Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1920-11-19
COL. WIN. LECKIE
PASSES AWAY
Leading Coal Operator of Flat
Top Field, and Man Whose
Place. in Business World
Will Be Hard to Fill.

Graham, Va, Nov. 17.-Col. Will
liam Leckie, one of the best known
men in this Section, died at Bluefield
yesterday morning. He had been n
sufferer for years to some extent
with miners asthma, and recently
had been away in the East consulting
a specialist in the hope of getting re-
lief. The asthma had tendency, of
course, to weaken the heart action.
Col. Leckie was born in Scotland
about 62 years ago, and came with
his wife in early manhood to Amer
lea, locating in Pennsylvania, where
he took up mining rs study and
practice. In the year 1904 he came
to Pacahontas with his family, as
superintendent and general manager
of the then Pocahontas Collieries
Company. He held this position to
the satisfaction of company and en-
ployees for several years and until
he decided to embark in the coal bus
mess for himself, which he did by
forming the Jed Coal and Coke Co.
moving with his family to Jed. Short
ly afterwards he formed the Leckic
Coal Company near Anawalt. Still
later he organized the Lathrop Coal
Co., and gradually acquired and de-
veloped other coal properties until
he became one of the leaders in tho
development of this geat coal field.
He is also interested in many other
enterprises, being among other things
a director in the Blueficld National
Bank and the principal owner of tho
Bluestone Mattress and Pillow Co.,
and the Graham Manufacturing Cor
poration, of Graham, Va.
Col. Leckie has been man who
knew human nature and how to deal
with men. His mines have been sue
cessful and it is due in large part
to his genial nature and his knowl-
edge Of the ways of employees and
how to get along with them. He
was n Mason, having taken all the
degrees in the York rite branch, and
was an active and enthusiastic mem
ber. He was also very active
churchman, being q prominent lay
man in the Presbyterian church. He
attended session of the General As
sembly a few years since and imme-
diately impressed the assembly with
his earnestness of purpose and force
in expressing his views. He had diff
ficulty in expressing himself clearly
in speaking, but this did not deter
his energy and effort to overcome.
His earnestness and conviction al
ways compelled hearing, no mntter
what he was discussing.
He has been great lover of home
and family. He leaves q devoted
companion, who has been loyal and
wise helper at all times. He also
leaves three sons, William, Andrew
and Douglass. Two daughters, Mrs.
S. j. Kell, Of Bluefield, and Mrs.
Moore, of Huntington. About two
weeks ago Col Leckie and family
moved to Bluefield from Welch, and
having built handsome residence
there it seems humanity speaking n
pity that he was permitted to enjoy
it but short time, although his pre-
vious homes have been all that one
could wish for in comfort and con-
venience But "Our Heavenly home
is bright and fair" s,ld he has gone
on to that better home. His funeral
was held Mt the First Presbyterian
church in Bluefield Thursday and was
conducted by Rev. Samuel w. Moore,
his pastor.
as a business mand and as n leader
in which he has lived his record
stands to brighten and to bless"
Many are the friends who mourn his
departure. His place can scarcely be
filled. But that he is among the hap
Ply mortals those of us who have
known him and been intimately asso-
ciated with him through the years
believe. Peace to his ash
L.
ones. j. M. N.