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Leitch, Robert

Robert came to Chicago in 1833.  He worked as a farm laborer and in the meat packing business for about eight years. As early as 1837 he moved to the future La Grange area and subsequently purchased a 440-acre tract of land from the U. S. government.  He built a frame house at the corner of Odgen Avenue and Peck.  In 1844 he married Mary A. Wilder.  Mary and Robert had eight children.  He attempted to develop his land as Kensington Heights, but was forced to abandon his efforts after suffering some financial reversals.  Franklin Cossitt later purchased Leitch's land and laid out the plan for La Grange.

Numerous sources were used in the compilation of these entries including but not limited to:

• Images of America -- La Grange and La Grange Park, Illinois by RoseAnna and Robert Mueller, Arcadia Publishing
• La Grange Centennial History 1879-1979, William J Cromie, Editor, La Grange Area Historical Society, 1979

 

Last Modified:  03/28/2003