This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ue.2ADI/1327.2.2.1 Message Board Post: I guess I did not state it right before. What I meant was that this was the only Leach family in Crawford county that had a 1 year old son. Reuben Leach, farmer, P. O. Oblong. Mr. Leach is one of Crawford County's old pioneers, that has endured hardships, battled with the Indians, hunted deer, and at the same time enjoyed himself as well or better than any of us do at this present day and age of the world. He was born in Lincoln County, Ky., September 17, 1807, and was reared there on his father's farm. In 1830, he emigrated (when 23 years of age) to Montgomery County, but did not remain there but two months, at which time he came to Crawford County, Ill., and after remaining here awhile settled down to farming. In 1831, he purchased a farm of 200 acres three-fourths of a mile north of Oblong, and successfully engaged in farming until 1870, at which time he was chosen by the people of Crawford County to fill the responsible and important office as Sheriff of the county, and served one term of two years, after which he retired to Oblong, where he is now comfortably taken care of in his old days. Mr. Leach ha! s always been a Democrat, and besides the honorable position as Sheriff which he has held, he has served in various township offices, as Constable at different times for fifteen years in all, as Justice of the Peace three years. He chose a partner to battle with him through this vale of tears, July 15, 1834. Her name was Amelia Steward. They lived together happily until July 30, 1854, at which time it pleased the Almighty to take her home to rest. His fancy was awakened when afterward he met one Lydia Bowman, a native of Perry County, Ohio, and they were united March 30, 1856. His children are, namely: Polly, wife of Jacob Noble, living in Kansas, David S.; Jane, wife of Rev. William P. Hart, living in Morgan County, Ill.; Alfred C. and John A. are living in Kansas; Alice Ella, wife of Robert Wood, living in Oblong Township. Subject's father, Mathew Leach, and his mother, Polly (Gullet), were natives of Virginia, and were the parents of eight chichen, namely: William! (deceased), Reuben (subject), Mathew, Davidson, Jane and Susan are de ceased. Phoebe, living in Lincoln County, Ky.; Christina, wife of James Eoff, living in Oblong. Source: "History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois"; William Henry Perrin; pub. 1883; pg. II-348.