California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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HARRY
WORTHINGTON LEONARD Just
south of the city of Sacramento lies the old Leonard homestead, which
originally embracing one hundred and thirty acres has been reduced by
various sales of small tracts, so that the place still owned by the
family now contains only eighteen acres. Years ago the ranch was the
home of a large family, for Albert and Caroline (Merrill) Leonard were
the parents of eleven children and all but one of these attained
maturity and still survive. A native of Massachusetts the father came to
California on a sailing vessel around Cape Horn in 1849, and almost
immediately upon arriving in this state located in Sacramento, where he
was associated in different business enterprises, becoming well and
favorably known, and here he remained until his death, which occurred in
1891, when he was sixty-five years old. He was one of the first real
estate dealers in Sacramento, and for thirty years was interested in
that enterprise. The mother was born in Illinois, and crossed the plains
in 1849. Her death occurred January 8, 1912. Harry Worthington, the
youngest child born to them, first saw the light of day in Sacramento
July 7, 1877. His education was obtained in the public schools, after
which he entered the Southern Pacific Railroad shop as an apprentice
coppersmith. Completing this he spent about eleven years in the shops
and in 1907 accepted the appointment of superintendent and secretary of
the I. O. O. F. Lawn Cemetery, which position he has filled ever since.
The cemetery was established and platted in 1906, since which time there
has been a constant effort to develop the natural beauties. An
attractive entrance has been planned and trees have been planted which,
with the aid of well-kept lawns and flowers, will supplement the natural
charm of the spot, making of the cemetery one of the most beautiful in
the state. Mr. Leonard was united in marriage, March 9, 1904, with Miss Ella Jones, member of a well-known family of the capital city. The local prominence of Mr. Leonard as a worker in the Republican party led to his selection for the office of public administrator, to which he was elected in November of 1910 and which he still fills with discrimination and painstaking attention to details. From young manhood he has been actively connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for seven years he served as secretary of Eldorado Lodge No. 8, Sacramento, besides which for one term he officiated as district deputy. He is clerk of the Canton, Uniform Rank, I. O. O. F. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |