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life was spent with the exception of the last year, during which time he 

 resided in Chicago. While in Geneva he continued in the practice of 

 Medicine, and he was known far and near for his skill in diagnosis of 

 disease and surgical operations. 



In 1850 he made his advent into the scientific world by means of 

 an article published in the old Prairie Farmer, upon the "Chinch Bug" 

 which was at that time making serious ravages in the wheat crop, then the 

 most important product of the State. In this article — which was re-pub- 

 lished in Fitch's 2d N. Y. Ent. Report — he gave the first scientific ac- 

 count of the life history ol this important pest describing it as new under 

 the name of Rhyparochromui devastator. Of this paper Dr. Fitch says: 

 "Little requires to be added to this account". The same is true of the 

 many scientific papers written by Dr. LeBaron, as he never published 

 until the entire subject was thoroughly understood by him. His ex- 

 haustive researches into the habits of the chinch-bug, and practical sug- 

 gestions (in this and subsequent papers) as to their extermination, attract- 

 ed the attention of the leading entomologists of Europe and America, 

 with whom he ever after maintained a close correspondence. 



In 1 86 1 he was elected corresponding member of the Entomological 

 Society 0/ Philadelphia and soon after member of the Mass. Hort. Soc. 



In 1865 he became Entomological Editor of the Prairie Farmer, 

 to which paper he had contributed at intervals, for years, severing this 

 connection only when his declining health compelled him to do so. 



A collection of Dr. LeBaron s contributions to that paper, of his 

 answers to correspondents, and other papers read before various Agricul- 

 tural and Horticultural Societies would make a valuable addition to 

 entomological literature. We have received a hint from his family that 

 the publication of a volume containing his essays etc., both published 

 and unpublished has been seriously contemplated, a fact that will be re- 

 ceived with pleasure by all. 



The doctor was thoroughly practical in all he wrote, and his state- 

 ments of facts could be relied upon implicitly, as he tested his discoveries 

 again and again before he gave them to the world. 



In 1870 two candidates appeared for the office of Illinois State Ento 

 mologist made vacant by the untimely death of the lamented Walsh — 

 Dr. Henry Shimer of Mt. Carroll and Mr. Emery of the Prairie Farmer, 

 both of whom were well qualified for the position. For reasons that can- 

 not be given at this time, Gov. Palmer refused to appoint either, but 

 named Dr. LeBaron for the place, taking him entirely by surprise. 



From this time he devoted his whole attention to this work that lay 

 nearest to his heart, until his health gave way under the severity of the 

 strain. One of the first moves made by him was the purchase of the 



