LEADABRAND, HENRY (deceased). - In naming the representative citizens of Sangamon County, Ill., the biographer finds that many of the best and most useful men that the county has had have been natives of Germany. The Fatherland has furnished the State and county with many good agriculturists, men in whom have been bred the sturdy, sterling qualities which have meant so much in the development of various sections, and who have spent long, useful lives in faithful, energetic labor. Henry Leadabrand, who was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Section 3, Ball Township, was born in Germany, in the city of Berlin, January 20, 1820, a son of Jacob and Christina Leadabrand, farming people of that country.

Henry Leadabrand was reared to the life of a farmer, and his education was secured in the public schools of his native country, where his father served a term in the army. After leaving school he served for a time as a hostler, but later engaged in farming, and in 1846, realizing that he could find a better field for his labor in the New World, he came to the United States. He made the trip in a sailing vessel, the journey covering a period of fourteen weeks, and while on board ship he met the lady who later became his wife. He first located in New York, but later removed to Ohio, where he resided four years, and finally settled in Sangamon County, Ill., where the rest of his life was passed, his death occurring in Ball Township August 18, 1899.

Mr. Leadabrand was married in New York, in November, 1846, to Christina Coalstead, who was born in Germany, in 1822, a daughter of John Coalstead, who came from Germany to New York in 1846, her three brothers, John, Michael and Jacob Coalstead, coming two years later. To Mr. and Mrs. Leadabrand were born the following children: Mary, born October 14, 1848; Joseph, April 10, 1850; Peter, November 20, 1852; George, January 22, 1856; Anna, June 18, 1854; Albert, February 3, 1859; Marie, February 17, 1862; William, July 6, 1864; Philip, July 30, 1866; Henry, November 9, 1880; Tobias, September 3, 1881; Emma, December 11, 1882; Charles, February 8, 1885; Tresie, July 1, 1888; and Jacob, March 10, 1891.

In his political faith, Mr. Leadabrand was a Democrat, and was always faithful in his adherence to the principles of that party. He was a Catholic in his religious belief. Mrs. Leadabrand now resides on a 1040 acre farm in Ball Township, on which her husband spent so many years. The family is well known in this part of the county and its members are popular and highly esteemed as some of Sangamon County's best citizens.