A Letter from Lucille Leach…..

Hello Everyone,

Among the items Dale Leach has generously provided for the Leach Family pages of this blog is a letter written to him by Lucille Leach in 1979. Lucille was the daughter of Harry Gifford Leach and granddaughter of Moses S. Leach and provides a list of his descendants. Here then, is the text:

*********************************

283 Michigan Ave.

Elyria, Ohio 44035

July 15, 1979

Dear Cousin Dale,

Excuse the informality, but I believe we are really cousins! I was glad to receive your letter and learn that at last someone is working on the Leach genealogy. Also, I learned several other things from your letter.

I had always thought that my grandfather was born in Michigan. I can remember his talking about boyhood days there. I think I understand the situation better now. After his mother died, the family must have moved to Michigan when his father re-married. This would account for the item in the 1860 Michigan census stating that he lived with Moses Maynard. That would be his maternal grandfather. His mother was Mary Maynard. I also remember his talking of half-brothers. My grandfather often entertained us children with tales of bears seen in the Michigan wilds.

I wish I could tell you more about Solomon Leach, but I can give you the following information taken from a book on the descendants of Michael Dayton. My grandmother Leach was a Dayton.

Lucy Minerva Dayton, b. 1857, d. 1921, m. 2-26-1880 Moses Leach (son of Mary Maynard and Solomon Leach)

Moses Leach died in 1932. Both grandparents are buried in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

(1) Their son: Harry Gifford Leach, b. 10-26-1881, d. 10-30-1912, m. Lucy M. Combs , b. 11-23-1878, d. 10-26-1959. Both are buried in Akron, Ohio (my parents)

Their children:

Lucille Leach, b. 3-27-1908

Gifford Harry Leach, b. 3-15-1910, married Marie Mollohan.

Jeanette Fay Leach, b. 3-4-1913, m. Karl Mayer

(2) Their son: Roy Leach, b. 8-9-1886, d. 1916. m. Leila Ely.

(3) Their daughter: Cordelia (or Abbie) Leach, b. 3-27-1884, m. Wm. Holbrook.

Their children: Lewis, Bertha, Ruth.

It was B. J. Shanower of Burton who told you about me, a granddaughter of Moses Leach. Mr. Shanower is Emeritus Director of the Geauga County Museum in Burton. I am a retired high school teacher in Elyria, which is 25 miles west of Cleveland. My brother is also retired and lives in Akron. My sister is married to a veterinarian and lives in Buffalo, New York.

I hope you can use some of this material, and I shall be glad to help you in any way I can.

I shall look forward to hearing more about your work in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Lucille Leach

SOURCE: Letter from Lucille Leach to Dale Leach. Dale Leach collection, used with permission.

——————————————

Notes: Gifford Harry Leach and Jeanette Fay Leach each had children. Because of privacy concerns these individuals are not listed here as they are probably living.

According to the Social Security Death Index Lucille Leach died in July of 1993, Gifford H. Leach died December 5, 1992.

SOURCE: Social Security Death Index, Rootsweb, funded and supported by Ancestry.com and the RootsWeb community. Accessed 2/23/2008

Leach Family Photograph

Hello Again,

This picture was taken in 1933 on the occasion of Lloyd Carr’s birthday and was generously provided here by Dale H. Leach from his collection. I’ve put this in as a thumbnail, so just click on the picture for a larger rendering.

History of the Leach Family as Known in 1936

Good Evening,

What follows is a history of the Leach Family written by Mary A. Leach for a Leach Family reunion in 1936. It’s written in Mary’s own words and tells the story of Solomon Leach and his descendants. This document was transcribed by Dale H. Leach from the original in a school composition book and was generously provided to this blog by Dale.

Here’s the text, with only a few edits for purposes of clarification:

Solomon Leach was born in the State of New York March 17th, 1814 and passed away January 19th, 1892. In early life he was married to Hariet Fowler of the State of Ohio and in a few years was left a widower with six children; five sons Enard, Philetus, Sylvester, Frank, and Edgar, and one daughter, Hariet. Later he married a second wife, Mary Maynard who after a few years was also taken away by death leaving their two sons, Moses and Charles. The five sons of the first marriage all served in the Civil War. Philetus made his home in Iowa and Edgar in Misouri. Frank in Ohio. Enard and Sylvester came to Michigan and settled on farms in the township of Arbela. Of the children of the second marriage Charles died in early manhood at the home of his father in Arbela. Moses spent his early life in Michigan then moved to Akron Ohio, his wife was Lucy Dayton of that place. She preceded him in death and left two sons and one daughter. He lived to a good old age and passed away in 1934.

