* * * * * THE LEACH FAMILY * * * * *

James Leach was born near *Loughfoil, Scotland 3 June 1796. His mother's maiden name is CAMPBELL. According to his obituary he traveled the British Isles as a young man then ended up near Hope Township (believed to be Peterborough), Ontario, Canada. On 31 December 1835 he married Elizabeth Jemima NUGENT. Their 8 sons and 1 daughter were born in Ontario. In 1864, wishing to seek new fortunes 2 of the older sons wended their way on the Star of Empire and found a farm in Ogle/DeKalb Co. Illinois, near Creston. James & Elizabeth and the rest of the family soon followed. There is a Leach's Bridge in the area and the barns still stand on the property on Woodlawn Road (HW 18). They stayed there until 1888 when the farm was lost to a group of prairie bandits one night. James & Elizabeth and family fled to Chicago & lived at 787 Austin Ave. Elizabeth died soon after on 23 September 1888. James lived to just 3 months short of 100 years of age; he died 20 March 1896.
*Loughfoil was named as place of birth in his obituary. Spelling is no doubt Loch & could be Foil/Voyle/Voil or other variation. A family member believes this place to be approximately across from the tip of No. Ireland, but in Scotland. Any ideas about the location or parish would be most appreciated.

a photo/sketch included with his March 1896 obituary

Children of James LEACH & Elizabeth Jemima NUGENT all born in Ontario, Canada:
James b 17 September 1836 m Sarah TATE; d 15 August 1925 Baldwin KS
Francis "Frank" b 24 July 1838 m Ann Jane MORROW; d 15 Oct. 1925 Grand Junction CO [my gr grandparents]
John b 23 March 1842 m Margaret Elizabeth KNOWLES; d 14 October 1920 Ree Heights, So. Dakota
Charles b 4 September 1844 m Charlotte 'Darle' Slagle JUNKIN; d Feb 14, 1911 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Edward b 30 September 1846 m Jennie M. DAILEY; d 11 July 1941 Chicago IL
William B. b 18 January 1849 m Emma Rose WERTHWEIN; d 24 March 1928 Lake Forest Area, Chicago IL
Thomas b 18 March 1851 m Sara S. TYSON; d 24 September 1924 Randolph KS
Robert E. b 8 February 1853 - never married; d 12 April 1893 Chicago IL
Jemima "Minnie" b 8 June 1856 - never married; d 12 January 1902 Chicago IL


Cabin at Pinon Mesa, Mesa Co. Colorado belonging to Frank & Ann Jane (MORROW) LEACH, center.
Who are the others?    Possibly 2 brothers of Frank Leach & their wives?
If the lady on the left is Ida Leach Friedman, their daughter, with her 5 children, the picture is taken in Spring 1911, based on birth year of the youngest on the horse, John Edward Friedman.

May 1918, Teller Ave., Grand Junction, CO
Back: Mima Leach, Frank & Ida (Leach) Friedman -- Home Guard uniform
Middle: Clement Friedman, Ann Jane (MORROW) Leach, John Friedman, Frank Leach, Vincent Friedman
Front: Mildred Friedman, Alpha Leach, Gladys Friedman

James LEACH 1836-1925

Frank LEACH 1838-1925

John LEACH 1842-1920

Charles LEACH 1844-1911

Edward LEACH 1846-1941 & wife Jennie M. DAILEY

William B. LEACH 1849-1928

Thomas LEACH 1851-1924

Robert E. LEACH 1853-1893

Jemima 'Minnie' 'Mima' LEACH 1856-1902

Updated May 29, 2005

I have lots more information about most of the above families.
I also have old photos of some of the children as well as information about the above families.

I'd love to hear from you if you think there's a connection -- Jean McNamara (luvbugsgram@comcast.net)