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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1957-05-01, Page 7TURNBERRY FLASHBACKS Perhaps no family Contributed more to the growth and develop- ment of Huron County and, Canada than did the ten 'scum cif Richard and Barha.ra Leech, who were liaa tives of Ireland, They came from Wexford. in 112 an before çn tering the district Mr, Leech serv- ed ae a cabinet maker In Brock- ville and When the Ala-American War broke out he volunteered and served his adopted country, * The eldest son Was Richard, who was born' atLanedOwne, March 30, • 1819: in .1.837, when 18, he was'eall- ed into active service in defence of his country, and eeaved in com- mand of Col. MeMullen along the ZOL .COMMANDER 411.911ESP 1,4111ES. . en .Leecliv Brothers Made Notable Family Group in Huron Projects ' REV. NATHANIEL LISECH pa. 'WINDILAY$11 QINT4110k), WEDNESDA*,,, *** nobant Lbtia such a pioneer become Taken ISM Winghaela Thais Bluevale Mr. Philip Thomas received a telegram on Wednesday that arm of his little boys, who was on a vieit to his grandfather's , was dead, The little fellow left honle only a few days ago, apparently in the best of oheeltha The windstorm cif the lath has leveled a great quantity of timber and the farmers will have to cut it for saw lags and wood this 'winter, The mills will no doubt have a greet deal snore stock than usual on that account. The tenders were opened for Linton's bridge, H. Jamieson of Fordwich was the lowest, 8655, and he was awarded the pontract, Mr. Joseph Pugh and Mrs. Ira Etcher have been laid up ;with la grippe. Mr, Joseph Leech is Way' ship- ping his lumber away thie week, SAULTS-In Bluevale on Jan- uary 2nd, the wife of Mr. B. Saults, a daughter. - 0 - 0 Zetbuid Mr. Myers, railroad inspector of Palmerston was at Mr, -George Thomson's last week shipping lumber. Mrs. G. and. Miss Hattie Thom- son returned home from Prince- ton last week, where they had been spending their Christmas holidays, Mr. and Mrs. Menagh left for their new home on Saturday. They purpose to locate in King- ston. Mr. G. Thomson went to Lon- don to hear Mr. Moody preach and he feels- well repaid for going. • Mr. Robert Currie, superintend- ent of the Sunday School received note from Gavin VVilson,. secre- tary of the school board, atying they had decided to allow noth- ing in the school except day school. Mr, Robert Taylor .left this place.,for Mr. Jas. Martin's mill, Howlett. He will be much missed among the fair sex. The school was Cloqed owing to the illness of the teacher, -Miss Walker. t. Mr. George Burk has rented his -*larva lOr period 'of .ftve-44ta, to Mr. Win. Kennedy. Mr. Burk and, fainily intend trying Uncle Sam's dominions. 0 - 0 - 0 Turnberry Our school meeting was held on Thursday last. Mr. Lewis was -the retiring. trustee and Mr.' Jas, Thompson was elected in his place. Mr. Wm. Carruthers left Sat- urday for Ayr, where he intends remaining for a' few weeks. ' Mr. J. Tenant of Listowel 'is 'visiting friends in the vicinity. Miss Ella Cornyn is, recovering from a severe illness. Miss Maud Leggett was visiting friends in W.hitechurch last week. Mr. and Mrs. Amos Tipling spent New Year's with friends in Clinton. Mr. T. Tipling of Clinton spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs, A. Tipling, ' Mrs. Robert Eadies returned home from Parkdale last week where She had been spending Christmas and New Year's, and al the same time attended the marriage of her eldest daughter, Miss Eliza Eadie. Miss Annie Benson of Cobourg is visiting het sister at present,- Mrs. Williain CruiekShank, Mr. A. G. IVIcDenald is home again from Bervie, where he has been employed' for some time. Mr, Wm. Johnsen is getting out timber for a large new barn, to be erected next summer. Johnny Johnson has returned home from Algoma and reports the lumber camps 'breaking up 'for want of snoW and hard times in consequence. 