Biography: Robert Templin Leeper, son of Robert Leeper, a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Caldwell county, KY., Dec 17, 1800, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who early emigrated to South Carolina from Scotland, subsequently moving to Kentucky, and aided in the capture and execution of the notorious "Big Harpe." the outlaw.

In 1818 he married Elizabeth Saxton, who became the mother of three daughters, and died in Hinds County, Mississippi, where they had gone into the wild forest on the stage road between Jackson and Vicksburg in 1826. After the mother died he sent his daughters back to Kentucky and was overseer of a large plantation for two years when he returned to Kentucky and married Elizabeth Shelby Harmon Jan 20, 1831. Immediately they returned to Mississippi and opened a large farm, built a huge log tavern on the stage road, and it was frequented by many leading statesmen traveling from Jackson to Vicksburg. Having increased his farm to 700 acres he sold it in 1835 for $14,000 and returned to Caldwell county, Kentucky, to educate his children. In 1887 his son R. Byrd Leeper, found the log tavern occupied and in good repair, though near the famous battlefield of Champios Hill. The purchaser of the farm was still hale and hearty.

Six years were spent in Caldwell county, where he bought a farm near Smithland, KY., then the commercial center of the Ohio Valley, and after two years opened an extensive mercantile enterprise in which all his wealth was lost and he 46 years of age. With an indebtedness of $3,000, ill health and a family, he came to Jackson precinct, Massac County, Illinois, entered land, three years after the organization of the county, in twelve years

had paid the $3,000 and owned a home on which he died Oct 31, 1881, age 80 yrs, 10 mo's and 11 days.

When he located in Massac County only a few scattering improvements consisting usually of a log cabin and a rail stable existed. A log house of rude structure used for a church and school house. Law and order were ruthlessly violated and Mr. Leeper was chosen justice of the peace, often filing complaint, issuing and serving warrants, trying the case and taking the criminal to jail.

Ever active in all public enterprises he was a most valuable member of society. In his earlier years he belonged to the "Old School Presbyterian" persuasion, but later lead in the organization, establishment and maintenance of the Cumberland Presbyterian class at Unionville. Politically he affiliated with the democrats.

More on his lineage is found here:

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