From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 67-68
 
LEONARD L. SPROUT.  Although Dodge County, Wis., is well known for the energy, enterprise 
and push of its farmers, Leonard L. SPROUT stands in the van in this enterprise, and has shown 
much wisdom and good judgment in the conduct of agricultural affairs, and through his own 
endeavors has won an enviable reputation.  Many years of hard, earnest endeavor in pursing the 
occupation to which he now gives his attention, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose 
and liberality in all directions, have resulted in placing Mr. SPROUT among the truly honored and 
respected farmers of this section.  He was born in Genesee County, N.Y., June 29, 1820, a son 
of Levi SPROUT, a native of Massachusetts, who moved from that State to New York when a lad 
with his father, Nathaniel SPROUT, who took up a large tract of land in Genesee County, where 
he continued to farm for many years on an extensive scale.  He served one year as a soldier of 
the Revolution, when he was honorably discharged, and also took part in several of the early 
French and Indian wars.  He was of Scotch descent.  In Genesee County Levi SPROUT attained 
manhood, and was there united in marriage with Fannie LEONARD, a native of Massachusetts, 
and a daughter of John LEONARD, who died when Mrs. SPROUT was a child.  After his 
marriage Mr. SPROUT located a tract of land in his native county, which land he improved, and 
there he reared his family.  He became quite noted in local politics, and held various minor 
positions of honor and trust.  In 1847 he sought a home for himself and family in Wisconsin and 
opened up a small farm in Oak Grove Township, Dodge County, where the last years of his life 
were spent.  His death occurred about 1858, and his wife survived him fourteen years, and they 
are now sleeping their long sleep in Juneau Cemetery.  Leonard L. SPROUT is the eldest of the 
following children: Leonard L.; Cummings, who is farming in Iowa; Lucy S. is the widow of George 
J. RICE, who came from the State of New York and died in Dodge County, Wis., in February 
1884; Alman died at the age of twenty-one years, and N. B., who makes his home with his 
brother, Leonard L.
 
The latter was reared in Genesee County, and was given a fair education.  In 1845 he came to 
Wisconsin and his first purchase of land amounted to forty acres, which constitutes a portion of 
the farm on which he is now residing.  He first made his home in a small log house that had been 
erected on his place, but for some time thereafter worked out for Judge BARBER, and received 
$10 per month for his services.  He continued thus to labor for two years, and the money thus 
obtained he put in more land until he had a nice tract of 120 acres.  After his marriage, which 
occurred in the spring of 1848, he located on this land and set vigorously to work to improve it.  
His wife was Lucy NYE, a native of Pennington, N.Y., but who was reared and educated in Ohio 
and became a very successful teacher.  As his means has permitted, Mr. SPROUT has from time 
to time purchased more land, until he now has a very fine farm of 273 acres.  In 1870 he engaged 
in the dairy business, and has since done a large business in this line.  He has about forty-five 
good cows, and makes butter which he ships to Chicago.  He was one of the organizers and 
incorporators of the cheese factory at Juneau, and was president of the company for a number of 
years.  On numerous other occasions he has shown himself to be decidedly public-spirited and 
has always given his aid to enterprises tending to benefit his section.  The principles of the 
Republican party have always seemed good in his sight and its men and measures have always 
found in him a hearty supporter.  He cast his first ballot for William Henry Harrison and has voted 
for every Republican nominee since that time.  He has always taken quite an active interest in 
local politics and has held a number of local official positions, and served in the capacity of county 
supervisor for three years.  The pubic schools have always found him a liberal patron, and he 
served for years as a member of the School Board in his district.  In 1873 he was left a widower, 
and he afterward married Mrs. Mary G. LEWIS, a widow with two children.  Mr. SPROUT has one 
daughter by this marriage, Lennie.  His step-daughters are Josephine, who is in Fond du Lac, 
Wis., and Grace G., who is now attending college at Ripon, Wis.  On January 6, 1892, Mr. 
SPROUT was again left a widower, and since that time his sister, Mrs. RICE, has been his 
companion and housekeeper.  Mr. SPROUT has been a resident of Wisconsin and Dodge 
County for forty-nine years and has seen almost the entire growth and development of this 
section, and has done his full share in making Dodge County one of the foremost in Wisconsin's 
interesting many counties.  When he located here there was not a building where the present 
thriving town of Juneau now is, and almost the entire county was covered with a rich growth of 
primeval forest.  Mr. SPROUT is well and very favorably known throughout Dodge and adjoining 
counties, and being a man of strict integrity, upright character and worth, this is not at all to be 
wondered at.  His home is comfortable and handsome and is gracefully presided over by Mrs. 
RICE, who is an exceptionally intelligent woman and an ex-teacher.  They are hospitable and 
social and have many warm friends.
 
Submitted by Carol