Leopold was founded by Rev. Augustus Bessonies. It was laid out on Section 1, Township 5 south, Range 2 west, in November, 1842, a total of twenty-five squares of four lots each being platted. The first merchants were Mr. DeMonit, Joseph James, Mr. Dickinson, Joseph Meunier, Mr. Cady, John P. Patrick, Henry DeVillies, John Doby, F. Allard, Thomas F. Cady and others. Cady & Meunier are the present merchants. Ward Bros, are wagon-makers. Father Bessonies was the first postmaster. The first doctor was Drumb. Currey, Christian, Calla came into practice later. Huffman and Hawkins are the present doctors. Mrs. Ward is postmistress. The first schoolhouse was erected about 1848. The village-has a present population of about 100. Saloons have flourished here. Thomas Hurst, now of Cannelton, did well in that business here. What made Leopold especially famous was the large number of French and Belgium who located there, making almost a foreign community of the town and vicinity. John (Jean) Baptiste Lamquin / Lamkin Immigrated to the USA May 07, 1850 from Herbeumont, Luxembourg, Belgium and made the following purchases; 1858 – 2 lots in Leopold #21&#40 from Mr Bessonies from Indianapolis
1858 – 4 acres [sec. 1 twp 2 range 2] from Joseph James
1859 – 2 lots In Leopold #22&#39 from Mat George
1864 – 40 acres [sec. 3, twp 5, range 2] 1867 – south E. qt and south W. qt of [sec. 34,twp 4 Range 2] 1876 – sec 29-32 /twp 4m range 2—204 acres from Adam Lawrence