Maggie Leach (1862-1934)

LEACH

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 13:08:55

MRS. MAGGIE LEACH 1862-1934
PHOTO AVAILABLE of MAGGIE LEACH and JOE HARVEY

Mrs. Maggie Leach, was born in Bloomfield, Pennsylvania and came west with her parents when a very small child, her parents located at Redfield. Her mother died, leaving two motherless daughters. The father was not able in those days to care for them as they should be looked after. One daughter, Anna, was sent to Des Moines to live with an aunt, but who now lives at Los Angeles, California. The other, girl, Maggie, was sent to live with her aunt, Mrs. Joe Harvey, who lived in Avoca. Maggie was a girl about 6 years old.

All her early life was spent with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harvey, then owners and proprietors of the Pacific House, Avoca’s first hotel. At Mrs. Leach’s death, she had lived in Avoca, the longest of anyone now living here.

In 1878, she was united in marriage to H.E. Leach, to this union was born two sons, E.A. Leach and H.E. Leach Jr., both of Avoca.

After Mrs. Leach grew to womanhood, she was very active in the affairs of Avoca, socially and in the business way.

She was a lady with unusual ability, her friends were numbered by those who knew her. She had a kindly word for the unfortunate, the sick as well as those more fortunate in world’s affairs. Her home was always open to her friends.

When a little girl she came to Avoca to live with her uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harvey. Avoca was considered a western town, the terminus of the Rock Island railway. Mr. Harvey running a boarding car, later the Pacific House was built on the lots now occupied by the Charlie Swartz residence. In these pioneer days Uncle Joe Harvey and his wife were among the best known people in this vicinity. The young man who came to ‘grow up” with the west, stopped in Avoca enroute west.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey conducted the Pacific House for years and later built the Harvey hotel, where the Paulson rooming house now stands. They continued this hotel until their death. Many of the readers of the Journal Herald will remember these pioneer days.

Mrs. H. E. Leach, wife of “Hub” Leach passed away at her home March 26, after a prolonged illness.
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Maggie Braugmbaugh Leach was born in Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1862. She came to Avoca at the age of seven to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harvey, and has resided here continuously since that time. In September 1878, she became the wife of H.E. Leach who survives her.

Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Leach are the parents of two sons, E.A. Leach and H.E. Leach Jr.

She is survived by her husband, her sons, three grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Anna Grey of Los Angeles, California.

Mrs. Leach has been closely identified with the social and fraternal life of Avoca for more than half a century and her absence will be keenly felt by her associates. She was a member of the Royal Neighbor and Rebecca lodges and had filled offices in both orders.

The funeral was held at 3:30 o’clock pm this Thursday, March 29, at the Blust Funeral Home.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald

Possibly Council Bluffs Nonpareil