Mr. Leach married a third wife Mrs. Susan Hoard, a widow with two sons and in 1857 the family came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Arbela. (1) Five children were added to the family; two sons, Allison and Grant and three daughters; Susan, Mary, and Veiva.

Most of the members of the family now are children and grandchildren and little is known of the family of the sons that lived in the southern states. Enard and Sylvester and Hariet have passed to the great beyond.

Enard was married while they lived in Ohio, to Barbara Bunn and afterwards they moved to Michigan. They had two sons, Charles and Edgar and one daughter, Mary. After a few years in their new home the father (was) left with three small children to care for. In the course of time he married Artie Guthrie of Arbela who became the mother of two daughters, Orrie and Josephine and one son, Manuel. Sylvester married Mary Bunn of Ohio who passed away in 1909 leaving a family of two sons; Walter of Clio and William of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and two daughters; Mrs. Myrtle Starr of Arbela and Mrs. Louise Cole of Flint. His death was in May of 1928. He was preceded in death by both of his daughters, also by his second wife, Mrs. Kate Lurvey and his third wife whose maiden name was Delila Bowns. The oldest daughter Harriet Nelson at her death left one daughter, now Mrs. Edward Gunnel of Millington and Mother (Florence) of Edmond Miller of Arbela Township. (2)

Of the last family of children the oldest son Allison was born September 12, 1857. He lived all his life in the old home on the farm where we are meeting today. In 1890 he was married to Ida Hossler of Millington township whom he left at his death in 1928 with their one daughter Mrs. Althea Beldon of Vassar township. Susan, the next oldest was born in 1859. She is the wife of Moses Sherman of Drummond, Montana and the Mother of William and Bird Sherman (3) of Oregon and Martha Shafer of Muskegan Hights. The next daughter, Mary, was born in 1862. She was married to Jackson Thompson of Arbela who died while yet a young man, leaving her with one son, Philo, now of Saginaw. Later she married Alpheus Carr and they lived on a farm in Arbela till his death in 1910. He left two sons, Lloyd, now a farmer near Birch Run and Harry of Saginaw. She was married a third time to John Bowns and after several years was left a widow again. She is now the wife of Sylvester Goodwin and hostess at the family reunion today. Veiva the youngest daugher was married to Elmer Coles over fifty years ago and they lived happily together till the time of his death in March of this year, 1936, survived by his wife and two sons, Sidney and Harrison and six grandchildren and many friends. Grant, the youngest of the family married Ida Foote of near Flint. Two daughters Mabel and Florence came to their home which is in Brawley California where they have lived for over 25 years.

Footnotes:

(1) Solomon Leach and Susan Hoard were married in Michigan, December 21, 1856 per the Tuscola County marriage index.

(2) I believe this means the daughter of Harriet Nelson is Florence (Nelson) Gunnel. I’m unclear about the meaning of this reference to Edmond Miller.

(3) Murray Bird Sherman.

So there you have it! Many thanks to Dale Leach for sharing this wonderful document.

Sue

Charles Leach

Hello,

Charles Leach, son of Solomon Leach and Mary Maynard died of tuberculosis February 4, 1875 at the age of 23 years and 6 months. Here’s a very nice picture of Charles…. handsome young man and so sad that he had such a short life.

Leach Family Photographs

Good Evening,

Here are pictures of some of the sons and daughters of Solomon Leach, I hope you enjoy them. Just click on the thumbnail to view a larger picture.

Veiva (Vera) Leach 1865 -
(Dale Leach collection)

*************

Sylvester Leach 1841 – 1928
(Dale Leach collection)

************

Edgar F. Leach 1842 – 1922
(Dale Leach collection)

************

Mary Leach 1862 – 1937
(Dale Leach collection)

*************

Enard Leach 1837 – 1920
(Dale Leach collection)

*************

Susan Viola Leach 1859 – 1962

****************

Grant Leach 1866 – 1942

*****************

Leach Family Military Records

Five sons of Solomon Leach served in the Civil War: Philetus, Francisco, Enard, Sylvester, and Edgar. All lived through the battle to return to their families and take up their lives again, but with physical disabilities that in some cases rendered them unable to lead normal lives. Sylvester Leach applied for a pension based on his bouts of “pleurisy” and “rheumatism” that weakened him to the point he wasn’t always able to work. Enard Leach reported having a horse roll on him during the battle of 2nd Bull Run, and was left with back and leg problems described as “lameness.” Philetus, Edgar and Francisco Leach also applied for “Invalid Pensions.” A list of their service units and pension application dates follows:

Philetus E. Leach served as a Private in the 2nd Regiment, Company A, Iowa Cavalry. He applied for an Invalid Pension on September25, 1885; died February 21, 1915 at Forest City, Missouri.

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image/2089197 accessed 2/1/2008). Entry for Philetus E. Leach, application# 550-487, widow Louisa Leach, application# 1042.754 dated March 4, 1915 and minor Louisa L. Wall, application# 1079.262 dated 12/1/1916.

Francisco Leach served first in Company F, 5th Infantry Regiment, Ohio, and later in Company B, 6th U.S. Cavalry. His Invalid Pension application is dated May 25, 1885. He died September 18, 1893.

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image/5962647 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Francisco Leach, application#540.698, minor Hiram J. Russell (Gdn) application# 592.553 dated March 17, 1894.

Enard Leach served in Company I, 6th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry and applied for an Invalid Pension on September 5, 1882. Enard died February 20, 1920 at Clio, Michigan.

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 6022249 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Enard Leach, application# 459.053, widow application# 1153626 dated March 4, 1920.

Sylvester Leach was a Private in Company D of the 23rd Ohio Infantry. His Invalid Pension application is dated May 27, 1889; he died May 25, 1928 in Millington, Michigan.

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 5836493 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Sylvester Leach, application# 706759.

Edgar Fenton Leach served in Company D, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Invalid Pension Application was filed June 23, 1880 and he died May 25, 1922 at Forest City, Missouri.

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 5836487 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Edgar Leach, appleaction# 399.382, widow application# 1192.148 dated 7/27/1922.

These records show only the barest of minimum about the lives of these five men… but there’s more, and I’ll start adding it in the next few days.

Sue Edminster

Leach Family Census Records

These U.S. Census records were used in the compilation of information about Solomon Leach and his descendants. In most cases the Series and page numbers are listed, however there are a few that list enumeration districts instead. If any of the information isn’t clear, please contact me at: susaned@me.com for clarification.

1850 Ohio, Geauga County, Middlefield Township. Series M432, Roll 682, page 48. Lines 22, record for Solomon Leach (enumerated with Isaac Chatfield), line 25, Filetus(sic) Leach (enumerated with N.S. Chatfield), and line 35, Enard Leach (enumerated with N. F. Muttsy).

1850 Ohio, Geauga County, Parkman Township. Series M432, Roll 682, Page 80, line 7. Record for Edgar Leach (enumerated with R.S. Jolly).

1850 Ohio, Geauga County, Parkman Township. Series M432, Roll 682, Page 89, line 29. Record for Silvester(sic) Leach (enumerated with James McLouth).

1860 Ohio, Geauga County, Burton. Series M653, Roll 967, page 820, lines 20, record for Francis(sic) Leach and line 21, Harriet Leach (enumerated with Anson Fowler)

1860 Ohio, Geauga County, Burton. Series M653, Roll 967, page (), line 23. Record for Sylvester Leach (enumerated with David L. Pape)

1860 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, P.O. Watrousville. Series M653, Roll 562, page 674, line 15. Record for Solomon Leach.

1860 Iowa, Washington County, Clay Township. Series M653, Roll 344, Page 149, record for Philetes(sic) Leach.

1870 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, P.O. Vassar. Series M593, Roll 705, page 24, record for Enard Leach, line 40, Solomon Leach

1870 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, P.O. Vassar. Series M593, Roll 705, page 25, line 12, record for Charles Leach.

1870 Ohio, Trumbull County, Mecca, Series M593, Roll 1272, Page 313, record for Sylvester Leach.

1870 Missouri, Holt County, Nodaway Township, Page 47, record for Edgar Leach.

1870 Iowa, Washington County, Page 18, record for Philetus Leach.

1870 Michigan, Tuscola County, Abrel, Series M593, Roll 705, Page 25, record for John Nelson, Hattie (Leach) Nelson, Charles Leach, Susan Leach, and others.

1880 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T9, Roll 607, page 37, line 48, record for Solomon Leach.

1880, Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T9. Roll 607, page 43, line 48 for Moses S. Leach.

