Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Leach, Henry ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 2:57 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 HENRY LEACH. No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the secrets and causation of success it will be found that earnest, persistent industry is the real basis of all advancement in the business world and the life record of Henry Leach, a lumber merchant of Joliet, is another exemplification of this fact. Born in Kendall county, Illinois, on the 13th of August, 1845, he is a son of Henry Leach, who was a native of England and who followed agricultural pursuits in Kendall county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1850. His widow, Mrs. Sarah Leach, survived until 1878. Henry Leach was only six years of age at the time of his father's demise. He acquired his early education in the public schools and afterward attended Fowler Institute in Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, until 1866, thus acquiring a good education, which well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. Putting aside his text-books, he remained upon the home farm until his marriage on the 19th of January, 1869, when he settled upon a farm near Chatsworth in Livingston county, Illinois, where he resided until 1875. In that year he removed to Gardner, Grundy county, this state, where he purchased land, continuing its cultivation for fourteen years and still retaining ownership of that property. In 1887 he established a lumberyard in Gardner, where he remained for three years and in 1890 removed to Joliet, where he continued in the same line of business, being today one of the leading lumber merchants of the city with a large and gratifying patronage. The lady whom Mr. Leach wedded in 1869 bore the maiden name of Miss Iona C. Howland, who met her husband while they were students in Fowler Institute. They traveled life's journey happily together for a quarter of a century and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Leach on the 23d of January, 1894. On the 25th of June, 1896, Mr. Leach was again married, his second union being with Delia Baldwin of Joliet. His children are Henry C. Leach, born November 27, 1869; Howard E., April 20, 1871; Roy B., October 30, 1876; Arthur C., February 4, 1879; and Elmer S., July 28, 1884. Mr. Leach is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Matteson lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M.; Joliet chapter, No. 27, R. A. M.; and Joliet commandery, No. 4, K. T. He is likewise a member of the Commercial club. In community affairs he has been prominent and influential and his co-operation may always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He held the office of supervisor in Grundy county and also in Will county and has been a member of the high school board since its organization. He is now president of the Silver Cross hospital, in which connection he is ably administering the affairs of an institution which is of the utmost value to the citizens of Joliet and surrounding districts. A gentleman of broad humanitarian principles and kindly spirit, of keen insight and unfaltering energy in business, in all life's relations he displays firm purpose, unfalteringly supporting his honest convictions and winning the respect of his fellowmen by his well known fidelity. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/leach2412nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb