JACKSON LEONARD, farmer, section 20, Ashland Township, was born in Erie Co., N.Y., Sept. 27, 1834, and is a son of Orrin and Harriet (Richardson) Leonard. His parents were born in the State of New York, of Scotch descent. They went to Chautauqua Co., N.Y., in 1838, where the son obtained his education and worked on his father's farm until he was 18 years old.
In 1852 Mr. Leonard went to Marion Co., Ind., going thence to Illinois. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1857, and in 1859 went to Wisconsin, where he operated as a lumberman two years, returning to Michigan for a permanent settlement. In 1869 he located on section 20, where he bought 80 acres of land, all heavily timbered. Of this he has placed 45 acres under improvements, and erected suitable and substantial farm buildings. He was married Feb. 7, 1866, in Muskegon County, to Susan A., daughter of Jabez Carter. She was born in Oswego Co., N.Y., and came to the county where her marriage took place, when she was 17 years old.
Mr. Leonard belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Blue Lodge No. 331, of Newaygo. Himself and wife are members of Grange No. 545, of Ashland Center, of which he is and has been Treasurer. He is a decided and active Republican and has held various township offices.