1880 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T9, Roll 607, page 45, line 13, record for Enard Leach.

1880 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T9, Roll 607, page 37, line 30, record for Sylvester Leach.

1880 Ohio, Geauga County, Burton Township, Series T9, Roll 1018, Page 18, record for Francisco Leach.

1900 Missouri, Holt County, Forbes Township, Series T623, Roll 859, Page 167, record for Edgar Leach.

1900 Missouri, Holt County, Forbes Township, Series T623, Roll 859, Page 168, record for Edgar Leach.

1900 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T623, Roll 744, Page 41, record for Mary A. (Leach) Carr.

1900 Michigan, Tsucola County, Arbela. Series T623, Roll 744, page 47, line 21, record for Enard Leach.

1900 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T623, Roll 744, page 46, record for Alison Leach.

1900 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T623, Roll 744, Page 40, record for Elmer Coles and family.

1900 Michigan, Charlevoix County, Marian Township, Enumeration District 18, Page 6165B, record for Moses Sherman, Susan (Leach) Sherman.

1900 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Enumeration District 105, Page 5B, record for Sylvester Leach.

1910 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela. Series T623, Roll 676, page 45, record for Enard Leach.

1910 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T624, Roll 676, Page 51, record for Mary (Leach) Carr.

1910 Missouri, Holt County, Forbes Township, Enumeration District 188, Sheet 9B, record for Edgar Leach.

1910 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T624, Roll 676, Page 44, record for Sylvester Leach.

1910 Missouri, Holt County, Forbes Township, Series T624, Roll 784, Page 64, record for Philetus Leach.

1910 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T624, Roll 676, Paage 44, record for Elmer Coles and Family

1910 Ohio, Summit County, Akron, Series T624, Roll 1233, Page 205, record for Moses S. Leach.

1910 California, Imperial County, Brawley, Series T624, Roll 77, Page 134, record for Grant S. Leach.

1920 California, Imperial County, Brawley, Series T625, Roll 99, Page 189, record for Ida Leach (living with daughter)

1920 Michigan Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T625, Roll 798, Page 43, record for Mary (Leach) Bowns.

1920 Michigan Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T625, Roll 798, Page 43, record for Harrison Coles and family.

1920 Ohio, Summit County, Akron, Series T625, Roll 1439, Page 155, record for Moses S. Leach.

1920 Michigan, Genesee County, Clio, Series T625, Roll 766, Page 164, record for Elmer Coles and family

1920 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T625, Roll 798, Page 41, record for Sylvester Leach.

1920 Missouri, Holt County, Forrest City, Series T625, Roll 918, Page 100, record for Edgar F. Leach.

1930 Montana, Granite County, Drummond, Enumeration Districe 20-10Page 187, Sheet 1A, record for Moses Sherman, Susan (Leach) Sherman.

1930 California, Imperial County, Brawley, Enumeration District 18-2, Page 167, Sheet 3A, record for Grant Leach.

1930 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T626, Roll 1027, Page 128, record for Harrison Coles.

1930 Michigan, Genesee County, Clio, Series T626, Roll 984, Page 116, record for Elmer Coles.

1930 Ohio, Summit County, Akron, Enumeration District 77-1, unknown page, record for Lucy Best (daughter of Moses Leach).

1930 Michigan, Tuscola County, Arbela, Series T626, Roll 1027, Page 128, record for Sidney Coles and family.

1930 Michigan, Genesee County, Clio, unknown series and page, record for Sylvester Goodwin and Mary A. (Leach) Goodwin.

Notice that some of the 1850 and 1860 entries show the Leach children enumerated with various people. These children were the product of Solomon Leach’s marriage to Harriet Fowler and may have been living with family members or friends during Solomon’s marriage to Mary Maynard.

Marriage of Solomon Leach and Susan (Higley) Hoard

December, 21, 1856

Solomon Leach, age 42, a Farmer and Susan Hoard, age 32

Married by T.H. Newberry

Witnesses: O.A. Kent and Orilla Newberry

SOURCE: Michigan, Tuscola County Records Index.

Marriage of Solomon Leach and Mary Maynard

Solomon Leach and Mary Maynard were married March 28, 1847… here’s a copy of the marriage record.

(click on thumbnail)

SOURCE: Ohio, Geauga County Records, Chardon, Ohio. Dale Leach collection

Gravestone of Solomon Leach

SOURCE: Gravestone picture, Pine Grove Cemetery, Arbela, Tuscola County, Michigan