New-York tribune., 1900-05-02
EDWARD O. LEECH DEAD.
WELL KNOWN BANKER EXPIRES AT
MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL.

Edward o. Leech, a vice-president of the National
Bank of Commerce. died about o'clock last
night at Mount Sinai Hospital He taken to
the hospital April y and underwent opera
tion for appendicitis complication of diseases
developed after the operation. and this caused his
death
Edward Owen Leech was UneaI descendant of
Lawrence Leach who born in England in 1888
and died in Salem, Mass. in 1862. This ancestor Of
Mr. Leeeh was one of the planters who came to
America with the Rev. Francis Higginson in 1879.
and was man of considerable repute in his native
ta,II Ia yard o. l-eeeh great lhsr Was
Indian and Revolutionary His father was
sau n T. in $50 and was for U over thirty Years
trusted Government official IN the Postoftce and
ments enabled him TO render exceptionally valua
Edward o. Leech was born in Washington. D. 9,
on December g. 1851. and was only thirty-elg
M BEEN @ h Ra9 %ho o ev
filed that office His education was received at the
he was graduatsd in iSSg with second honors in his
class When his father died in 1853, young Leech
appointed q clerk in the Bureau Of Statistics
in the Treasury Department. When the Bureau Of
the Mint was organized in April 1875 DR. DR. f. r
l-lhdermSn the ntst DrectoF. selected MI I-et{h
places of assay clerk, adjuster of accounts and
computer OF oulh9n IN the Bureau OF me Mint ne
tonal Law University at Washington, and was
sTafq4'ed s5ady in 1856 after three years course
MI. Leech did not attempt to practise law. put
he became the Director few months after the
Harrison Administration came into office, in 1888
He took special charge OF the technical bullion and
coin accounts. For many years he had the direc-
published in the reports of the Director OF the
Mint, statistics which eagerly looked for by
economists and public men in the United states
and in Europe Mr.. Leech enjoyed the reputation
of being of the best informed men in the coun-
try the monetary systems, past and present, Of
the different countries of the world, and on mon
etary and precious metals statistics generally.
In 1891 Mr.. I.eech attended the international
Monetary Conference Brussels in the capacity
of monetary expert of the United States Govern
ment- In May. 1893. Mr. Leech resigned the Direc-
vice-president of the newly organized National
Union Bank of this city, which began business on
June of that year under the presidency of Joseph
G Hendrix. He remained with the National Union
soldation recently with the National Bank Of Com
merce. under the name of the latter bank. he was
elected second vtce-president OF the consolidated
institution.
many years. and wrote many articles financial
topics for the press and the maga zines. His Opin-
ions were much sought after both here and abroad
he was always a Republican, although he never
International birne asm for many years until ---
coming convinced that il impTactCa BILE. he
became firm believer in the gold standard.
In ISL Mr.. LeeCh married Miss Celia Helen Kent,
OF PittSburS. who died 1883 He leaves three
children-MiSs Eliza NJ. and Miss c. Helen Leech
and Edward X LeeCh. assistant melter and re-
finer in the United States Mint at Philadelphia.
Nr. LeeCh a member Of the Union League
youth. and was pitcher for the old Olympics. of
Washington. He always retained his love for the
game and was also enthusiastic billiard player
He had faculty for making friends. and had a
the day. His home in this city was the Hotel
San Reno.