From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 711-712.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN W. LEACH

John W. Leach is a prosperous and prominent citizen of Benwood.  He 
was born August 29, 1860, the son of Edward R. and Eliza J. (Conner) 
Leach.  The father, who was of English descent, was born June 3, 
1818, and the mother in 1821.  The latter's parents were William and 
Sarah (Carney) Conner, who came to this state from Delaware, in 1821 
or 1822.  Patrick Conner and Edward Carney, great grandfathers of 
Mrs. Leach, were both valiant soldiers in the Revolutionary war, Mr. 
Carney having been wounded six or seven times at the battle of 
Germantown.  Both of these grandparents were natives of Ireland, and 
arrived in this country but a short time prior to the Revolutionary 
war.  Mr. Leach's grandparents were Ambrose and Mary (Arnold) Leach, 
they came to America during its early days.  All of these forefathers 
were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. 
Leach's father, Edward R., was a class leader in the Methodist church 
for many years, and was probably the first to fill that office in the 
church at Gravel Bottom, afterward serving in the same capacity in 
the brick church, at McMechen's, below Benwood.  He and his goodly 
wife were very highly respected and useful members of that church for 
a greater part of their lives, and passed from labor to reward within 
three days of each other, her death occurring November 13, 1887, and 
in three days he followed her to the other and better land.  John W. 
Leach was a nail feeder for some years in his younger days, 
subsequently he learned the nailer's trade, and has been engaged in 
this occupation for eight years, having met with abundant success.  
Besides this pursuit he is also interested in a mercantile business 
with his brother, they doing business under the firm name of Leach 
Bros.  The latter firm conducts a very prosperous trade in groceries 
and dry goods.  Mrs. Leach's father and mother are Horatio N. and 
Aurelia Peabody, old and well-known residents of this city, the 
father being one of the oldest nailers in Benwood.  During the late 
war he was a sergeant of Company K, Second regiment of the New Jersey 
infantry.  Two bright little girls have grown up in the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Leach, they are:  Olive L. and Nellie.  For many years these 
worthy people have been communicants of the Methodist Episcopal 
church; the former having been a class leader in the same for eleven 
years, and is also the superintendent of the Sunday school, and 
trustee and steward.  Mr. Leach is a member of the I.O.O.F., and the 
National Union, having been the first president in this city of the 
latter organization.  He is an ardent republican and a thorough 
Christian gentleman.


(Linda Fluharty)