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Among the many in Scott county who have felled the forests and broken out the virgin prairies is J. Randolph Leib. He is a native of Scott county and was born September 4, 1842. His earlier years were of the farm and to the farm he has given his life work. His education, in book lore, is limited, but the practical side of it has been very thorough and complete, as is evidenced by the accomplishments of a half-century of usefulness and toil. He was a worthy young man and bore a splendid reputation for honesty and good character.

November 6, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary E. Grady. She is a native of Scott county and has spent her entire life here. To Mr. and Mrs. Leib were born three children, viz: Justin, Harvey E. and Lois. Justin is yet living; Harvey E., the second son, died in 1899, and Lois (Mrs. E. F. Walker) died August 23, 1902. Harvey E. Leib was born August 11, 1870. He attended the country schools; made the best of his opportunities, secured a certificate and taught several terms of school in the county. He was successful as a teacher and his work always gave satisfaction. In the fall of 1896 he entered the state university at Urbana and remained a student there until he was nominated by the democrats of Scott county for the office of county superintendent of schools, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1898 by a majority of 553 votes, thus demonstrating that he was a very popular young man. While attending the university he made a profession of religion and united with the Baptist church at Urbana. Later he placed his membership with the church at Winchester. Shortly after assuming the duties of his office he was stricken with tuberculosis, submitted to an operation at the Champaign hospital, which proved ineffectual, and died January 27, 1899. He was a member of the Exeter lodge, No. 824, A.F. & A.M., and was buried with Masonic honors, Deputy Lecturer D. B. Hutchinson of Jacksonville, conducting the beautiful ritualistic service at the grave.

J. Randolph Leib is one of the substantial farmers in the neighborhood of Exeter, residing about two and a half miles south of that village, where he enjoys the blessings of close friendships and an extended acquaintance. He is a staunch democrat and stands every ready with his presence, his counsel or his ballot to further the democratic cause. In the years of his life in Scott county, he has so lived that, as he faces his neighbors, he has the consoling thought of life's duties faithfully discharged.