The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-01-15
Death of Charles y. Leech.

the announcement of the death of this
most excellent citizen. On New Years
day he left his home at Lexington, KY,
for business trip to Fort Morgan, Colo
RADIO, where he had thought of locating
Having been somewhat indisposed for
some time previous he was doubtless in
no condition physically to Withstand so
long journey, and after reaching the end
of his trip was obliged to call in a physi-
clan, who discovered symptoms of a
threatened attack oftyphoid fever. Fear
ing such might be the case Mr.. Leech
went on to Denver and ent red st. An
thongs hospital, reaching there on the
7th of the month. On the ninth his fam
lily was apprised by telegram that he was
very seriously ill. H wife and son
started Immediately for Denver, and
when they reached Kansas City, Mo-,
Jan. llth, were shocked by telegram
announcing his death. What his real
ailment was is not known by his friends
here at this writing.
Charles Sumner Leech, was the eldest
son of John and Susan NJ. (Everhart)
Leech, and was born in Washington
township, Clarion County, Pa, March 90
1857. When the subject of this sketch
was but six years of age his father died,
leaving the devoted young mother with
the care of five small children, the young
est mere babe. Charles fast developed
into steady, true-hearted, ambitious
young lad, and was early a student at
Carrier Seminary at Clarion, where, at
the age of IS years he began the service of
an apprenticeship in a printing Office.
His steady, manly habits, formed very
early in life, and the careful training of
good mother, were never departed from,
large at best, he devoted most to the use
of his mother and the family. After four
years spent at the printing trade he en-
barked in mercantile pursuits at Lick
ingville for some time, and then engaged
in the oil business as a contractor, and
for time was located in York State. In
| 1884 he moved to Marienville, where for
fifteen years he was extensively engaged
came one of the most progressive citizens
of that fast growing and busy little city,
having, perhaps, as much if not more to
do with the upbuilding and progress of
the place than any other citizen. He was
the first to build large business block
and erect pleasant home there, having
faith in the town and its future. In all
that made for the moral progress and up
lift of its people he was first and foremost,
fearless in urging his conception of right,
so that when any movement for the bet
terment of the community was proposed
he was generally selected as the leader.
AS member of the board of trustees of
the Presbyterian church of Marienville
for many years Mr.. Leech faithfully dis
charged his duties and did very much TO
extend the church's influence for good
toward all mankind. The Christian
church always found in him a worthy and
influential advocate and supporter. No
enterprise that had for its aim the i'm
provement of the conditions of his COM
munity, either morally or financially,
ever lacked his earnest and energetic
support. 1t was he who organized and
carried through to successful completion
the county telephone system which we
now enjoy.
Disposing of his interests in Marienville
in 1899 he invested in a fruit plantation
in Porto Rico, where he lived for short
time with his family, but returned soon
to take up numbering again, locating at
Hartman, Tenn, and after about four
years residence there went to Kentucky
and engaged in coal mining pursuits.
Although quite successful in this under
taking the hazardous nature of the busi-
ness was too great for him, and he dis
posed of his interests to good advantage.
A business opening at Fort Morgan hav-
ing tempted him to investigate its adyan-
tsges he had gone there, to be overtaken
with fatal illness.
In all his various business dealings the
honor and integrity of Charles Leech
were never for a moment questioned
He was patient, kind and generous al
most to fault. AS boy and young
man he was gentle and loving toward his
mother, counseling her in all his affairs
and never in all lis life crossing her will
in the least particular. In his domestic
life he was the most devoted husband and
father, ready at all times to make any
sacrifice for the comfort and happiness of
his wife and children, whose loss in his
death is tremendous.
In 1877 Mr.. Leech was united in mar
risge with Miss Kittie B. Smulien, of
Putneyville, Armstrong county, Pa. To
this union five children were born, three
of whom, Edna, Frank and Reba, with
the widow, survive. Also surviving are
his mother, Mrs. S. NJ. Whitehill, and j,
f. Leech, half brother, at Marienville;
Scot T.. Leech, brother at Cameron, w.
Va; one sister, Mrs. J. Il. Wenk of Tio-
nests; Clyde Il. Whitehill, half brother,
at Muncie, Indiana. Not these alone but
the whole community as well are shock ed
by this sudden and unexpected death, for
no man stood higher in the estimation of
his acqusintances, business associates and
friends than Mr.. Leech, and the loss is
deeply felt wherever he was known.
Surely the world is better because such
men haye lived in it,
The body is expected to arrive at Mar
ienville tomorrow, Thursday, aud the