and
emigrated to Philadelphia. His daughter, Elizabeth, was
born in that city, and Mr. Hilcher removed his family to
Chicago in 1858. His children were named: Louisa,
Charles, and Jennie (twins), Mr. and Mrs. M. Leonard
were six in number, three of whom are deceased; they are
respectively: Henry, died at the age of seven months; Lily,
at the age of eight months; and Joseph, who died at the age
of three years. Of the living, Edward Michael, aged
twenty-six years, is employed by H. H. Kohlsaat & Company at
Nos. 331-335 Dearborn Street, as manager. He married Rye B.
Combs, who is head assistant principal of the Auburn Park school,
and lives at No. 6503 Stewart Avenue. George Arthur,
aged twenty-four years, married Ollie Hagert, and resides at
No. 895 North Halsted Street. The youngest child, Jennie, at
the time of the writing, resides at home.
Michael Leonard is a Democrat in politics, and
was reared at Roman Catholic, following the teachings of his father.
Mrs. Leonard the teachings of his father. Mrs.
Leonard comes of Protestant people. He is a man of quiet
and peaceable demeanor, but an interesting conversationalist.
He is skilled in his art and well known among lithographing concerns
in the city. He is an example of thriving German stock and has not
neglected his opportunities.
Source: Album of Genealogy and Biography, Cook County, Illinois -
Publ. Chicago-LaSalle Book Company successor to Calumet Book &
Engraving Co. - 1899 - Page |
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