Among the successful merchants, and enterprising business men of Trenton, is Frank Leonhard, proprietor of the Broadway store. He was born at Highland, Madison county, on the 3d of January, 1843. His father, Mathias Leonhard, was born at Roth, in Baden, in the year 1811. He grew up to manhood in his native town, and learned the trade of a cabinet maker, at which he worked as long as he lived in Germany, and for some years after coming to this country. He emigrated to America in 1838. He first settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, and then went back to Germany. After a short stay there, he returned to America, and coming to this state, settled at Highland, in Madison county. He engaged in farming for a couple of years near Highland, and subsequently carried on the cabinet making business at Highland. At that place he married Josepha KNOEBEL, who was born at Mingolsheim, in Baden. He resided at Highland till 1854, and then came to Trenton. He was one of the first citizens of German birth to become a resident of this town, which had been started only a short time previous to his arrival. He opened a hotel, and lived at Trenton till his death, which took place on the 27th of November, 1872.

Frank Leonhard, the subject of this sketch, was the oldest of five children. He was eleven years of age at the time his father became a resident of Trenton. He secured his education in the public schools of Highland and of Trenton. On the 25th of June, 1868, he married Lizzie EMIG, daughter of Peter Emig, Sr., a sketch of whose history appears elsewhere. In June, 1878, he purchased of Mr. Emig the Broadway store, of which he has since been the owner. His stock of goods is among the most complete in Trenton, and comprises a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, hardware, and other articles usually found in a general store. He has managed the business in a successful manner. He has six children, whose names are Amelia, Adolph, Louis Napoleon, Edward, Elmer, and Kate. He has been actively engaged in business, and has paid but little attention to politics, and has never been desirous of filling a public office. Though still a young man, he is one of the oldest residents of Trenton, his life from boyhood having been spent in the town. On another page appears a view of his store in Trenton.

Source: History of Marion and Clinton Counties, Illinois, 1881, Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia

Submitted by: Pamela Safriet

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