Ledlie, Joseph
Born: 1812-01-18 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: 1893-XX-XX Springfield, Illinois
Flourished: Springfield, Illinois
Joseph Ledlie was a farmer, city engineer, and surveyor. Born to parents of Irish descent, Joseph moved with his family from his native Philadelphia to Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1815. His early life was spent on the family farm. In May 1837, Joseph and his brother Arthur travelled to Illinois, but in the fall, they returned to Gallipolis, where Joseph assisted Arthur and his sister in operating an academy. In the spring of 1838, Joseph and his siblings moved to Macoupin County, Illinois, where Joseph farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter. In 1846, he moved to Springfield, Illinois, and soon thereafter, John B. Watson, the Sangamon County surveyor, appointed Joseph deputy county surveyor. Watson emigrated to California, leaving the surveyor's office in Joseph's hands, and in November 1849, he won election as county surveyor. In May 1852, Joseph received appointment as Springfield city engineer and surveyor, and the City Council reappointed him surveyor in May 1854. In August 1854, Joseph resigned as county and city surveyor, and in 1855, he received appointment as federal deputy surveyor for Kansas and Nebraska. He remained in that post until 1857, when he returned to Springfield, and in November, again won election as county surveyor. In 1860, he was living with his brother Arthur and sister Mary and owned real property valued at $50,000 and had a personal estate of $2,000. Joseph Ledlie showed a keen interest in politics, and he was an active member of the Democratic Party.
History of Sangamon County, Illinois (Chicago: Inter-State, 1881), 688-89; Illinois Journal (Springfield), 14 November 1849, 3:3; Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 18 May 1852, 3:1; 10 May 1854, 3:2; 12 August 1854, 2:6; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 7 November 1857, 2:1; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, 114; Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL.