Thomas Leech1870-1892

LEECH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/6/2018 at 11:56:32

20 October 1892 - West Branch Times

Died, at his home near this city Monday morning, Oct. 17th, 1892, THOMAS I, son of John and Mariam LEECH, aged 22 years. His illness was malarial fever. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. S. Craft Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the M.E. church, which was considered the largest gathering of the kind ever held in this place.

In the removal of this loved one death has indeed taken a shining mark from our community, one whose young life gave great promise of future usefulness. A suitable memorial will be prepared for next issued of this paper.

27 October 1892 - West Branch Times

DIED--At his father's residence, two miles south west of West Branch, Iowa, on Monday Oct. 26th, 1892 Thomas I Leech, in his twenty-third year.

Thomas I. Leech, was the third child of John and Mariam Leech. He was born in Johnson county, Iowa, May 2nd 1870. He attended the High School in West Branch until last year. He was converted three years ago, and was received into full membership in the M.E. church about one year ago. He was an active member of the Epworth League, holding the office of first vice president, having charge of the devotional meetings of the chapter. He was Librarian in the Sabbath School and also a teacher in the Loyal Legion. He was of genial nature, having a bright, glowing religious experience, His faith in God was supreme. He was, for so young a Christian remarkably gifted in prayer. The people will remember for years to come, his earnest fervel prayers in the Epworth League, and the prayer meetings of the church. His last work was for the church, three weeks before his death he conducted the devotional meeting on Sunday evening, and on Monday attended the County Sunday School Convention at Tipton as a delegate from this church. While there he was taken sick with the fever that caused his death. His death is a broken link in the family, a loss to the church and community, but a gain of eternal life to him. The funeral services at the house were conducted by the Society of Friends of which organization he had formerly been a birthright member. At the M.E. church, his pastor the Rev. W. S. Craft conducted the exercises, assisted by Rev. Hoover, Hemingway and Pemberton. The sermon was preached from Pauls Epistle to Philippians, 1ch.21v. "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." The attendance of the largest funeral assemblage, ever convened in West Branch, testified to the esteem in which this young man was held.