Seventh Generation

785. Elisha (Charles?) Russel LEONARD was born on 19 May 1808 in Worthington, Hampshire Co., MA. Alternatively, he may have been born in Berkshire Co., MA, or eastern NY, conflicting information. He died on 22 October 1874 at the age of 66 in Grant, St. Clair Co., MI. Michigan death certificate lists his parents as Elisha Leonard and Elizabeth Brown. He was a shingle maker. He settled in MI about 1847 and went by his middle name, Russel. There was another Elisha Leonard in Cattaraugus Co., NY, with whom this Russel can be easily confused.

There is a possibility that he was the Charles Russel Leonard born abt. 1808 who lived in Union Springs, Cayuga Co., NY in 1830, married there, had a child, Charles Russel Leonard, Jr., and apparently abandoned wife and child abt. 1832 and disappeared while on a trip to MI to look for new farm land. See Charles Russel Leonard.

Elisha (Charles?) Russel LEONARD and Lydia Ann FORBES were married about 1834 in Canada. Record of marriage in MI, but no date. US and Itnernation Marriage Records list his marriage in Ontario, Canada. Their children are also listed as being born in Canada, although in the 1850 Census, they were all living on a farm in Burtchville, St. Clair Co., MI. Lydia Ann FORBES was born on 11 April 1811 in Chatauqua, NY. She died on 17 December 1890 at the age of 79 in Mayville, Tuscola Co., MI. Were Lydia's parents Benjamin Leonard and Eva Bourquet? A number of entries on ancestry.com have it that way.

Elisha (Charles?) Russel LEONARD and Lydia Ann FORBES had the following children:

1757	i.	Almina LEONARD was born on 28 August 1835. Censuses list her as being born in NY and Canada. She died on 5 August 1918 at the age of 82 in St. Clari Co., MI.
1758	ii.	Wellington LEONARD was born about 1841. Censuses list him as being born in NY and Canada.
1759	iii.	Alice LEONARD was born about 1844.
+1760	iv.	Abigail Elizabeth LEONARD.
1761	v.	George Washington LEONARD was born about 1848 in MI. He died on 26 June 1920 at the age of 72 in Grayling, Crawford Co., MI. Michigan death certificate gives name of father and mother, says that he was married.