Thursday, July 09, 2009

David C. Leach

David C. Leach was born on March 7, 1831, in New Hampshire, the son of Ira (1791-1841) and Aseneth (Crowell, 1800-1867).

Ira was probably living in Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire in 1820 and in Windham, Rockingham County in 1830. He brought his family to Michigan in 1835, settling in Jackson County, near Concord, and he eventually moved to Carlton, Barry County in 1837. His family joined him in Barry County in 1839 or 1840, after he had cut a road to his farm and built a cabin.

David married Francis A. Sage (1842-1916) in 1856, and they had at least six children: Major Floris, Colonel M., Captain P. David E., Mrs. Lottie Cunningham (1862-1918) and Mrs. Clara Lamson.

In 1860 David was probably the same David Leach who was working as a cook in Jackson’s Fourth Ward, Jackson County, and was in prison on a charge of passing counterfeit money.

In any case, David stood 5’11” with blue eyes, dark hair and a light complexion and was 33 years old and probably working as a farmer in Barry, Barry County, when he enlisted in Company E on January 27, 1864, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, crediting Barry, and was mustered January 28. He joined the Regiment on March 29, was transferred to Company E, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864, and mustered out on July 5, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana.

After the war David eventually returned to Michigan, settling for a time in Hastings, Barry County. By the mid-1880s he had settled in Grand Rapids, and was reportedly residing in that city in 1888 and 1890. He was living in Grand Rapids in the mid-1880s when he testified in the pension claim of George Bellows, who had also served in Company E. David resided at 59 Jefferson Street from 1906 through 1911 and was living at 519 Lexington in 1914.

In 1890 he applied for and received a pension (no. 533196), drawing $20 per month by 1914.

He was a member of the Old Third Michigan Infantry Association and a member of Grand Army of the Republic Custer post no. 5 in Grand Rapids for 26 years.

David died of “senility” on Wednesday morning, April 8, 1914, at his home at 519 Lexington Avenue, Grand Rapids, and the funeral was held at the residence at 2:00 p.m. on Friday April 10. He was buried in Fairplains cemetery: section C lot 38.

In late April of 1914 his widow applied for and received a pension (no. 785769).

4 comments:

Kay Wood-Brown said...

David C. Leach was my Great-Great Grandfather. He was the father of Major Floris Leach who was my Great Grandfather. Major Floris Leach was the father of Vera Leach who was the mother of my father Barry K. Wood. My name is Kay Wood - Brown.

Thank you for this blog entry. I live just a few miles from where my Great Great Grandfather David C. Leach is buried at Fairplains Cemetery along with his 'adopted' daughter Lottie. My uncle Floris William Wood has a photo of David C. Leach and my dad looks so much like him :-)

Kay Wood-Brown

Steve Soper said...

Hi Kay, thanks for the update on David. By any chance would it be possible to get a high-resolution copy of David's photo? If so just go to the right hand side bar and under "My Projects" you'll find a link to my 3rd Michigan web site and you can contact me through there. Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Soper, I have a great photo of David Leach and one of his wife Frances A. Sage. My 2nd great grandfather was Frances' brother. I would gladly share my photos with you. The reason that I stumbled upon your site is another member of the 3rd Michigan, Charles Scaddin. His sister Martha was my 3rd great grandmother on another of my maternal grandfather's side of the family. (The Sage/Leach line is on my maternal grandmother's line.)
Thank you for all that you have done in putting this site and your lovely book together. I know how much time it takes to do such work. I have been a genealogist for over 41 years.
The offer of the photos for the Leach family stands. I wish I had a photo of Charles Scaddin or any of his family but I don't. My name is Kathy Simkins and my e-mail is ksfsimkins@scinternet.net. If your e-mail bounces back, please try again. I have a very active inbox. I teach and share genealogy so I am always checking my e-mail.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Soper, Thanks for your work on the 3rd Michigan. If you are still looking for a photo of David Leach I will share. His wife was the sister of my 2nd great grandfather. The reason that I found your site was due to another member of the 3rd Michigan... Charles Scaddin. His sister Martha was my 3rd great grandmother on the other side of my mother's family. I wish I had a photo of him. I realize what a big job it is to assemble all the info that you have gathered. Thanks for all of your efforts. If you need that photo my name is Kathy Simkins and my e-mail is ksfsimkins@scinternet.net. If your e-mail bounces back please try again. I teach genealogy and I share a lot of info so my inbox fills up quickly. Thanks again!