Lucas County IA Archives Biographies.....Leech, William F. 1861 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896)

WILLIAM F. LEECH, an agriculturist in flourishing circumstances on section 23,
Union township, Lucas county (post-office Humeston), is one of the intelligent
and well known citizens of that section of the county.

   He was born on the old Leech homestead in the northern part of the township,
December 15, 1861, a son of Andrew D. Leech, one of the honored old settlers of
that county. A native of Virginia, he came to Iowa in 1856. The maiden name of
his wife was Isabella Lackey, and she also was a native of the Old Dominion. Of
their seven children five are still living, namely: Mary E., the wife of
Benjamin Ward, of Rice county, Kansas; Rebecca Frances, who married Henry Joy
and now resides in Union township; William F., the subject of this biographical
sketch; Cora Belle, who became the wife of H. W. Sutton and lives in Derby; and
Dora Virginia, now the wife of Florin Irvin, of Union township. The mother of
these children died in January, 1894, a most estimable Christian woman,
possessing excellent qualities as wife, mother, neighbor and member of society.
Her death was the occasion of great sorrow to her husband and children and
throughout the community. Mr. Leech, her husband, still resides on the old
homestead where he has spent so many years, and is highly esteemed as a good
neighbor and faithful citizen.

   The gentleman whose name is given at the head of this sketch was brought up
to farm life, at the old home referred to, where he contracted the habits of
industry and economy. He also improved his intellect by attendance at school,
and developed his moral nature by attention to the training received at the
hands of his parents and teachers. One element of his mental discipline is the
formation of the habit of close observation, and one great characteristic of his
disposition is to utilize what he learns.

   In 1887 he settled upon the farm he now occupies and which was formerly known
as the William Daily farm and afterward as the George Sutton place, three and
three-fourths miles from Humeston and five from Derby. It comprises 160 acres
and is a valuable place, the land being good and well improved, and withal is
situated in a good community of people. The dwelling is 24 x 26 feet in
dimensions and two stories high, with a one-story L 12 x 14 feet. The site is an
eligible one, and is gracefully ornamented with trees, shrubbery, etc. The barn
is 30 x 40 feet in ground area, with an L 17 x 40; and there are the appropriate
sheds and other outbuildings and conveniences necessary to a well equipped
farmstead. The meadow, pasture and the cultivated fields are all conveniently
divided and pleasant to the view.

   March 25, 1885, is the date of Mr. Leech's marriage to Maggie R. Sutton, a
lady of intelligence and of a good family. Her father, George H. Sutton, is a
prominent citizen of the same township. Her mother's maiden name was Nancy
Swank. Mr. and Mrs. Leech's children are five in number, namely: Mary Ethel,
Carl Andrew, Nancy Laura, George Ray, and Alta Grace.

   Mr. Leech is an intelligent man, broad-minded and progressive and active in
the interests of education and religion, is very agreeable in his personal
manners and is highly esteemed by the community. He is a Republican in his views
of national questions, and is a member of Chappaqua Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F.,
at Humeston, and both himself and wife are exemplary members of the Presbyterian
Church.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA

ILLUSTRATED

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."'—MACAULAY.

"Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant,
of all things."—CARLYLE

"History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE.

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1896


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