Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Leach, John H 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 6:50 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Leach, John H. – It perhaps might be kind if instead of waiting until a 
veteran of the Civil War has answered to the eternal roll call, popular 
opinion regarding the value of his services were expressed during his 
lifetime.  Such appreciation is due the heroes of the greatest conflict 
history had then known, and ought to be accorded every man who belonged to 
the “Boys in Blue”.  One of the honored veterans of Grundy County is John H. 
Leach, now living retired at Morris.  He was born in Marshall County, W. Va., 
December 12, 1838, a son of Greenbury and Mary (Spaun) Leach, natives of West 
Virginia.  The father was a farmer and early settler in West Virginia, where 
he died in 1841.  His widow married (second) Robert Murry, also a farmer, and 
died in West Virginia in 1869.

After his father’s death John H. Leach was taken by a cousin, John Harvey, of 
West Virginia, and lived with him until 1850, when he came to Morris.  He 
learned the carpenter trade and followed it for thirty-six years.  On June 16, 
1861, Mr. Leach enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
known as the Joliet Company, and served in many important engagements, 
including General Sherman’s famous march to the sea.  On July 25, 1865, he 
received his honorable discharge, having been a brave and gallant soldier.  On 
November 5, 1877, Mr. Leach was married to Caroline (Goodman) Bassett, born in 
Pennsylvania, daughter of William G. and Mary J. (Crandall) Goodman, natives 
of Canada and Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and widow of Peter Bassett.  By her 
first marriage, Mrs. Leach had four children:  William, of Joliet; and Thomas, 
Maud and Clara, all deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Leach have had the following 
children:  George L., of Morris; Benjamin H., of Joliet; Ada, Mrs. A. C. 
Frick, of Morris, who has one child, Claudia; and Addie, who died in infancy.  
In religious faith Mr. Leach is a Methodist, and politically, is a 
Republican.  He belongs to the Carpenters Union, and the G. A. R. Post of 
Morris.  Upright, honorable, loyal, true as steel to his friends, Mr. Leach is 
highly respected by a wide circle.

page 851

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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