Obituary of Fred LEONBERGER, Hardin County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Wanda Reed Name of Deceased: Fred LEONBERGER Name of Newspaper: Hardin County Independent Date of Newspaper: Unknown Mr. Fred Leonberger was born in Wertenburg, GM. March the 9th. 1847 and died in the German Hospital, St. Louis, MO. August 6th. 1914, hence he was at the time of his death 67 years 4 months and 27 days old. In company with his Uncle John Leonberger family he crossed the ocean to this country when he was about 10 yrs old and settled in the southern part of Gallatin Co. IL. On coming to manhood this industrious young German pioneer sought and obtained the hand of Miss Lizzie Denton in marriage and pitched their home in the dense and apparentely nonyielding forest on the ridge known as Beaver Hill. Gradually the worth- less giants of oak and poplar gave away before the sturdy stroke of indefatigable labor and a fine farm of grain, clover and grass took its place. Six children were reared to man and womanhood who with their bereaved mother mourn the great loss they have sustained namely: Charles, who lives on the old home place, Sarah (now Mrs. William Denton of Shawneetown) Wiley, who lives on Ford's Road, Ollie (now Mrs. Sylvester Love) of Sparks Hill, George who lives on Fords Road and Clarence unmarried, living with his parents. There were also three or four children who died in infancy. Some twelve years ago he purchased a farm on Fords Road south of Equality and four or five years later made a purchase of adjoining land to the land in Hardin County although this was in Gallatin Co. This farm was improved and brought up to high standards of cultivation and productivity until it became one of the finest farms in the county, except the dwelling which was of the old style of houses. So Uncle Fred began the building of a beautiful modern dwelling this spring and had just about completed it when seized with his final illness; perhaps the additional care and labor caused by this building augmented the ailment that lead to his demise. Always taking a great delight as a teamster, he did the principal part of hauling of the building material and complained of a hurting in his side and that the jar of the wagon aggravated the symptons but he as usual persevered even against the advice of companion, children and friends, thinking that he would be able to overcome it after the hard part of the work was finished. He was obliged to take his bed with an irritated and swollen liver and with other complications that stubbornly refused to obey medical rules and remedies. Finally it was decided to remove him to the aid of a hospital for the advise of surgeons, but when he arrived in St Louis it was seen that he was too weak for the ordeal, and he soon gave over the struggle of this life. His tragic death brings to mind the saying of Dr Oliver Wendel Holmes a thought that every man and woman of middle age would do well to hang on the wall of his memory. Said he " Most people who reach their 50th milestone looses their lives from a failure to recognize old age when he comes" Old age must be protected by the cloaks of care and caution. If exposed to the same forces of labor, exertion, weather etc. as younger man he is very liable to lose his life. As to the usefulness of the life and sterling qualities of character of this pioneer citizen. I'm sorry space will not admit what ought to be written. He was one of the few men who knew how to accumulate wealth and friendship at the same time. I feel that he must have loaned more money without note or interest than any other man I ever knew who reached out a philanthrophic hand to a forgetful public. He was so generous and noble that the nobleness in other men tho sometimes apparently, sleeping rose in majesty to meet his own (paper torn) For Brother Leonberger was a consistent christian able in prayer, fervent in instruction, a deacon in Yellow Spring Church in Hardin County where he was loved and revered by both communicants and non- communicants as a patriarch of God. He was also a man who recognized the making of good institutions as important as the making of money and the school educational systems, singing schools, district and township improvements etc. received his immediate attention and support. The mortal remains was brought to the family cemetery on the old Home Farm where a large crowd of appreciative relatives and friends met to pay their sincere regards and offer words of condolence and comfort to the bereaved. Here Judge E. N. Hall of Elizabethtown delivered the funeral address from Solomons word "He that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward" After paying tribute of respect to his life which in connection with his dear companion had been a constant blessing to his family, friends and community. The speaker argued and exhorted the younger of his congregation exemplify his virtues and emulate his traits of character as the surest passports to both temporal and eternal rewards. He ceased by renewing the assurance of immortality and of heavenly recognition and with these let us be comforted. The Hand of Providence that first gave life to this revered pioneer father is able to continue that speak thru deaths cold valley. That we shall live beyond the grave is no great mystery than that we are living now. Written by E. N. Hall ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed