Ross Leech 1848-1931

LEECH, STRATTON, WHITACRE, ALBIN, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/4/2018 at 08:38:24

5 November 1931 - West Branch Times

Ross Leech, youngest son of Thomas and Ellen Stratton Leech, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 24, 1848, and passed from this life Wednesday evening, October 28, 1931, aged 83 years, two months and four days.

When he was a small lad the family moved to Iowa, and this vicinity has been his home during most of the years. Here he grew to manhood and attended school. On Thanksgiving day, November 25, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Whitacre. On this occasion three couples were married, the triple ceremony taking place in the old Whitacre neighborhood near the Scott church.

Soon after their marriage the young couple engaged in farming, the country home being for a number of years northwest of Downey. Later Mr. Leech and his family moved to West Branch where he engaged in the contracting and building business, finding satisfaction throughout his life in the use of the carpenter's tools. For a term of years, however, he forsook the saw and plane for the pen, and was editor and publisher of the West Branch Times, selling the business to the present owner.

Mr. Leech was from Quaker parentage, being a birthright member of the Wilbur Friends, but his later church associations were with the Methodist denomination. He was a member of Wapsinonoc Lodge A.F. & A.M., No. 381, being a Past Master and for many years served his lodge as secretary. He was first Worthy Patron of Juanita Chapter, No. 274, O.E.S.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leech. Of these, two daughters are left to mourn: Mrs. Rena Albin and Miss Mabel Leech, both of West Branch. The wife and mother died in July, 1929, and one son, Elmer, died at the age of six years. One brother, Dr. L. J. Leech and one sister, Mrs. C. E. Smith, are the only remaining members of the immediate family, two brothers, Charles and John Leech having preceded him in death. There are seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church at 2:00 o'clock Friday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. Harry D. Green. The Masonic Lodge had charge of the ceremonies at the grave, burial being in the West Branch cemetery.