Samuel Adolf Leschke (1828-1889) was a weaver by occupation and kept a diary of his life's experiences which became a special family heirloom. It was passed down to his great-granddaughter, Ursula Leschke, whose family held onto it during World War II and their subsequent migration from Germany to the United States.

Leschke was born in Sommerfeld, Krossen, Silesia, Prussia on April 15, 1828 to Johann S. Wilhelm Leschke and Johanne Beata S. Ziesche. On May 17, 1852, he married Henriette Christiane Blobel, who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Leschke never joined her faith. He and Henriette had 7 children. In 1845, while working as a weaver apprentice, he kept a journal of his work and family life. He wrote a great deal about the passing of two of his children, one of which, a son, died at age eighteen and the other, a daughter, after only ninety-eight days. His son suffered from lung problems. Leschke worked for various clothing factories. One time he lost his job and another time, he quit because he felt mistreated. Later in life, he started to play the lottery, but never won anything. He appears to have loved classic literature, as he often quoted great authors of his day in his diary. He wrote about some personal celestial experiences he had, as well. On June 16, 1889, he died in Sommerfeld.