From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties,
Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois;
page 317-318; a reprinted by Stevens Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is
sold by the Schuyler County Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
Elias D. Leach, M. D. deceased for many years one of the prominent
citizens of Rushville ... born near Youngstown, Ohio, March 26, 1823,
son of Benjamin and Hannah (Raynor) Leach, pioneers of Mahoning county,
Ohio. His father died when he was two years old, so that as he
advanced in years he was obliged to make all the opportunities that he
enjoyed; when he had recieved a sufficient education he engaged in
teaching and soon turned his attention to the study of medicine; his
leisure time was fully occupied in this pursuit and he finally entered
the office of Dr. Packhard, of West Greenville, Penn. In 1844 he
became a student in the Medical Department of the western Reserve
College at Cleveland, Ohio. He studied and taught
alternately, securing the means with which to carry on his own
education, and had the gratification of recieving a diploma in 1848.
Dr. Leach came directly to Illinois and for a short time he
practiced in Virginia, Cass County; thence he removed to Frederick,
Schuyler County where he resided until 1853. In that year he came
to Rushville and embarked in mercantile trade as a member of the firm
of Little, Ray, & Co.; this relationship continued until
1863, when the Dr. withdrew and devoted his entire time to his private
interests and professional duties until 1880; he then returned to
commercial circles and continued in business until 1890, when he was
obliged to retire on account of ill health; he died in September of
that year.
He was three times married, his third wife, the mother of
his children, being Harriet J. Paterson; she was born in Russell Co.,
Ky. a daughter of Jonathan Paterson whose history will be found on
another page of this volume. Dr. Leach was united to her in
marriage Dec 4, 1856 and to them 3 children were born, two of whom
survive; Warren and Lawrence W. The former married Molly McCreary
and they have 2 children, Mark and Nina. Junius F., the oldest
child was born March 21, 1858, and died Oct 9, 1887. Dr. Leach
was reared to the faith of the christian Church, to which he always
adheared. Politically he was identified with the Democratic
party, and served his country in the capacity of Treasurer; he was a
capable official and discharged his duties with a fidelity that won him
the confidence of the people regardless of party ties ... 1861 Militia Roll
