William Leach
This subject is the second son of William B. and Mary (Monroe) Leach, of Virginia. On his mother's side, he is related to James Monroe, fifth president of the United States. His grandfather, Colonel William Monroe, after whom our subject was named, served with distinction in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Leach's father served in the war of 1812.
Our subject was born in Frederick County, Virginia, June 9, 1825, and at ten years of age came to Ohio with his father's family. They settled on what is now the land of O. W. Loofbourrow, near Mount Sterling. His father's family were Edgar B., William M., Sarah A., John 'N., George T., Henry C, Mary C, and Benjamin F.
Our subject was married, March 18, 1847, to Clarissa J., daughter of Adoniram and Roxana Bostwick, of Madison County. She was born July 29, 1827. Her father's children were Sally, Clarissa J., William, Caroline, Eliza Ann, Benjamin F. and Otho W. (twins), and Celesta.
They have had eight children born to them: Asher B., born August 31, 1848, died April 15, 1854; Adoniram B., born October 5, 1849, married Myrtle Parker, and lives in Kansas; Mary F., born November 26, 1851, married Cary Haines, and lives in Millville, Ohio; Finley, born October 27, 1854, died in infancy; Mabel G., born September 24, 1857, married William H. Peasly, January 29, 1874, died October 7, 1875; Thurman B., born July 9, 1861, died ,March 16, 1862; Viola, born May 23, 1872, died June 19,1872; Burl, born August 31, 1875, died in September, 1875.
Ralph Peasly son of W. H. and Mabel (Leach) Peasly, lives with his grandparents since his mother's death, which occurred when Ralph was but seven months old.
The Bostwicks were originally from Vermont. Adoniram, the father of Mrs. Leach, was one of the early settlers of this township, and settled near Yankeetown. He now lives in Pike County. His father, William Bostwick, came to Ohio, with a large family, in 1808, or 1810. His children were Adoniram, Sarah, Joseph, Frederick, WilHam, Lucy Ann, Oliver, and Adiey. Adoniram, Sarah, Oliver, and Adley, were long residents of this county.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County