0 - 0 - 0 Zone commander Mrs. 14Ouella Rail of BlYth Wag the guest speak- er at the regular Meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Legion on - Wednesday night, president, Mrs, p, Cretliere, pre- sided over the meeting and opened 1840 With the usual ceremonies. SCOM, tary Mrs. T. Gauley read the min- utee of the last meeting and the roll call and correspondence. Treasurer, MVO, L. DaWeon" gave the repert Or the month, A motion 'was made and aceept- ed that' 125,90 be denated to the Canadian Legion and Ladles' Aux- iliary Scholarship Fund. Plans for the Invitation Euchre were cOM- pleted, also for the V,E,, Day ban- quet for the local branch on May 8th. Mrs. Hall gave a very interesting talk on the different kinds of "Faith" we Must have teday, in each other and in other Auxiliar- ies and the whole world. The zone rally will be held in Kincardine on May 9th and the bus will leave the Legion Home at 7.30 President Mrs. D. Crothers clos- ed the meeting with the national anthem and the group in charge served a light lunch. Dleatannait Mr. Tbrn Appleby has almost .cOnipletely recovered- from his recent gun accident, Mrs. Totten 8r5 who lived With her son Thomas On the 11th con., 'paid the debt Of nature en Wed, neaday laSt, The remains were interred in Wroxeter. Miss Annie Metcalfe, Who Lae been for a long time suffering from a .pultilenaty complaint, is rapidly recovering, Thera:, is •quite a beam in the expectation 'of a attire being stetted Which shows that Glee. Annan Is '00Miiig to the front, Ancletadia 'IS Visiting her Son Jarties at' CaVeteidlid. . Mr, Richard Wallace' Wee 'in. Toronto last Week attending the funeral Of his nephew, Arthur Wallace, he Misses 1VraiiSon Dorn Tuck- Crainith are 'visiting at Mr. Jainee Taken frinn,Witighinin Thrift' lei* neat threugh the ereetion of sever- al saw and grist mills, among them the Leech mild at Gorrie, He re. tired after 22 years in gorrie, a highly respected citizen. John Leech, the fourth son was born in the Township of Drum- mond,. September 6, 1825, He start- ed cheese factories in County .of Leeds, removing to Howick Town- ship 'in Huron abut 1874. The de- pression of 1878 1.;1,ped out his en- tire life's work and he proceeded to Ma,nitobe where he was able to regain his lost fortune. James Leech, J. P., was born neier Perth on July 14, 1827. He learned the carpenter and cabinet making trade arid after 27 years moved to Gorrie. It was he :who selected the site- where the Leech brothers were to become famous in Huron Coun- ty. He assumed control of the Leech grist mill at Gorrie and a second in Bluevale, He was promi- nent in all affairs and organized the first Sabbath school and the first Methodist class in the district. William Henry Leech;-J.P„ was the sixth of the sons and-was born in the ToWnshili et Augusta, March 20, 1829. He was a millwright and before coming to Huron built mills at Carleton Phtee and Almente. He organized the Leech company. He and his brother Joseph purchased the interests of the other brothers in 1862 in the Bluevale mill, selling his Gorrie Interests. He served for a year as coaneilicir but declined further election, Joseph Leech, the peyentha of the brothers Was born in Augusta on January 14, 1831,.and ,was a farmer before coming to Gorrie and be- coming involyed in the Leech in- terests. He was a steward of the Methodist 'Church and "for twelve years president of the North Hu- ron Conservative Assodatien. Nathaniel was also born in Au- gusta.. He Wee the 8th Leech,' hav- ing been born September 28, 1.832. He worked in Huron County at Gorrie for a, number of years and educated himself for the ministryi later becoming pastor of a cengre- gation at Rising City, Nevada. George Leeeli, the ninth son, born,,in Leeds County, WO had a varied career, Born September 4, 1839, he also turned to the ministry and in 1876 became minister of the Canada Methedist Church at New- tonvillei " Webster Weeley • Leech was the youngeSt, Like two of his brothers he joined the church and became l'stationed at the Wesleyan Metho- dist Church at Greenwood. Today the-Leech family still car- ries onan''Huron Couhty. Many of their descendants, were farmers and others are engaged in busi- ness. The Leech familY contributed a great deal towards the prosperity of the Buren 'rritct and to the Whole of Canada, Few families ean claim record as heating ten sons in individual lines' and all successful end respected. NAM.E.:t.0140TTEES- FOR --CENTENNIAL.. GLENANNAN—At a meeting recently held in OS. No. 3, Turn- berry, various committees were appointed to plan , for the Turn- berry Centennial, The following is a list of the committee members;, Programme!,.