MARY ODELPHIA KETCHUM LEACH

LEACH, KETCHUM, HENDERSON

Posted By: H.Vargus (email)
Date: 10/3/2010 at 17:58:19

DEATH OF MRS. JOHN C. LEACH
From Memphis (MO) Reveille, October 31, 1901, page 2, Col. 5

Mrs. John C. Leach died from the effects of an abscess, at her home in this city, Friday evening, October 21, at 7:50 o'clock.

She had been in ill health for a long time. All through her illness she had good medical attention and the tender care of loving friends, but these could not stay the march of the merciless disease that was wasting her life away. Only a week or so befoe her death she was taken to the Graham Hospital in Keokuk for treatment, but had not been there long before the doctors gave up hope, so she was brought home last week to die, as the sequel shows.

She was an estimable Christian lady, highly esteemed and beloved. In all her illness she was patient,cheerful and submissive. In this the twilight of the evening her pure and gentle spirit slipped away into the land of the everlasting dawn. All is well with her now. Friends ____ and will mourn, but she is at rest.

Mary Odelphia Ketchum, (usually called Della), was born June 30, 1819, in Ripley, Huron County, Ohio. In December 1851 she moved with her parents to Keosauqua, Iowa, where she grew to young womanhood, and was married to John C. Leach, June 7, 1875. After their marriage they located in Memphis, Missouri where they continued to reside until her death.

A few years of her life were spent in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she attended school. There she was united with the Episcopal Church. After moving to Memphis she joined the First Presbyterian Church by letter and held membership there until called to her reward.

She was the mother of one son who died at the age of six months. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church, Sunday afternoon, Dr. W.R. Henderson, officiating, after which the body was tenderly laid to rest in the cemetery.