Another talented early Roberts business man was Joseph B. Leach. Orphaned early in life, he started out at the age of 15 to make his own way. He first learned the tinner's trade; worked for a manufacturer of locomotive headlights, and then enlisted serving two and a half years. He participated in several important battles. In 1865 he entered the employ of Cultra and Pearson in Onarga. In 1873 he came to Roberts and worked as a tinner in the hardware store of Thompson and Lyman. In 1886 he patented Leach's improved roaster and baker. A stock company was formed in 1888. He later moved his factory to Paxton because of better shipping facilities, although he and his family continued to live in Roberts. Mr. Leach tended a small nursery of trees near his home, and some of the maples growing in the village today were raised and set out by Joseph Leach. The Leach home is presently owned and occupied by Mrs. Elsie Boyd.
--Roberts Area Centennial. 100 Years of Plowing Planting Progressing. 1872-1972. Page 8.
The Elsie Boyd house still stands in Roberts. I will post a photo soon. It is on Maple Street.
Thanks to Angie Wieneke for this info on the RIHG page on Facebook: Since we delivered the News-Gazette newspaper...the line up for the street was...Mrs. Geraldine Shambrook, Walter's, Weber's, Anderson's, Mrs. Boyd, Long's, Benz's.
--Roberts Area Centennial 1872-1972. 100 Years of Plowing, Planting,
Progressing. Page 9.
1901 Plat. J. B. Leach owns quite a few lots in 1901.
--Roberts Herald. 19 January 1938.
--Paxton Record. 19 January 1888.
--Posted to the Roberts Illinois History Group page by Jean Fox.
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