-Arnold Jeri ra y, Mrs. Win. Elliott, Miss Donna COupland, Mrs, 13; McPherson, John Rutherford. Ground8:--Iatiac al,etcalfe, Glenn Appleby, Olivet Stokes. Lunch:—Mre. I, Metcalfe, Mrs. R. Baird, Mr% .A, Lintoin, Mrs. F. Tuck, Mrs. A, Jeffrey, Parking-Do nald W al lace, Lerne Metcalfe, Mite Eadie, Float:--Brian Metcalfe, Mrs. John Rutherford, Mts. Glean Ap- pleby, Douglas IVIePhersoti, Mrs. Thotnas Stokes, Deeeratirigia.-Mrs, Mabelle Gold- rich, Mrs, Brian' Metcalfe, Nue, Marion Keller, Mrs', Walter Mc- Einfince;—Mra, Ldriie Metealfe, Mrs, Donald Wallace, ,iReuben Appleby, WeletiMings-aMt. and Mrs, Oh- vet Stokes, Rey Ittitherford, Wil- liam Cainikell, He5eateht4trii, Reuben Apple- by, Lance Lindell*, Mrs, David kiidit, Sant Mafishall, Ur& OliVer Stokes, Cheater' bUnhht, Roy' Rath- &ford; WilliaM irriatallon;—Mrs,Renben by, Mrs. David Eadie, • , RegiateatiOnr*-Dennti, Mettalfe, Julie Stokes; Nell *Odle. Bootht—letkion Gunge' Meteatfe, beheld Vedie Sally jef- 'DAY, th)tetn Mt#31Yhni: 11/4kPlaa' Uott- St. Lawrence River during the -.rea When, beter he took up a inerean- (de trade and became in thrie 'a farmer at Newbore, Robert Leech was the second son and wee been neat Perth, jentairY 19, 1820. He learned to 'be a cabinet TriaKet .and in the winter ef .1855, 1856 be elope to Gorrie - where be and his, brothers, Edward and James, who had, preceded him, phased a mill-site and bed both grist- and sawmills in operation by thesafollowing fall. Edward Leech, J,P., the third in point of 'age, was born near Perth, January 14, 1822 and when he was 18 commenced to learn the mill- wrights trade. He became ,premi- 'tatt,ma• ve • a Marathon Bridge Brings-Over $200 To conclude the season's mara- thon bridge parties, sponsored by the Ladies' Auxiliary to Wingham General Hospital, a final get to- gether was held in the council chamber on Friday evening. When the scores were totalled, it was found that the prizes for the afternoon play was won by Mrs. C. W. ,Lloyd with a count of 19,420 and Mrs. F. Fuller with 18,310, while honours for those who played in the evenings went to Miss Alice Heard, 18,360 and Mrs. George Howson, 17,000. The prize for Friday • evening play was won by Mrs. F. R. How- son' and a mystery parcel went to Mrs. W. Greer.' This project, which is carried on in the different homes for six months, brings more than 6200.00 to the Auxiliary funds. ADDRESSES NEEDED BY'4 COMMITTEE -- WROXETER Invitations to the Turnherry Township Centen- nial are being mailed this week, It is urgently requested that re- maining lists be turned in to the committee at once so that the invitations may reach their destin- ations as soon as possible. The committee is seeking the addresses for the following people, former residents of the Glenannan district; Mrs. Mark Lindsay (teacher); Mrs. Thomas Tees; the former Katie Taylor who lived on the Baird farm; Tom .Harkness; Mrs. Robert Wilson,. formerly Kate Anderson; Walter Heidrick. Will anyone knowing the ad- dresses for those mentioned above please contact the chairman of your school section invitations chairman? marriage of his daughter, Miss Winnie to Edwin Lucas, a pros- perous young farmer in the vicin- ity of" Belmore. Miss Lydia Wock is visiting her sister, Mrs. Gallagher this week. Miss Ida Chittick went to Tor- onto last week where she intends spending the winter. Mrs. Davidson of WroXeter is visiting her son, Gavin, who has been on the sick iist. Mr, Ab. McKee visited his sis- ter, Mrs, „T. Wylie last week. Married a/Janet-Breen—At the residence of the bride's father, Belmore, on June 27th, William Mines of Jamestown to Miss Annie Breen, * Wingham Scouts At ,Clinton Camp Three dozen Boy Scouts from the Blue Water area took part last week in a five-day course at Camp Chipewana on the Maitland River near Hohnesville. They are graduates of the Bronze Arrow- head course. After examinations they were awarded the Silver Ar- rowhead. The, Biqa Water 'district takes in the area stretching from north of London east of Stratford, west to the shores of Lake Huron and including the Bruce Peninsula. Assistant District Commissioner Jack Corless, (Centralia RCAF