Biography - William Leach
William A. LEACH, grocer, Litchfield, was born October 11, 1833, in Philadelphia, Penn., and, at the age of one year, was taken to Salem, N. J., thence, two years later, to Wilmington, Del., where he grew up, and at the age of sixteen, apprenticed himself to the molder's trade, serving his time under Bush & Lobdell, in their foundry, working also two years as journeyman. He went to Atlanta, Ga., in 1859, and worked four years in a foundry there, and at Macon, Ga., was foreman for one year in the Macon & Western Railroad shops. In December 1864, he came to Litchfield, where he has since resided. He worked as molder here in the railroad shops ten years for Mr. H. H. BEACH. In about 1875, he bought a farm in South Litchfield Township of 206 acres, and conducted it five years with good success; he still owns it. In January, 1880, he engaged in the grocery trade with Mr. THORPE, and since has conducted a prosperous business under the firm name of Thorpe & Leach, on Jackson street. In 1862, he was married to a widow lady, Mrs. JONES, nee Miss Temperance FOWLER, at Atlanta, Ga.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 151-152.
