John Leng 1821-1906

LENG, BROWN, LONGDON, SEDGWICK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/30/2002 at 08:05:24

John Leng.

Mr. John Leng was born in London, England, August 4, 1821, and died in Bonaparte, Iowa, March 16, 1906, aged 84 years, 7 months, and 10 days. He was born of English stock by his father and Dutch by his mother, and was baptized in infancy as per custom of the Established Church of England with Godfather, and Mother to stand for him. He was educated in the school of the Established Church.

His father was a shipwright and died when John was but five years of age. A paper bearing the date of Derby, England, May 21, 1870, certifies to his having labored in a brass foundry for six years, and hat he was steady, honest and industrious.

He was married at twenty-one years to a young lady of eighteen years of age. Information as to the name and exact date of this first marriage are not obtainable at this time but it was probably sometime in 1842.

The first wife having died he was married to Mrs. Charlotte Brown, a sister of John Longdon of Derbyshire, Nov. 11, 1866. He with this second wife is supposed to have come to this country about 37 years ago. She departed this life in 1871.

After living a widower’s life for seven years he married Miss Mary C. Sedgwick, October 18, 1878, and to this marriage were born three daughters: Mary Louise, Mattie Sedgwick, and Lottie Lella. These with a stepson, Isaac Brown of Derby; a brother-in-law, John Longdon, of Duffield near Derby; and the wife, Mrs. Mary Leng, are the only living relatives.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the M.E. church, Rev. When officiating, with interment in the Bonaparte cemetery.

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA