The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-25
OBITUARY..
CoNvERs o. LEACH.


Mr. Convers .. Leach died lin this city
yesterday at 10 O'Clock of pneumonia from
which he was sufferer for many days.
Mr. Ieach's family was an old Portland
one. His grandfather was John Leach.
a welt known citizen, and his father was
John Leach for many years sexton of the
Second Parish church and mariner in
business with his father. When his health
failed he went to Cuba to recuperate and
on his return yellow fever broke out on
the ship. Mr.. Leach took care of the sick
men, all of whom recovered. and finally
Mr.. Leach was taken down Just as the
vessel was coming into port and died.
Mr.. Convers Leach was born on Deer
street and attended Master Whitmore's
school. Then he went to Brunswick and
became clerk in a dry goods store in
that village. After some years service
as clerk he came to Portland and went
into the same line of business with Ed
ward Howe, and later with his brother
the late A. @. Leach. After some years
he retired from the firm and went into
business with his wifes father the late
r. S. Curtis of this city, in Baltimore
When the war broke out Mr.. Leach was
appointed by President Lincoln consul at
ST. Johns, N. f., where he did good SER
vice. After the war Mr. Leach returned
to Portland and went into the dry goods
business with Horace Parker, now of the
great dry goods firm of Fields, Letter &
Co. of Chicago, in Clapp's block. After
the dissolution Of the partnership Mr..
Leach was appointed a clerk in the Port
land post office and later transferred to
the railway mailsseryice under Mr.. JEFF
fords. For the past dozen years Mr..
Leach has been the city weigher and
gauger.
Mr.. Leach was prominent member OF
the Masonic order. He was identified
with Portland lodge No. ] for over 40
years, had been its secretary for a long
time and also worshipful master and had
also been high priest of Mr.. Vernon
Royal Arch chapter, and thrice illustri-
GUS master of the council. He was also
a member of Portland coJnmandery and
the Masonic relief. He was secretary of
the executive committee association. He
was one Of the Oldest members of the
Venerable Cunners and Propeller Asso-
citation and Secretary of the club for the
past 10 years.
Mr.. Leach was always deeply interested
in politics. He was Republican to the
backbone and was for several years secre-
tary Of the city committee. He never
accepted nomination for the city gov
eminent and never city office until the
one he filled at the time of his death. He
was also Ia member of the Second
Parish church, being its clerk at the time
of his death. He took great interest in
historical and genealogical matters and
was a member of the Maine Historical
Society and Sons of theAmerican Revolu
ton. He was clerk of the old Dirigo
Co. in the days of hand tubs and a mem
Der of the Veteran Firemen's association
Mr.. Leach married Miss Harriet e.
Curtis and leaves . wife and four chill
dren, Henry r., of the Maine Central
with Anderson, Adams & Co.and Arthur,
who is professor of manual training in
the Jacob Thomb Institute at Port De-
posit, Maryland, and Fl. Mabel, one of the
attendants in the public library, and also
sister Miss Eta M. Owen.
Mr.. Leach was man of sterling quail
ties and made many strong friends. He
has been useful man in every position
to which he was calleds and. will be a
great loss to this municipa lily.