JOSEPH P. LEECH, a worthy representative of an old pioneer family of Washington county, is a grandson of James Leech, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and there married to Jane Reynolds, by which union were born three children: John, Thomas and William. Having decided to try life in the New World, the grandfather, in company with his family and a brother Robert, sailed from Ireland in 1774. They landed at Philadelphia, where the brothers separated, Robert going south, eventually settling in South Carolina, while James and his family pushed farther west, first locating in Northampton county, Penn. In August, 1775, they came to Smith township, Washington county, and in the unbroken wilderness erected their one-room log cabin home, which compared very favorably with the homes of the other early settlers. With his firearms as constant companions, James Leech began the herculean task of transforming the unsightly forest into a fertile farm. Eight years passed away before civilization had rendered the little home comparatively safe from attacks of the Indians, and in the meantime the settlers were often forced to flee to the neighboring blockhouse for protection, which blockhouse stood on the old Leech farm. Undaunted by the toil and privations of this life, James Leech found time and strength to take part in the national struggle of his adopted country. Her cause was his, her liberties dearer to his heart than life, and with the beginning of the Revolution he enlisted in a company organized by Capt. Joseph Erwin, afterward incorporated under Col. Samuel Miles' Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment. This division finally became a part of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania, then of the Second Pennsylvania, and on January 1, 1778, having served his time, he was discharged from the service at Valley Forge. He was paid in "Continental money," which was worthless, and part of it is still in the possession of the family. He then returned to the farm in Washington county, where he died in December, 1823, having been preceded by his wife in l8l2. The children who were born after the family had settled in Pennsylvania were as follows: James, Robert, Samuel, Margaret (wife of John Cunningham) and Jane (unmarried), all of whom are now deceased, but lived to an adult age. James Leech, son of the old pioneer, James, was born September 17, 1775, in Northampton county, Penn. His youth was passed on the home farm, and he received a subscription-school education. Early evincing a taste for mechanical work, he learned the trade of millwright. He bought a farm where the old fort stood, and had a saw and grist mill, to which latter wheat was brought on horseback. In 1803 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wishart, who was born in 1782, in Franklin county, Penn., and came with her parents to Washington county when thirteen years of age. James and Elizabeth Leech were the parents of the following children: James, Jane (wife of James McKeen, of Greene county, Penn., both deceased), Nancy (Mrs. James McGhee, of Tama county, Iowa, both deceased), John, Robert, David, Thomas, Elizabeth (living with her brother Joseph), Joseph P., Mary (wife of A. Phillis, of Smith township), and Pressly. Of these children there are yet living: Elizabeth, Joseph P. and Pressly. After his marriage James Leech settled on a farm in Smith township. In 1812 he entered the war of that period, serving under Harrison through the campaign. In politics he was a Whig, first a Jackson man, but changed on the bank question, and took a very active part in the campaign preceding the election of President Harrison. He was an enthusiastic admirer of his older leader, and did all in his power to secure the election of the sturdy, fearless veteran. In 1818 Mr. Leech was appointed a justice of the peace, filling that office twenty-two years, during which time his rulings were invariably sustained by the higher courts. He and his wife were members of the Seceder Church, and then of the Union Church, to which he contributed liberally, having given the land for a church at Mt. Vernon before the project was abandoned, owing to disorganization. The old church stands. He was called to his long home June 27,1852, and on June 4, 1867, his wife was laid to rest beside him. Joseph P. Leech was born October 21, 1826, in Smith township, this county, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. He followed farming some time, then entered mercantile life, conducting a store near Mt. Vernon church (as it was then called) for seven years. He then became a drover, dealing extensively in wool, and this business called him to different parts of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, where he has an extensive acquaintance; he also made frequent trips to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and many other Eastern cities, with which he has become very familiar. Mr. Leech owns an immense tract of prime land which is cultivated under his supervision. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Burgettstown National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. Politically he was originally a Whig, now a Republican, and he was present at the convention when John C. Fremont was nominated for President. He is not a politician as far as office-holding is concerned. In 1877 he met with a serious accident, which resulted in the loss of his left eye, which was struck by the horn of an ox. Mr. Leech is a well- built, healthy man, stands five feet ten and one-half inches, and weighs 160 pounds. He has never married.

Text taken from page 1440 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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