 #6.
Hazel Kirk Thatcher (Married: Charles Albert Leach (#5),
27 April 1908 in Columbus, Ohio at the home of Hazel's aunt, Jennie Hayes (Rice) Wannamaker.
Born: 24 January 1885 of John M. Thatcher (#11) & Mattie Steely Rice (Martha) (#12) at Kingston, Ohio. Photos of John M. Thatcher (# 11) and Mattie Steely Rice (#12) are shown below.
 
Died: 22 March 1961; she is buried
beside Charles Albert Leach at Union Cemetery
in Columbus, Ohio.
[Her only sibling:
a) Russell Rice Thatcher:
(Married 1st: Jennette (Jeanette) Orlean Glaser on unknown date. Married 2nd: Bernice Reeder on 14 February 1938 in Cook, Illinois...Source: Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960.). Born: 12 February 1886 at Kingston, Ohio. Died: 14 April
1957, buried Chicago, Illinois]. In addition to the two photographs below that show Russell, additional photographs and information about Russell can be seen by clicking here.
Left and Below: Russell
(Hazel’s brother) and Hazel. The ring below was given to Hazel later
in life by her brother and now belongs to her granddaughter, Susan Leach Snyder.
Below: Hazel at right with Fred Renick (her cousin), Russell Thatcher (her brother) (sitting), and Pug (the Thatcher dog).This photograph was found in an old trunk that had belonged to Jane Leach Webster.
 Pug Thatcher Dog.gif)
Miscellaneous Information:
About 1900, Hazel's mother had consumption [Note: today this disease is known as tuberculous]. Hazel was about 15 years old when her mother's illness began. These years must have been very difficult for Hazel and her brother.
Education: Hazel graduated from Everts
High School in Circleville, Ohio on 4 June 1903.
Below: Hazel as a high school senior. The first image was found in a trunk that had belonged to her youngest daughter, Jane Leach Webster. The second image was in the possession of Russell, Hazel's youngest son.
 