Station) was in charge of the camp, assisted by Field Commis- sioner Bob Taylor, Charles Middle- boro, and Quartermasters Sam Poxon, Scoutmaster of RCAF Sta- tion Clinton Troop, and Ross Col- lier, District Scout Master, also of Station Clinton;, Attending the course from Wing- ham were George Jones and Paul Bennett. Baptist Ladies Hear of .Missions The young women. of the Wing-, ham Baptist Church met at the hi:4041.er oir,apyit 25th for their Monthly missienety meeting. Mrs, Collar Was in charge and the meeting, opened With the singing of -the hymn "Tis the Promise of God Full Salvation to Give", and Mrs. f.".;. Hotchkiss led in prayer, After the reading of the minutes and the roll call it was announced that Mrs. K.. O. Getty had been invited to be the guest speaker at the May meeting, In an article read by Mrs, F. Collar each Individual present- was asked, "If ,everyone in -town were just like you in what. condition would this town be?" The article then asked "What is your answer?" The devotional period was taken by Mrs, R. Kilpatrick, who besed her remarks- on Amos 9. ' Mrs, G. Schelfele read a paper entitled "Arc You,. Worried and Afraid?" and Miss M. Stapleton and Mrs, B. McLean, led in prayer, 'closing the devotions.- A letter from Rev, and Mrs. Ron Patterson was read, telling of their experiences in the study Of the' Japanese language. Rev, :Patterson was interim pastor at the Baptist' Church during the summer of 1955 and he, with his wife and family, are now in japan as missionaries. The hynih -"Throw Out the Life- line" was Sung and Miss B. Collar read an article which told of the experiences. -of African Kikuyu Christians who refused to take the Mau Matt eatTa Mrs. fri. Cantelon teed about the experiences of a miAloildry in Africa who was fated with the task of killing a leopard that Was menacing the vil- lage in whieh he worked. Concluding the meeting Mrs, F. Collar reed a paper entitled "Be Found the Life That Wins", This paper told of the personal exper- iences of Dr. Charles Trumble, former editor of the Sunday School Times. Miss B. Cellar led in prayer. Lunch was served and a time of fellowship, enjoyed', Aitchison-Snowden *The marriage of Miss Mary B, Snowden, daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Allen Snowden,' of Maple Grove and Mr, John Pollock Aitch- ison see of Mr, Archie Aitchison Of West WaWanosit, and the late AlLeathion, was solemnized on Saturday, April 27th, at 2 p.m, at the nitieSe of the Curtis United Church, With Rev, 1, Silverthotite her sister, Margaret SnoWdeila and his brother, Robett Were the attendants. Thin reeeetitili for 45 guests Was held hi the..$uliaos School 'ratan Of Maple Grove United Church. 0:Ueda Were present from Bow" Mont/lie, OilhaWe and Pert Retie, Those f rein this'.distriet were Mr. Archie Aitehison and Jean, Robert and, Donna of West WS,WatiOS11, Mr, and Mrs, Jae, AitchiSeti, of Ingersoll, Mr, and Nits. Clifford' of BelgreVe George Er- ihrgtoii, of Dungannon, Mr, and Mrs, Wheat Batt*, Of LetknciW and Miss Oetii, bowling of White- 'church'. '1110 young Couple make their home at nitickstoelt, where the gebani lara4 Witnesses Will. Go To Mea ford • 'Whighana congregation of 'Je- hovah's witnesses haa accepted an invitelion te attend the three-daY training program arranged by the Watchtower Bible and Trect So- ciety in 1Vreaford memorial com- munity center this coming Week- end May 3-5. Many delegates from Wingham are expepted to swell the ranks of ,conventigners to • the anticipated number of 500, By Miss Ruby Duff :Joseph Leech, was the best- known of the Leech family around Bluevale, wheae. fie lived fon many years. Early ill the 70's he built a brick house with a long verandah end..baleoniee, on a, treat of land beve the mill On the Ou this ;property. he ;planted :many aipple and II:ult. t"rees, among 'them being yellow Cherry trees, Which were Very fine. It is , not known how many acres he owned originally, bilt as this. writer remembers there were six 'acres. The original Leech home, built in the early years of the past cen- tury, still stands attached to the brick parf and has three rooms on the second floor, Two of these are plastered and finished, the third, one Is tised for storage. The first floors