Sacramento County
Biographies
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.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 893-894. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.