More on Joseph and Mary Leach . . .

Roberts Congregational Church Choir.
Addie Leach in the back row, second from the right.

Joseph B. Leach, the son of Elisha B. and Ruth (Metcalf) Leach was born near Springfield, Mass., 1833. His mother died when he was only three months old. His aunt, Fannie Crane, Of Mormon Hollow, Mass., mothered him. When he was about eight years old he went to live with L. B. Anderson, a farmer of Montague, Mass. He did not have much time for education, about one month in a year. The most of his education in his youthful years was by observation. He would watch for new words... and learn their meaning and thus, little by little, he increased his vocabulary.
When he was fifteen years of age, he started out to make his own way. He had intended to make a mechanic of himself but learned the tinner's trade instead. He worked at his trade until 1861, at the break out of the Rebellion.
He went to Utica, New York, and worked for a manufacturer of locomotive head-lights. He continued with him until President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand troops. He enlisted and served for two years and six months and was honorably discharged.
On his return after his discharge, he spend a year in the Adirondack Mountains, after which he again worked in Utica, New York.
In 1865, he came to Onarga, Ill., and farmed for one year, then he entered the employ of Cultra and Pearson, in Onarga, with whom he remained seven years.
In 1873 he came to Roberts and was tinner of Thompson and Lyman in the hardware store. He remained in the store though the owners changed until 1888. He had invented and patented an improved roaster and baker which was in great demand. A stock company was formed and a small factory started in Roberts. The factory was moved to Paxton where they had better shipping facilities where it was operated for several years. The income from the pan business was sufficient to give Mr. and Mrs. Leach a good income.
In 1857 Joseph B. Leach married Mary E. Jones, a native of England. To their union was born one child which died in infancy. they had two adopted daughters, Adda and Jennie. Adda married Leonard Wampler and moved to Indiana in 1905. They have two sons. Jennie married William Kenney of Wall Town. Mrs. Jennie Kenney died a short time ago. She leaves beside her husband, several children.
Adda Leach was a good worker in the church. She was greatly missed when she left here. She was always willing to do her part. So she was willing to work in the Congregational Church, so was Mr. J. B. Leach an ever-ready helper for the Methodist Church. He had much talent and was not backward about using it.

EARLY DAYS IN THE TOWN OF LYMAN --Roberts Herald. 29 January 1936. Bela Foster.