Joseph and Mary Leach

--Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois. Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1892.

Joseph B. Leach, an honored veteran of the late war, who has long been identified with the history of Roberts, and the upbuilding of its social, education and moral interests, deserves special mention in the county's history. He was born near Springfield, Mass., June 22, 1833, and was the younger of two children. His sister, Mary Ann, is now a resident of West Millbury, Mass.
Joseph's father, Elisha B. Leach, was a boot and shoe maker by trade, and was of Spanish descent. He died on his way across the plains to Pike's Peak. He was twice married. He first wedded Ruth Metcalf and afterward Laura Beeman became his wife.
Joseph's mother died when he was only three months old, and he was left in the charge of his aunt, Fannie Crane, at Morman Hollow, Mass. His early boyhood days were anything but pleasant. At the age of eight, he went to live with L. B. Anderson, a farmer of Montague, Mass. His educational advantages were very meagre, for he could only attend school about one month in the year. Whenever he could pick up a piece of printed paper, he would study it over and over, until he had mastered its contents, and if he came across a word whose meaning he did not know, he would listen until he heard the word used in conversation, and thus learn its meaning. He is now a well-informed man, but is has been only through his own efforts.
At the age of fifteen, he started out in life for himself. It was his desire to become a mechanic, but he was forced to learn the tinner's trade instead, and worked at that occupation until the breaking out of the Rebellion. While in Albany, N.Y., he lost all that he had in the financial panic of 1857. From there he went to Utica, N.Y., and entered the employ of I. A. Williams, a manufacture of locomotive headlights, with whom he remained for seven years. He is really the inventor of the air chamber in the headlight of the locomotive. This has made a fortune to the manufacturers, but Mr. Leach only received $1.50, although out of his brain was evolved the idea.
On the 11th of August, 1852, Mr. Leach wedded Miss Mary Millard, a native of Stamford, Vt., and unto them were born two daughters: Lillian and Mary, both of whom reside in Stamford. Mary Millard Leach died in 1856, and Mr. Leach was again married, August 10, 1857, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Jones, a native of Manchester, England, who, when a maiden of ten summers, came with her grandparents to America. They sailed in the "Brittanica," and when they came around the banks of Newfoundland, there was a heavy fog and they just escaped two large icebergs. They were wrecked on a shoat, but signals of distress were given and small boats came to the rescue of the passengers, who, with ropes around their waists, were lowered into the little fishing boats, two hundred and fifty thus being saved. They were landed at St. John's, Newfoundland, and there resided four years, when they started for Boston, but were again shipwrecked and delayed for two weeks. They afterward made their way to Utica, N. Y., where Mrs. Leach resided for fifteen years. Her education was limited, but by reading she has kept well informed on the events of the day. She is the mother of one child and has two adopted daughters. George, the only son, died at the age of three months, Adda is a member of the Congregational Church, and is quite proficient in both vocal and instrumental music. Jennie, the adopted daughter, is now attending the public schools.
When President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand troops on the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Leach was working at his trade, but he and his companion decided to at once enter the service. He went to his home and said to his wife, "Nellie, I have enlisted. You must go to your father in Chicago." So they both left home, and Mr. Leach joined Company E of the New York Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, which was ordered to Albany for drill and then sent to Washington. While there the citizens presented the regiment with a beautiful flag, valued at $600, with the request: " Col. McWade, we ask only that your regiment will protect these stars and stripes, and not a star be dropped from the field." The Colonel replied: "This flag shall return unsullied, or our bodies will find graves in Southern soil." The regiment originally numbered seven hundred and fifty, but only forty-six were mustered out at the close of the war. Mr. Leach participated in the battle of Hanover, the seven days' battle of the Wilderness, and at Gaines' Mill was appointed to put all the damaged shells, powder and broken guns in a tent, which he was to fire when the troops left. On the approach of the rebels, he applied the torch and jumped down an embankment just in time to save his life. He saw Jeff Davis in an old hut and was about to fire upon him when two women took their station in front of him. Mr. Leach also participated in the battles of Big Bethel, Malvern Hill, Cold Harbor, Fair Oaks, South Mountain, Antietem, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and many others of importance. He was in active service for two years and six months, and then honorably discharged. He was a true soldier, ever found at this post of duty, and his army record is one of which he may justly be proud.
On his return, Mr. Leach spent about a year in the Adirondack Mountains, after which he again worked in Utica, N. Y. In 1865, he came to Onarga, Ill., and engaged in farming for a year, when he entered the employ of Cultra & Pearson, of Onarga, with whom he remained for seven years. Since that time he has been an honored and respected citizen of Roberts. In 1886, he patented Leach's improved roaster and baker, and for two years engaged in its manufacture, when the sales became too large for his labor alone, a stock company was formed in 1888. The first plant was located in Roberts, but on account of the better shipping facilities was removed to Paxton. About five thousand bakers are manufactured and sold each month, and twenty men are employed in this work. Mr. Leach is paid a good royalty, and now in his declining years is enabled to live retired, being surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

L E A C H , J O S E P H B.—Age, 26 years. Enlisted, May 1, 1861, at Utica; mustered in as private, Co. E , May 17,1861, to serve two years; mustered out with company, Mav 24, 1863, at Utica, N. Y.

--Annual Report of the Adjuctant General of the State of New York.