Biography - John Leigh
John R. LEIGH, farmer, P. O. Raymond, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., January 28, 1846, to Samuel and Annie (CASE) LEIGH. He received his education from the common schools of his native county. His early days were spent upon the homestead farm. At the age of nineteen he left his home and removed to Jersey County, Ill., where he embarked on his career in life as a farm hand, and continued the same in that county for a period of seven years. In 1872, he bought 160 acres of unimproved land in Montgomery County, and removed to the same in the spring of 1873, where he has since remained engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has, by his studied economy and business habits, succeeded in accumulating 240 acres of land, all of which are under a high state of cultivation. Mr. LEIGH commenced his life very poor, and, by his hard work, succeeded in accumulating a good property, and a name and reputation which is beyond reproach. He was married in 1869, in Jersey County, to Miss Carrie M. DAVIS, a daughter of Wilson DAVIS, a native of North Carolina, and among the first settlers of Jersey County. Mrs. LEIGH was born in Jersey County, Ill., June 5, 1849. Subject's father was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1804, and is now residing in New Jersey, where he has always been engaged as farmer and drover. His wife, and mother of our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1806, and died April 16, 1882. She was the mother of six children, subject being the youngest child. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Trustee. Politically, he is like his father, his sympathies being with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. LEIGH is worthy of much credit for the interest he takes in all public improvements. He has met all the ups and downs of a business career, and now stands high in the estimation of his friends. Upon his farm he makes raising grain and hogs a specialty.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 247.