Below: Hazel's graduating class. The circled head is Hazel.
The two articles below were found in the old trunk that had belonged to Jane Leach Webster.
The first article refers to her graduating class as "Naughty-Three" (ie. 1903).
The article below "talks" about the May 1903 graduation and the commencement exercise. Each student had a presentation to make. Hazel's topic was "The History of A Piece of Chalk." Hazel's photo is marked with a check mark.
Hazel's mother died December 3, 1904 of consumption when Hazel was only 19 years old. When that happened, Hazel went to live with her Aunt Jennie Wannmaker (her mother's sister). Hazel's father died just 4 years later, making Hazel and her brother orphans.
In the fall of 1905, Charles Leach, an Ohio State law student
was asked by a classmate to go calling on a North Side girl and her
friend, a visitor from Circleville, Hazel Thatcher. While Hazel visited
there, Charles took her out several times and when she returned home,
she wrote to him and they began corresponding. They continued corresponding
for the next few years and occasionally Charles went to Circleville
to see Hazel. Once in a while she went to Columbus and he’d escort
her to a student dance. Eventually, Hazel moved to Columbus.
The news article below that was found in the trunk of Jane Leach Webster confirms how Hazel met Charles.
 According to Jane Webster
in an interview in 2005, prior to marrying Charles, Hazel was working
for a manufacturer (M.C. Lilley Company ....later called Lilley-Ames
Company in 1933), who made uniforms near where Aquinas High School in
Columbus, Ohio is today. While she was working there, she was living
with her Aunt Jennie (her mother’s sister). Hazel was making less
than $10 per week and paid money to her aunt for her living expenses.
On April 27, 1908 Hazel and Charles married at Aunt
Jennies' home. They would later have four children.
The 1910 United States Census lists Charles as a City Solicitor Assistant. He and Hazel are living at 959 East Mound Street. They are renting the house. Hazel and Charles have been married 2 years.
Their first child, Dorothy Ann Leach, was born at their Mound Street home on April 3, 1910. Robert Edmund Leach was born on December 18, 1911. He was likely also born at the Mound Street home. Sometime before December 1919, the family moved to 353 Monroe Avenue. Jane Carol Leach was born on December 18, 1919 at their Monroe Avenue home.
The 1920 United States Census list Charles as an Attorney in the Office of City Attorney. He and Hazel are renting a house at 353 Monroe Avenue. They have three children: Dorothy, Robert, and Jane.
Below are eight photographs of Hazel found in the old trunk that had belonged to Jane Webster.
Below: Hazel (middle person)
Below: Hazel (at left)
Left to Right: Hazel, (probably two cousins that are children of Aunt Jennie Wanamaker), and Aunt Jennie Wanamaker.
Below: Hazel (Second from Left) and her Aunt Jennie Rice Wanamaker (Middle). According to an e-mail received from Cynthia Bowe (Great Granddaughter of Emma Rice Renick...Emma was another of Hazel's mother's sisters), the woman on the far right is Cynthia's Great Aunt Ruth Renick Gregory, sister to Fred (Cynthia's grandfather). Ruth Renick and Fred Renick were Emma May Rice and Henry Renick's children.
Below: Hazel at far left, Charles at far right, Aunt Jennie Wanamaker standing next to Charles.
Below: Dorothy Leach (top row, second from left), Aunt Jennie Wanamaker (top row, third from left), Hazel (kneeling with Baby Russell). Others in the photograph include Sarah Wanamaker and Lulu Wanamaker. This photograph is circa 1922/23 based on Russell's age. He was born on August 1, 1922 at Hazel and Charles' Monroe Avenue home.
Below: Jennie Wanamaker, Hazel, Sarah and Lulu Wanamaker, and Baby Russell. (Circa 1922)
Also found in Jane Leach Webster's old trunk was the beautiful birthday card below, complete with fringe and tassels that is shown below: The Top Image shows the outside folded part. The front states: "All Happiness on your Birthday." The back states, "Many happy returns of the day." The Bottom Image shows the inside message: The left side: "Happy may thy birthday be." The right side: "Bright be this day and prosperous the years." The card is not signed.
The 1930 Census shows that Charles Leach was living at 901 Lockbourne Road, owned his $7000 home, and was a judge. He was 49 years old; Hazel was 45. Their four children were Dorothy (20), Robert (18), Jane (10), and Russell (7). [See 1930 US Federal Census]
Below: 901 Lockbourne Rd., Columbus, Ohio.
Circa 1937/38, the Leach family moved from Lockbourne Rd in Columbus, Ohio to 2321 Bexley Park in Bexley Ohio. [Note: Both Russell and Jane were attending Bexley High School in 1938]. The next three photographs of the Bexley Park House were found in the old trunk that had belonged to Jane Leach Webster. The first image shows fall, the second and third show the winter.
Memberships: Hazel belonged to Ohio State University
Mother’s Club (President in 1942), Centerburg Women’s Club,
Y.M.C.A Group, Women’s Luncheon Club, life member of Virginia
Wright Mothers Guild, Bexley Women’s Club, Altrurian Club (one
of the oldest and largest women’s welfare groups in Columbus),
Ladies Oriental Shrine Thea Court No. 5, the National Federation of
Republican Women, and the Women’s Republican Club of Ohio.
Below: These next four photographs
are from newspaper articles found among the possessions of Hazel's son, Russell. 1: Hazel at far left, 2: Hazel at right, 3: Hazel is third from left, 4: Hazel is second from left.
 
 
Below: This newspaper article was found in the old trunk that had belonged to Jane Leach Webster. The event is unknown.
Below: A letter written to the daughter of one of her friends from the Woman's Luncheon Club demonstrates Hazels' love for both her deceased friend and the club. The letter indicates that Hazel was having health problems when she wrote the letter, and she was not sure she would be able to attend the club meetings again. [Note Hazel's very neat handwriting and signature.]
Hobbies: Hazel enjoyed sewing. She made aprons for
Virginia Wright Guild, most of her daughter Jane’s clothes when
Jane was young, and doll clothes for her granddaughter Susan’s
doll. Hazel loved to bake and she was known for her angel food cake
and red devil’s food cake. Hazel would go miles to find fresh
vegetables and fruits at various markets. She loved her Chambers range. It came
with the first broiler she ever had to cook with.
Below Left: Hazel’s White Rotary Sewing Machine. Right: One
of Hazel’s many pin cushions.
 
Below: Two of the many aprons
crafted by Hazel, and Susan’s doll wearing a corduroy coat and
hat with buttons and felt flowers, designed and sewn by Hazel.
 