consists 'of kitchen end pan- try. Only two families have occupied this, home since it was built. In 1904, R, N. Duff purchased the pro- perty from Mr. Leech and the Duff family still occupies at. In this home, Joseph Leech, a bachelor,, dispensed gracious hospi- tality. It was open house to his 'brothers and his nephews' and nieces, and , a lodging' place for many Methodist, ministers who came this way. .Hie housekeeper for many years, Annie Corbett, was as well ,known as Mr. Leech himself. Since those days •part of the property has been H. B. McKinney, mayor of Wingham owns a section of it, as RICILliti) LEECH ROBERT LEECH. • REV. W. W. LEECH 44' EDwAnD LIDECH Glenfarrow Misses M. and E, Irelend. of Teeswater and Mr. McDonald of Port Huron visited at the Rig- gin's home last week, Miss Langley visited Mr. Mc- Kersie's on Thursday. Dr, Ed Palmer Visited on the 6th on Sunday evening. Miss C, Milian, who was a successful student at the receet Part Junior Leaving, intends gbing to Harristorl H. S. nest. Week, Rev, Mr. West of Bluevale, concluded a Prayer , meeting at liiticboitgal'e on Sunday, Mrs, B. Henning and See, Eldin Osited on the '6th -on Sunday, -Mr. James Powel of Detroit is sPeeding his vacation under the parental roof. Messre. Jack Pitch and Herb nehning` are visiting in Kent County; Mr, Shn tiennini who has been employed as a, aerie le I), Mi GOrdert'a abate hag genie te TOP- elite Where ha hike eeetired a IYOSI' tlorie • Scouts from the Blu,ewater region attended a Silver Arrowhead Course at Camp Chipeware, on the Maitland River near Clinton for five days last week. Above, left to right are Wayne -Stanley, Bill Wild, abd, George Jackson, Clinton; Gecirge Jones, Wingham; Dale .Gattinger, Clinton; Paul Bennett, Wingliaan and Lewis Ling, Clinton With the boys Is the Camp Chief, Jack Corlees, of the RCAF Station, Centralia, 'assistant distript commissioner in the region. IMAM Ladies' Thursday lLeagu'e April 25 1, Mrs, H. Spry, 1617; 2. Mr, G. Cameron 1541; a. Mrs. C. Lott 1366; 4, Mei. D. Ilasmith, 1228; 5. Mrs. F. Madill, 4950. High doable, Mre. Spry, 15.1, ' Series acore, 1, Mrs. G, Cameron, 11,267; 2, Mrs_ H. Spry, 11,220. Consolation, Mr. P. "Nasinitifa team High double for the year, Mrs. C, Lott, 505; high single, Mrs. P. Madill, 292. „ does. A. .1)- Smith, postmaster of Bluevale.. Many _relics of 'bygone days were left behind- -by "Mr. Leech—candle- r/takers-, lanteras, old;inapa„ dishes, a silk hat, and other items. "Uncle 'Joe", .e.s Mr Leech. was. `affe'otionately ealleci, -was a tali, slender nui,n,.amootit shaven ,save for it'rftinge Wiltikeii'froni 'eat to ear and, below ::the chin. He lied '7 a long ,upper lip, and qiis face al- : ways,wore a benevolent :expression. his -retirement he 'lodged in Bluevale for a time, then moved away to Gorrie Where lie passed away in August 1911 and was buried in Gorrie cemetery. , Mr, Leech had his office in the north-west corner of his property, facing the highway but this Wag torn. down- some years ago, . Mr. Leech was azi Orangeman, .a devoted Methodist 'and a conser- vative in politics. He, held the Posi- tion of president of the North Hu- ron Conservative Association for twelve years. Tbe descendants of the -Leech family are many and they reside in 'all parts of Canada and the United States. There were approxia matelY forty in the aecofid .geuera- Lion and only two .survive, Ernest T. Leech' of Winnipeg;. son of John LeeCh, and of California, son of Wesley W. Leech. There are approximately forty living in the third generation and le the fourth the same, Mrs. R. L, Stewart, formerly of Wingham, and her sietere; Mra. Blips and Miss Lottie Cede ail of London, are granddaughters or Edward Leech. ifehnorn *ladies Clark luta purehased property iii garristori 'and Will aliertly leaVe here to live in that , 'A very 'enjoyable event, Wok plate at the' tealdellee Of .0, itaya , nerd nt Oro township on Seri, IOMbee 12, the detagiidn being 6-16 The teeidehee built by ..loseph Leh is now occupied by tile buff The abdve -picture shoWc the trent of the )lotble, While the lowea OhSia taken from the hack. The frame portion to the right of the WOO pittute is the original struettire, Only Two Families Have Pesided In Home Built by Joseph Leech