WILLIAM F. LEEDER was born in Brunswick, Germany, May 25, 1839, where he lived until six years of age, when he came with his parents to the United States. They landed at New Orleans and then took a steamer to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained some four yeas. His father died here in 1849. From St. Louis he moved with his mother to Waterloo, Illinois, and some eighteen months after the family moved to Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois; lived here some three years, then moved to Central City, Illinois. Mr. Leeder worked here in a brick yard and on a farm some five years, and during this time learned the barber's trade and in the spring of 1860 went to Memphis, Tennessee, and followed his trade three months; then went to Jackson, Tennessee, where he ran on the old Mississippi Central Railroad one month, then worked at the trade until June, 1861. He then returned to central City, Illinois, and followed his trade until May, 1862, when he came to Springfield, Illinois, and has followed the barber's trade in this city until 1879. During this time was at Lincoln, Illinois, one month. In 1879, he bought H. Speckman's saloon, at 222 South Sixth street, where W. F. Leeder & Co, have had the finest beer hall and pool room in Central Illinois. He was married to Miss Flora Rippstein January 20, 1863. She was born in Switzerland, and a daughter of Jacob and Catharine Rippstein. They reside in Springfield, and are both members of the Catholic Church. Mr. And Mrs. Leeder had nine children, seven living, viz: William E., Flora M., Henry E., Louisa M., Adeline, Frank E. and Alice A. The father of William Leeder, Henry Leeder, born in Brunswick, Germany, was a stone mason by trade, and died in 1849. His wife, Caroline Leeder, was born in Brunswick, Germany. She and husband were both members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Leeder is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Douglas for President of the United States. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 6, in Springfield, Illinois; is also a member of Druid's Lodge No. 37; was a member of Butler's band ten years, and the German band seven years.