ABRAHAM LEATHERMAN DUESE HULL HUNT LONGLEY McCHESNEY STOWELL Abraham LEATHERMAN, an honored veteran of the Cival war now living retired in the city of Elgin, is a native of Illinois, born in the town of Hanover, Cook Co., Dec. 21, 1840, and is a worthy representative of one of the highly respected pioneer families of this section of the state. His father, Abraham LEATHERMAN, Sr., was born in Kentucky, October 25, 1801, and was reared in Loouisville. The paternal grandfather was only seventeen at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, but he joined the Continental army and served all through that terrible struggle, returning home to find that the other members of the family had all been killed, probably by indians. At the age of 18 yrs, Abraham Sr. left his native state and removed to Greencastle, Putnam Co., Indiana, where he engaged in farming until taking up his residence in Hanover, Cok Co., Ill. on the 20th October, 1835. Here he pre-empted four hundred acres of land which he later purchased when it came into market, and to the cultivation and improvement of the place he devoted his time and attention until 1865, when he sold it. This place was known as Leatherman's Hill, and the famous hostelry which he kept was known as Leatherman's Inn. Retiring from active business life in 1866, he purchased a small tract of land known as the John Hill farm and there made his home until coming to Elgin in 1885. Here he built a home adjoining that of our subject, where he died Feb. 16, 1889. He was a large man, standing six feet in his stockings, was of a genial temperament and was devoted to his family. In political sentiment he was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Baptist. Abraham LEATHERMAN Sr., was married at the age of 21 yrs to Miss Mary DUESE, who was born in Indiana January 18, 1803, a daughter of David DUESE, and died Feb. 18, 1889, being laid to rest by the side of her husband in the old cemetery in Elgin. She too was a faithful member of the Baptist church. Nine children were born to this worthy couple: William, born Jan. 7, 1823, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862 in Comp.I, 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war and Died of small pox while at Camp Butler Jan. 28, 1863. David, born 25 Oct. 1824, was a farmer by occupation, but is now living retired in Kansas. Sarah, born 26 Oct. 1826 married David LONGLEY, and makes her home in Chickasaw Co. Iowa. Frederick, born Nov. 5, 1828 was one of the forty-niners, and died in California, supposedly to have been murdered for his money in 1852. Jane, born Nov. 23, 1830, is the wife of Seth STOWELL, who lived for some years near Spring Brook Ill, but is now residing in Nebraska. John, born Jan. 7, 1833, was also one of the boys in blue during the Civil War, enlisting Aug. 12, 1862, Comp.F, 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was taken prisoner in June 1864, when in campaign against Price, and was confined for 9 months in Andersonville Prison, being released after the surrender of General Lee. He is now a retired farmer, living in Watseka, Ill., but also owns a place in Louisianna, where he spends the winter months. Elizabeth, born July 9, 1835, is the wife o Joseph R. McCHESNEY, of Glen Ellyn, Dupage Co., Ill. Evan, born 3 Dec. 1837, was also a Union soldier having enlisted in the spring of 1865 in the 141st Illinois Infantry, and is now a farmer living in Watseka, Iroquois Co., Ill. Abraham Jr., of this review is the youngest of the children. Reared in Hanover, Cook Co., the subject of this sketch attended the common schools during his boyhood and youth, and when not in the school room, assisted his father in the labors of the farm. Responding to hsi countrys call for aid, he enlisted Aug. 12, 1861 in Comp. F., 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Chicago. From there the regiment proceeded to Memphis, Tenn. and Mr. LEATHERMAN took part in all the marches and battles in which it took part, including the Tallahassee expedition, the Vicksburg campaign and the Arkansas expedition. He was selected as one of the guards to the prisoners brought from Arkansas to Camp Butler, where he remained on duty for about a year, going to Memphis in the spring of 1863. He was then under General Sturges in the campaign against Price, and was next with his regiment detailed to guard the railroads around Memphis, being thus engaged when the war ended. He was mustered out at that place, and discharged at Chicago, June 29, 1865, being at the time a member of what was known as the Third Board of Trade Regiment of Chicago. After his return home, Mr. LEATHERMAN successfully engaged in farming and dairying, purchasing one hundred and eighty acres of the old John Hill tract. There he carried on operations in a most profitable manner until 1883, when he came to Elgin and took up his residence at the corner of Porter Ave. and Park St. in a house which he had erected for his home. He leses his farm, and is now enjoying that ease and retirement which should always follow a useful and honorable career. On the 13th of June, 1867, Mr. LEATHERMAN was united in marriage with Miss Josephine A. McCHESNEY, born in Chicago, and a daughter of James H. and Mary Brown (Hull) McCHESNEY, who were born in New York City, and are now living in Adams Co., Wisc. They have eight children living, namely: Josehpine, Mary and James, deceased, Margaret, Jane , Samuel, Joseph, John, deceased, and James, Mark, and Myrtle. To Mr. and Mrs. LEATHERMAN have been born the following named children: William O., born 15 April 1868, died 20 sept. of that year; Jess T., born 8 July 181872, died Sept. 13, 1872; Foneta M.M., born July 10, 1875, is now the wife of Edward HUNT, of Hanover, Ill.; Ida D. born July 18,1880, and May E. born May 12, 1888, are both at home. The parents are both consistent members of the Congregational church, and are widely and favorably known. Politically Mr. LEATHERMAN is identified with the Republican party and socially affiliates with the Elgin post #49, GAR. His efforts in life have been crowned with success, so that he now enjoys a hamdsome competence, and his career has ever been such as to win for him the respect and confidence of all who know him. The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Ill. Published 1898, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago Page 159 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.