Below: Two of Hazel's favorite recipes are listed:
Bread Pudding
3 eggs
1 pint milk
1/2 cup sugar
4-5 slices bread
nutmeg to taste
vanilla 1 teas.
raisins (optional)
Beat eggs until light and fluffy, add sugar and milk. Add bread broken
in small pieces. Mix vanilla & nutmeg to mixture & raisins.
Bake in Pyrex casserole for about 1 hour at 375° oven. Serve warm
or cold with milk or cream. Can be mixed in baking dish.
|
Dumplings (with Chicken, Stew, or Ham & Beans)
1 egg beaten
2 T milk
1/2 cup flour plus 1 T
1/2 teas. salt
1 teas. baking powder
Mix dry ingredients together in small bowl. Beat egg and milk together
and add to dry ingred. Drop by teasp fulls into boiling broth and cover.
Cook over low heat for 12 to 15 minutes without removing cover.
|
Below: Hazel posed for
a family portrait with her children, Robert (Bob), Dorothy, Russell,
and Jane and husband Charles.
Below: Susan Leach Snyder,
Hazel’s granddaughter, has several pieces of furniture and an oil painting
that Hazel had in her home. The painting is by Charles Ames Aldrich,
a painter from Chicago.
 
 
The 1930 Census shows that Hazel and Charles were living at 901 Lockbourne Road and owned their $7000 home. Charles was a judge. He was 49 years old; she was 45. Their four children were Dorothy (20), Robert (18), Jane (10), and Russell (7). [See 1930 US Federal Census]
Below: Hazel in various
stages of her life.
The first two photographs were found among the belongings of Hazel's son, Russell.
 
Below: The next six photographs of Hazel were found in the old trunk that had belonged to Jane Leach Webster.
 
 
Below Left: Hazel is holding her first grandchild, Steven Webster. (1943)
 
