Pressly Leech, p. 894

PRESSLY LEECH. Men of business capacity and intellectual force need no formal introduction in a work of this character, for their names are indelibly printed in the minds and hearts of the surrounding community, whose interests they are continually planning to advance. In the foremost rank of the best citizens of this county the name of Leech has ever been identified and interwoven with its earliest history.

James Leech (the grandfather of subject) was born in County Down, Ireland, and there married Jane Reynolds. Three children were born to them: John, Thomas and William. Having decided to try life in the New World, the grandfather, in company with his family and a brother named 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 houses 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 1812. 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 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 stands, 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 those 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 throughout 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 1815 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. He was a ruling elder in the Seceder Church and of the Associate Union Church during his life. The old Church stands. He was called to his long home June 27, 1852, and June 4, 1867, his wife was laid to rest beside him.

Pressly Leech (son of James and Elizabeth Leech) was born October 20, 1832, on the home farm in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed. His early education was received at the country schools, after which he was a student at Washington and Jefferson College for one year, being then obliged to leave school on account of an attack of inflammatory rheumatism. Returning to the farm, and upon regaining his health, he taught from 1854 to 1857 in Smith township, also followed agricultural pursuits. On January 8, 1857, he was united in marriage with Susan R. Marshall, who was born in 1835, in Queen Anne's county, Md., daughter of Stewart and Maria (Tittle) Marshall. Stewart Marshall was born in Cross Creek township, a son of William Marshall, who came from Ireland to America when twelve years old, and died in Cross Creek township. Stewart Marshall, who was a stone mason, was married in Baltimore to Maria Little, and by her had four children: Elizabeth, in Midway; Louisa, widow of John Robertson, of Cross Creek village; Susan R., Mrs. Pressly Leech; and Sarah, wife of John Barnes, living in Jefferson county, Iowa. Mr. Marshall died in Iowa, his wife in Maryland. Mrs. Leech spent her girlhood in Baltimore, and after coming to Pennsylvania taught school for a time in Cross Creek township prior to her marriage. The children of Pressly and Susan R. (Marshall) Leech are Lizzie Wishart (living at home), Susan L. (wife of William McIlvaine, of Mount Pleasant township), James P. (a farmer of Smith township living on the old grandfather Leech farm), Robert V. (deceased in youth), John C. (residing with his parents), Linda E. (a graduate of California (Penn.) College, now teaching school in Mt. Pleasant township), J. Gibson and Ernest A. (living at home).

Mr. and Mrs. Leech began married life on the old Leech homestead, where they resided until 1867. He then purchased some land adjoining the old place, to which he has continued to add, now owning almost two hundred acres of choice land. A few years ago he erected one of the finest country residences in Smith township, including many conveniences which can be found in no other farm- house of the neighborhood. The dwelling is elegantly furnished and very commodious, while the barn a substantial structure 40x60 feet, with wing 28x30 feet was built in 1892, and is one of the finest in the township. In 1891 Mr. Leech erected an aermotor, which pumps water, shells corn, grinds chop feed for his own use, as well as thousands of bushels per annum for his neighbors. The first steam thresher used in the township was owned by a company of which Mr. Leech was a member. The first sewing machine (a "Wheeler & Wilson") in the vicinity was owned by the family, and was a curiosity in its day. His farm is situated about five miles from Burgettstown, on what is called the "Contention tract," the Vance Campbell and Stevenson families all at one time advancing claims to it, but which finally became the "Campbell farm."

In politics he was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the party became a Republican, but has always limited his political interests to the ballot, preferring to spend his time in other ways. He and his wife are members of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church, of which he is a deacon.

Text taken from page 894 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]