Henry Clay Leach

HENRY CLAY LEACH was born in Ohio County, Ky., December 1, 1845. His father, John Nelson Leach, was a native of Ohio County; followed the vocation of farming; died in 1863, aged fifty-six years, leaving twelve children; he was twice married; his first wife was Martha Taylor, who died in 1840. His second marriage was with Joanna Arnold, of Spencer County, Ky. The result of this marriage was nine children; Leonard Leach, father of John N., was a native of Maryland; he came to Kentucky in 1799, and settled in Ohio County, where he died in 1840. Henry Clay Leach, after the death of his father, remained with his mother, supporting the family by his labor until October 10, 1864, when he joined the Federal army; enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, as a private, in which capacity he served until the close of the war; was engaged in the memorable battle of Nashville, Tenn., besides numerous other engagements and skirmishes. At the close of the war he returned to his home and resumed farming. Four years later he bought the homestead farm, to which he has since added 100 acres; he now owns 268 acres of land, 200 of which are well fenced and under cultivation, well stocked and well improved, with barns, dwelling, orchard, etc. Mr. Leach inherits no part of his possessions, but has made all by his own labor with the help and encouragement of his wife. In connection with his farm interests he gives some attention to the purchase and sale of cattle. In 1871 Mr. Leach united himself in marriage with Laura E., daughter of J. B. Taylor, of Ohio County. Their union has been blessed with one child. Mr. Leach was a member of the P. of H. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the issues of the day.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Hartford Republic, June 17, 1904.  Henry Clay Leach died very suddenly of heart disease at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning at his home in Beaver Dam. He was buried on the 15th at Mt. Zion Cemetery. He was a Federal soldier during the Civil War, and Postmaster at Beaver Dam during the McKinley first administration. He leaves his wife and several children to mourn him.