Below: Susan Leach (Hazel’s
granddaughter), Marie Leach (Hazel's son Robert’s wife) and Hazel
are examining spools of thread. (This photograph was found among Russell's possessions.
Below are five photographs found in the old trunk of Jane Webster of Hazel and Charles.
Hazel is in the front row at far left; Only the top of Charles' head shows in the third row center of the photograph.
Hazel is at far right in the first row; Charles is at far right in the second row.
Charles is second from the left in the front row; Hazel is in the center of the front row.
Hazel is at far right.
Hazel is standing on top of a mountain. The circumstances of this photograph are unknown.
Below are three photographs found in the possessions of Russell that show Hazel and Charles.
Below: Hazel, Charles, and Dorothy attended the wedding of Russell to Helen Sharpe in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1945. They are standing in front of the Sharpe home.
Below: Hazel is standing next to Charles, holding the youngest grandchild she will know... Terry Leach. Her oldest grandchildren Steve Webster and Susan Leach stand at her side. Her youngest grandchild (Ann Leach) was not born until 1963 (2 years after Hazel's death).
Hazel became a widow on August 15, 1950 when Charles
died of a heart attack. Her daughter Dorothy continued living with her
until Hazel’s death. Hazel had very poor circulation in her legs
and near the end of her life, she spent much of her time in bed.
Hazel was admitted to St. Anthony Hospital on March
13, 1961 after suffering a stroke at her home at 2321 Bexley Park Rd. She died nine days later. Services were held
at Schoedinger State Street chapel. Four newspaper clippings below tell of her death. Although Hazel died from a stoke, her obituaries in
local newspapers reported the problem to be a heart attack. Her death certificate indicates she died of a "Bascular Cerebral Thrombosis."
Mrs. Leach Dead
At 76
Mrs. Hazel K. Leach, 76, mother of City
Atty. Russell Leach and Common Pleas Judge Robert E. Leach, died Wednesday
at St. Anthony Hospital.
She was admitted to the hospital March
13 after suffering a heart attack at her home at 2321 Bexley Park-rd.
She was the widow of former Common Pleas Judge Charles A Leach.
She was active in Republican women’s
organizations and a member of the Altrurian Club, life member of Virginia
Wright Mother’s Guild and past president of Ohio State University
Mother’s Club.
Surviving also are two daughters, Miss
Dorothy A. Leach and Mrs. Jane C. Webster and three grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 pm. Friday at Schoedinger
State st chapel, where friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Thursday. Burial at Union Cemetery. |
Mrs. Hazel K. Leach
Rite Friday For Widow Of Judge
Service for Mrs. Hazel K. Leach, mother
of City Attorney Russell Leach and Common Pleas Judge Robert E. Leach,
will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Schoedinger funeral home, 229 E. State St.
The widow of former Common Pleas Judge
Charles A. Leach, Mrs. Leach, 76, of 2321 Bexley Park Rd., died Wednesday
in St. Anthony Hospital.
She was admitted to the hospital March
13 after suffering a heart attack at her home.
ACTIVE IN Republican women’s organizations,
she was a member of Altrurian Club, a life member of Virginia Wright
Mother’s Guild and a past president of Ohio State University Mother’s
Club.
Also surviving are two daughters, Miss
Dorothy A. Leach and Mrs. Jane C. Webster, and three grandchildren.
Friends may call at the funeral home
from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday. Burial will be in Union Cemetery. |
LEACH
Mrs. Hazel K. Leach, age 76, 2321 Bexley Park-Rd. Wednesday, Widow of
Charles A. Leach. Member of Women’s Luncheon Club, Altrurian Club,
Ladies Oriental Shrine Thea Court No. 5, Life member of Virginia Wright
Mothers Guild, past president of OSU Mothers Club, Bexley Women’s
Club, National Federation of Republican Women and Women’s Republican
Club of Ohio. Survived by daughters, Miss Dorothy A. Leach and Mrs.
Jane C. Webster; sons Robert E. and Russell; 3 grandchildren. Service
Friday 2 p.m. SCHOEDINGER STATE-ST CHAPEL, where friends may call Thursday
3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment Union Cemetery. |
Funeral Services
Are held Friday for Hazel Leach
Funeral services were held Friday, Mar.
24, for Mrs. Hazel K. Leach, 76, mother of City Attorney Russell Leach
and Common Pleas Judge Robert E. Leach.
Mrs. Leach was the widow of former Common
Pleas Judge Charles a. Leach. Her home was at 2321 Bexley Park-rd.
Active in Republican women’s organizations,
Mrs. Leach was a member of the Altrurian Club, a life member of Virginia
Wright Mother’s Guild and past president of the Ohio State University
Mothers’ Club.
Also surviving are her daughters, Miss
Dorothy A. Leach and Mrs. Jane C. Webster and three grandchildren.
Services were held at Schoedinger’s
State Street Chapel with interment at Union Cemetery. |
Hazel's last will and testament states that she appointed Dorothy as her Executrix and made Dorothy the soul beneficiary of her estate.
Photo was taken 8/15/01
Susan Leach Snyder (#2), who was 15 at the time her
grandmother died, has several memories of her grandmother. Grammie called
Susan her "Little Black-Eyed Susan." Susan remembers going
to Grammie’s house every Sunday for a visit. Susan and her brother,
mother, father, Aunt Dorothy, and Grammie would watch Lassie and the
Ed Sullivan Show on TV. On Saturdays, Dorothy drove Grammie to several
groceries to do her shopping. Lunch on Saturdays was usually at a drive-in
restaurant and Grammie usually ordered a pork tenderloin sandwich. Susan
remembers that her grandmother had poor circulation in her legs and
spent much of her time in later years laying in bed, watching TV. Susan
remembers that Grammie liked to watch Big Time Wrestling. To Susan's thinking, this was totally out of character.
Lifetime Events Summary for Hazel Kirk Thatcher:
Event |
Date |
Hazel's age |
Birth |
24 January 1885 |
0 |
Spanish American War |
|
13 |
Age at Mother's Death |
3 December 1904 |
19 |
Age at Father's Death |
|
23 |
Marriage |
27 April 1908 |
23 |
World War I |
1914 - 1918 |
29 - 33 |
Children's births |
1910-1922 |
25 - 37 |
Russell Leach (#3) 's birth |
1 August 1922 |
37 |
The Great Depression |
|
44 - 54 |
World War II |
1939-1945 |
54 - 60 |
Korean War |
1950 - 1953 |
65 - 68 |
Death |
22 March 1961 |
76 |
Return to Top of Page.
Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com
|
