Uncle Joe Leach has gone to his reward.
Joe passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Holmes at about 9:45 Friday evening after an illness that had continued over a long period. He gradually grew weaker and weaker and finally breathed his last.
He was one of the best known characters in Defiance and a real specimen of the old time southern plantation colored. Everybody knew Joe and everybody liked him. He had a kind word for everyone and was a philosopher in in a way. He was a hard worker and during his residence in Defiance worked as a general laborer.
Joe was born in McCullogh North Carolina. His exact age is not known. He always remarked that he was sixty but it is thought he was in the eighties. His mother and father preceded him in death. He was married twice and both wives preceded him in death. He had a brother, Thad Leach, living at McCullogh N.C. and other distant relatives.
Joe came to Defiance in 1867 with Col William Irving of the 38th O.V.I., who was a resident of Defiance at that time. Joe was born a slave. His last master's name was Leach and that is how Joe was given his name. During the war (Civil War) he got into the union lines. He took a liking to Col Irving and came to Defiance with him as a body servant. At that time he was about 25 years of age Col Irving bought property and left. Defiance and Joe worked about town. He used to send his mother presents and in about 1896 made a visit to the old home in the south. He found that all of his old friends had died or moved away and he left alone in the world. He returned to Defiance where everybody was his friend and has lived here ever since with the exception of a short stay in Michigan.
For the past year he has been steadily failing in health and has been well cared for at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes.
The funeral occurred this afternoon from the Holmes residence on Perry street. Dr. B.W. Slagle officiating. The body was laid to rest in Riverside.
Joe was born in McCullogh North Carolina. His exact age is not known. He always remarked that he was sixty but it is thought he was in the eighties. His mother and father preceded him in death. He was married twice and both wives preceded him in death. He had a brother, Thad Leach, living at McCullogh N.C. and other distant relatives.
Joe came to Defiance in 1867 with Col William Irving of the 38th O.V.I., who was a resident of Defiance at that time. Joe was born a slave. His last master's name was Leach and that is how Joe was given his name. During the war (Civil War) he got into the union lines. He took a liking to Col Irving and came to Defiance with him as a body servant. At that time he was about 25 years of age Col Irving bought property and left. Defiance and Joe worked about town. He used to send his mother presents and in about 1896 made a visit to the old home in the south. He found that all of his old friends had died or moved away and he left alone in the world. He returned to Defiance where everybody was his friend and has lived here ever since with the exception of a short stay in Michigan.
For the past year he has been steadily failing in health and has been well cared for at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes.
The funeral occurred this afternoon from the Holmes residence on Perry street. Dr. B.W. Slagle officiating. The body was laid to rest in Riverside.
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