LELAND, JACKSON MILLER (1818-20 Feb. 1896), music teacher and brass-band leader, was born in Holliston, Mass. to John and Sylvia Leland. With a proficiency in violin, bugle, and clarinet playing, he arrived in Cleveland in 1843 and shortly thereafter organized Leland's Band which played on lakeboats sailing between Buffalo and Chicago. Leland also toured the South with a theatrical group in 1846.
When the CIVIL WAR broke out, Leland and many band members enlisted in the 41ST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. The band of the 41st Ohio was mustered out on 6 June 1862 after the War Dept. phased out regimental bands. Leland's Band returned to Cleveland, where it played at local Army camps, and daily at the NORTHERN OHIO SANITARY FAIR on PUBLIC SQUARE between 22 Feb.-10 Mar. 1864. The band was without a leader when Leland again enlisted, as a private in Co. D, 150th OVI, on 2 May 1864. He was promoted to principal musician and mustered out with the 150th in Cleveland on 23 Aug. 1864. In Apr. 1865, the band participated in Pres. Abraham Lincoln's funeral procession in Cleveland. As troops returned from Civil War service, Leland's Band greeted them at UNION DEPOT and marched to Public Square for official welcoming ceremonies. The band serenaded Gen. Wm. T. Sherman on 29 July 1866 at the Kennard House. Leland's Band continued to participate in most major parades, events, and funerals until Leland's death.
Leland was married twice. He and his first wife, Elizabeth Pinkney (d. 1855), had 3 children: Andrew, Joseph, and Fred. Leland's second wife was Mary J. Brainard. Together they had 3 children: Clara, Delia, and Hattie. Leland, who died in Cleveland, was survived by his second wife and 4 of his children. Leland was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.
Kimberly, Robert, and Hollowary, Ephraim S. The Forty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 (1897).
Members of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Personal Reminiscences and Experiences (1900).