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LEECH, Clarence Judson - 1912 Bio (1868-1956)

LEECH, WOOLEY, ORR, HARKENS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/21/2007 at 18:10:36

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II
Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 463-465

Clarence Judson LEECH.

For more than thirteen years Clarence Judson LEECH has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a one hundred and twenty acre tract, on section 12, Black Hawk township. Iowa has always been the home of Mr. LEECH, whose birth occurred in Richland, Keokuk county, on February 27, 1868, his parents being John and Maria (WOOLEY) LEECH. The father, who was of scotch (sic) extraction, was born in Ohio, where he learned and in his early manhood followed the blacksmith's trade, but later took up farming. With his wife and family he removed to Jefferson county in 1870, buying a farm in Black Hawk township, a mile east of District No. 1 school. After residing there for twenty-seven years he went to Clark, Iowa, where he lived for two years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Black Hawk township, settling on the farm adjoining the one now owned by his son Clarence on the west. He lived there for four years then went to Osceola, Iowa, thence to Wyoming, locating at Sheridan, where he passed away on the 13th of July, 1910. The mother died in 1887, while the family were living in Black Hawk township.

Clarence Judson LEECH in the acquirement of an education mastered the studies usually taught in the district schools. Before completing the course he became associated with his father in the operation of the home farm on a percentage basis, thus acquiring not only a thorough understanding of agricultural but of business methods, well qualifying him for the practical duties of life. As he was ambitious, it was his desire to own property and with this end in view he saved his earnings and in 1898 bought eighty acres of land that formed the nucleus of his present homestead. He subsequently extended the boundaries of his farm by the addition of another forty that he bought from his father. During the period of his ownership he has greatly added to the value of his property by the addition of many conveniences and facilities that bespeak a spirit of progress and enterprise. Here he engages in general farming and in connection with the cultivation of his fields, makes a specialty of raising stock, that he feeds for the market. Both lines have proven very remunerative under his capable direction as is manifested by the general appearance of his place. He is one of the active and highly energetic men of the community and has brought his fields into a high state of cultivation, that annually yield him goodly dividends on the labor expended.

Pleasant Plain was the scene of the marriage of Mr. LEECH, on the 21st of December, 1892, to Miss Mary L. ORR, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (HARKENS) ORR. The father was a butcher by trade and was for many years engaged in business in Pleasant Plain, where he passed away in 1897. The mother is still living and continues to make her home in Pleasant Plain. Unto Mr. and Mrs. LEECH there has been born one daughter, Nellie M., who is seventeen years of age and a student in the Richland high school.

The family are Methodist in faith and hold membership in the McDowell chapel at Penn township. Fraternally Mr. LEECH is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Richland, while his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, also of Richland. Although a republican in his political views, Mr. LEECH, on all -- save national issues -- votes for the man he deems most likely to give the people efficient service. He has never taken an active interest in township affairs, as he does not aspire to official honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his agricultural pursuits. Success is crowning his efforts and throughout the community, where he has spent practically his entire life, he is held in high esteem by reasons of the upright and honorable principles that have actuated him in all of his relations of life.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.


 

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