Ralph was born 24 June 1890 to Watson Leach and Watson's second wife Edith Wood. His half brothers and sister included: Arthur, Charles, Harold, Homer, and Belva.

According to the 1900 Census, Ralph was 9 years old, going to school, and living in Porter, Delaware, Ohio with his parents, Watson and Edith Leach. Also living in the home are Charles, Harold, and Homer.

According to the Ohio Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Ralph married Olive Stinemates [Steinmetz] on 24 Jun 1913. The marriage place was Knox, Ohio He was 22 at the time.

Ralph's WWI Draft Registration Card (1917-1918) states he is married, living at 138 W High in Pickaway County, Ohio. He has a medium build, medium height, and has dark brown hair and dark blue eyes.

[Sometime about 1919, Olive and Ralph had a daughter, Marjorie J. Leach. ]

The 1920 census shows Ralph is 28. He is living in Circleville Ward 1, Pickaway, Ohio, married to Olive M. Leach, and is an automobile salesman. He is renting his home. A daughter, Marjorie J Leach is listed at age 0.

Below is a photograph found in an old trunk of Jane Webster (deceased). Jane was the daughter of Charles Albert Leach, Ralph's half brother. This photograph was Ralph's house which is under construction and almost completed, according to a note from Ralph.

Below is another photograph found in an old trunk of Jane Webster. It shows Ralph walking his dog.

On January 11, 1930, Ralph's wife, Olive Miri Leach died. She is buried in Centerburg Cemetery, Knox County, Ohio,

Photo below of the tombstones are courtesy of Kelton Slane and Find a Grave Website

The 1930 census shows Ralph is 39, married, renting his home, and an auto dealer in Circleville, Pickaway, Ohio. Others listed in the house are Louise A Pritchard 34 and Marjorie J Leach 11. [Louise A Pritchard was a servant and Marjorie J Leach was Ralph's daughter; It is curious that the census lists him as married; he is really a new widower.]

In 1932, Ralph sent a letter to sister Belva in the following envelope, which indicates he owned the Leach Motor Car Company, Dealers in Chrysler Motor Vehicles in Circleville, Ohio. In his letter, he sent her information about the Carl Reynard School of Rational Living in Newark, Ohio and a book that Carl Reynard had written about building health through nutrition. Ralph said he had just sent the money [$3.00] for the book and thought Belva might be interested in buying one too. Ralph signed his letter ..."In haste Bro, Ralph." [The letter was courtesy of Sharon Hinckley. Portions of the letter and its contents were paraphrased by the webmaster on September 5, 2022]

The 1940 census shows Ralph is 48, married, living on Northridge Road in Circleville, Pickaway, Ohio. He had attended four years of high school. His occupation is Garage Proprietor. He owns his home, worth $7000. His wife is 48 named Mayme. She is a stenographer and an unpaid family worker. [Mayme's full name was Mayme Wilson. It is unknown when Ralph married Mayme.]

His WWII Draft Registration Card, dated 1942, shows he is living in Circleville, Pickaway, Ohio. It lists his next of kin as Mayme Leach.

Ralph died in Centerburg, Ohio on 17 October 1956 and is buried at Centerburg Cemetery ] (Source of date of death and cemetery: www.findagrave.com)

Photos below of the tombstones are courtesy of Kelton Slane and Find a Grave Website

 

 

Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com