After a valiant struggle lasting over several week, William Leach, finally succumbed to the ravages of typhoid fever as noted briefly in the last week issue.

The community was indeed shocked at the passing of this young man who was just in the prime of life and the prospects of whom for usefulness were of the brightest kind.

Mr. Leach was a thrifty, industrious farmer who resided with his parents on the home place about two miles east of town, and the expectation was that in the very near future he was to assume charge of the farm while the parents retired and took up their residence in town.

He was noted for his devotion to his parents and in many ways left an example of filial devotion which it were well for any young man to emulate. He was identified with several organizations, among which were the Masonic Fraternity and the Jordan Commandery of the Knights Templar of Blair, his membership in the Masons was held in John S Bowen Lodge of Kennard.

The funeral services were held in Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on Friday September 1. Rev. Dr. Hiller had charge and took for his lesson, 2 Chron. 6, 32 – 33 in which Solomon, at the dedication of the Temple prayed not only for God’s blessing upon the Temple but upon the stranger within it, and drew the lesson of the crowning glory of hospitality and brotherhood.

After the services at the church, the interment was made at Kennard Cemetery where the body was laid away with the solemn and impressive Masonic Ceremony.

Deceased was born in Cropsy, Illinois, June 10, 1876 and died at his home east of Kennard, August 31, 1911.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~