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John Leach (1897)

BLACK, BRUCE, LEACH, LEECH, SHAFFER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 8/6/2008 at 18:37:16

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 15, 1897
Page 5

A Sudden Death.

John Leech, an old resident of this city, died suddenly yesterday morning of apoplexy. He had eaten a hearty breakfast and had been out on his lawn talking to a neighbor, seemingly in good health, only a few moments before his death. Mr. Leech was among the oldest settlers of this county, having come here with his parents in 1854. He leaves behind him a wife and three daughters.
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Semi Weekly Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, April 16, 1897

Sudden Death.

The people of Winterset were painfully surprised to learn of the sudden death of Mr. John T. Leach. He had been in his usual health, excepting that for two or three weeks he had been troubled with a lameness in one leg resulting from some sort of inflammation or sore. He got up as usual and ate a fairly hearty breakfast. He then went into his bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed, and was heard to exclaim that his head was paining him, when the family went to him he was holding his hands against his head. In a moment or two he fell over and expired. The cause of death was undoubtedly a stroke of apoplexy.

Mr. Leech was a brother-in-law of J. H. Black, J. R. Bruce and Andrew Shaffer. He has one uncle living in this county, and a brother, James Leech, formerly of this county, but now living in Nebraska, who came to attend the funeral. The services were postponed till today to give him an opportunity to be present, and were conducted at the house by Rev. Fred Harris. Deceased was an early settler in this county, settling in what afterwards became Douglas township. A few years ago he retired from active work and removed to Winterset. Besides his wife he leaves three daughters, one of whom is married.
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Semi Weekly Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, April 23, 1897

Obituary

John Leach was born in Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, August 6th, 1837, and died at his residence in Winterset, Iowa, on the morning of April 14th, 1897.

At the age of 17 years he united with the Christian church in Warren, Ohio, in which communion he remained until he died.

About the year 1852 he moved to Madison county, Iowa, settling in what is now Douglas township. Here he established his home, respected by all his neighbors, many of whom were present at this burial to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom they loved while he was a resident among them.

On the 5th of November, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Shafer, the ceremony being performed in this city. Six children were given to bless the home then established. Three of these children have already passed to the heavenly home. The three daughters who are yet living were with the mother to comfort her in the hour of her great grief, even while they themselves bow in grief because he who lavished a father’s love upon them is not, for God has taken him.

About two years ago Mr. Leach moved his family to Winterset. His residence here brought him into closer touch with the business and social interests of the city, and those who transacted business with him while his residence was in the country, came to appreciate the uprightness and splendid integrity of his character during the closer and more constant association of his residence among them.

Although Mr. Leach did not identify himself with either of the churches in the city, yet he was a regular attendant on some one of the churches every Sabbath when he was able to go. He was a man of large, catholic spirit, and had great respect for all who sincerely loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was confined to his house about four weeks previous to his death, caused by an injured leg, but his general health had suffered no impairment, so that when the summons came so swiftly and unexpectedly on the 14th inst., it was a shock to the entire community. But God the Father makes no mistakes. He is never surprised or taken unawares. He who has promised that not even a sparrow shall fall to the ground unnoticed, had this husband and father under His watchful eye, and will have the devoted wife and the loving children in his own keeping. In addition to the loved ones of his own family, one brother and one sister are left to mourn his departure and cherish his memory.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, April 16, 1897
Page 5, Column 4

John Leech Dies

John Leech died very suddenly at his home in the north part of the town early Wednesday morning of heart failure. Mr. Leech was nearly seventy years old and came to Winterset from Douglas township two or three years ago. He owned several houses in town. He was an old resident of the county and was a man highly esteemed by his neighbors.

He was feeling well in the morning and had worked in the garden a little but came to the house and laid down on a bed saying he did not feel well. He was dead in a few minutes. The funeral occurs today.

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