The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Volk, Leonard Wells

VOLK, Leonard Wells, American sculptor: b. Wellstown, N. Y., 7 Nov. 1828; d. Osceola, Wis., 19 Aug. 1895. He was employed as a marble cutter in his father's shop and devoted his spare time to modeling, producting a bust of Henry Clay among his first pieces of work.

Later he studied art in Italy (1855-57) under the patronage of Stephen A. Douglas, and on his return established himself in Chicago, where he modeled a bust of Douglas. He produced many works, including the life size statues of Douglas and Lincoln (1876) in the Illinois State capitol.