Seventh Generation

2719. Charles Henry LEONARD²⁵⁵⁴ was born on 23 September 1814 in Rochester, Plymouth Co., MA. He died on 24 October 1868 at the age of 54 in New Bedford, Bristol Co., MA. 5.23.3 History of Bristol County MA 1880
Charles H. Leonard, son of George and Cynthia Leonard, was born in Middleborough, Plymouth County, MA Sept. 23, 1814. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to the neighboring town of Rochester. After attending the public schools during the winters, he entered the academy at Middleborough, a school of excellent repute, the advantages of which he enjoyed and improved for three years. Like most New England boys, ambitious and self-reliant, he was eager to make a way in life, and took the usual step of engaging as a clerk in a country store. After a year's experience there he spent the three or four years following in the counting-room of Mr. Alfred Gibbs, a commission merchant in New Bedford, where his abilities had a better test and freer scope.

At that time was developed what was not inaptly termed the "Western fever," an eager and impetuous rush of emigration to the great West as a new El Dorado. Young Leonard took the disease, but in so mild a form that a year's experience cured him, and left him all the better fitted for his life-work. Returning to New Bedford, his career as a merchant at once began. Intrusted by an uncle with a shipment of oil for sale in New York, he visited that city and addressed himself to the discharge of his commission. After a succession of disappointments and discouragements, and when he had concluded to give up his enterprise as a failure, a fortunate turn of events enabled him to compass success.

- 1838 Store on Front Street, New Bedford

- 1840 Take on partner Horatio Leonard, a cousin, establish oil manufacturing factory in Brooklyn

- 1843 Oil firm fails, continue whale oil, candle sales New Bedford

- 1853 Relocate South 2nd street New Bedford

- 1868 Died October 24, 1868

Charles Henry LEONARD and Elizabeth E. GIBBS²⁵⁵⁵ were married on 13 October 1845 in New Bedford, Bristol Co., MA. Elizabeth E. GIBBS, daughter of Robert GIBBS and Ann , was born in 1823 in New Bedford, Bristol Co., MA. She was adopted.