Young Life:

Jane was 2+ years older than Russell, and his closest sibling in age. She and Russell often fought over who got to sleep with Zeppy (the long-haired dachshund dog.) The family story is that Zeppy had come from Germany to the United States in a zeppelin. That was the reason he was named Zeppy.

 

Jane's older brother, Robert, celebrated the same birth date as she, December 18, but he was 8 years older. Her sister (Dorothy) was 10 years older.

Below: Dorothy at far right is holding little Janie.

Below: Image one: Little Janie sitting on a step, Image 2: Little Janie in the front row at left. Brother Bob is the young man standing in the back row.

Below: 2nd from left is Jane; far right is her friend Wanda Nafzger.

Below: Both Images are of little Jane.

 

Jane was very young when she contracted polio. One of her legs and hip were permanently effected, and she had a limp for the rest of her life.

Because of her polio, her early schooling took place in an open air school in North Columbus. According to Wikipedia, open air schools were therapeutic schools built as educational institutions for children to provide open-air therapy so that fresh air, good ventilation and exposure to the outside would improve the children's health. [Note: Jane hated going to that school. She had to ride a street car to get there, and she often felt "car sick" during the long trip.]

 

Jane enjoyed swimming, took swimming classes at the Y.W.C.A, and participated in at least one pageant, as described below:

Below: Jane with her brother Russell.

The 1930 census states that Jane was 10 years old and living with her parents and brothers and sister on Lockbourne Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.

It was routine at the Leach house that every Saturday Hazel would do the grocery shopping for the family. She went to different groceries for different items. She bought her meats at Barton's grocery. Jane and Dorothy went with Hazel to help her shop. It is likely that when she was old enough, Dorothy did the driving.

When Jane was about 15, she met a good-looking young man, also about 15, who was working at Barton's grocery. His name was Charles Clare Webster (Dick Webster). Jane was smitten. [Note: it wasn't until after Dick had died that Steve found out that his Grandfather Leach and Grandfather Webster had been friends for years, prior to Jane meeting Dick]. Dick had a tough life as a teenager. The depression had greatly affected his family and his father was sick. His father eventually died while Dick was in high school. Because of these things, Dick went to work to help support his family, and he dropped out of high school.

High School Experiences:

Jane attended South High School in Columbus, Ohio for two years before her parents moved the family to Bexley, Ohio. She was a very good student, as shown on the grade card below. It is unknown whether this card was for the second semester of her junior or her senior year, but she was taking Business English, English, Science, and History. Her final grades for the semester were all A's and 1 B.

Image 1 is the front of the card and Image 2 is the back, which required a parent's signature.

Below: The April 1, 1927 school newspaper, The Bexley High Torch, shows just how good Jane's grades were.

The school newspaper also ran articles to wish students a Happy Birthday. The message to Jane and others appeared in the December 17, 1937 paper.

 

Below: In 1938, The Bexleo (Bexley's yearbook) page 24 showed Jane's senior photograph and information.

Below: Also in that yearbook, page 56 lists her honor on the Senior Honor Role.

Jane graduated from Bexley High School on June 9, 1938.

Below: The outside and inside of Jane's Graduation announcement, and her card.

Post High School Life:

The 1940 census confirms her having attended 1 year of college. She was living with her parents, brothers, and sister at 2321 Bexley Park Rd, in Bexley, Ohio. She was listed as being 20 years old.

 

Below: Dorothy and Jane

While Jane was finishing high school and attending college, Dick was working at Curtiss -Wright. He also got his Life Insurance License.

Below: This post card was found among Jane's things in an old trunk. The card is from Dick and the card is dated September 1940. Dick is in Drummond, Michigan. The circumstances of his trip are unknown.

Below: Jane and Dick.

Jane and Dick were married on May 20, 1942.

Below are two newspaper wedding announcements for Jane and Dick. Unfortunately, these copies were in poor condition when found. But, what can be read is that they were married on May 20th in the rectory at St. John's Church. Genelle Buchannan was the maid of honor and Russell (Jane's brother) was the best man. The newlyweds were going to be living at 1358 Franklin Ave.

Below: Dick's Order to Report for Induction into the Army had been mailed just one day before Jane and Dick's wedding. He was to report to duty on June 5, 1942.

During much of the beginning of their marriage, the couple were apart. Dick was in training at various Army air fields around the United States; Jane was at home in Bexley, living with her mother, father, sister, brothers (until they too were drafted) and Zeppy.

Below: Jane's card

Below:The War Department sent the pamphlets below to aid service personnel and their dependents in understanding benefits and aids to dependants.

During the war years, Jane and Dick were writing back and forth. Jane's two brothers (Bob and Russ) were also in the Army. All were writing letters to each other, many of which they saved and which the webmaster has. Jane was expecting her first child.

Below are descriptions of some of what was included in five letters that brother Bob received in 1943 from Jane. The letters were found among Bob's possessions after he had died.

January 25, 1943, Jane told him about the love affair the family dog Zeppy was having, that Dick was being transferred to Georgia, that she had received a baby blanket from Marie, and that Russell was sending the future baby a nickle every time he cussed. Her last sentence was "Well until my next letter, so long and keep your chin up. Your sister--- Jane."

February 13, 1943, Jane wrote that Dorothy had given Bob's Valentine candy to Marie [Bob's wife]. Jane mentioned staying around home to "take Mother places." She said it had snowed again and that she said she'd been getting many letters that week, seven from Dick, two from Russell, and others from friends that were out of town. She ended her letter with, "Keep your chin up, I am. Your sister, Jane."

March 10, 1943, Jane wrote "Daddy is back at work and seems to be feeling pretty well. Mom and Dorothy seem to have slight colds, but nothing to worry about. Zeppy is as fat and sassy as ever. That's that!" "Let us hear from you as often as possible. Your sister-Jane"

April 14, 1943, Jane told Bob. "Last night Mother, Dorothy, and I went to the Eastern and saw 'Random Harvest'." Jane said that she enjoyed it very much. But she said that for the most part, she has very little desire to do anything. She describes herself as the size of a ten ton truck and feeling like it too. Dick is in Nashville, awaiting orders. Dick had been home for a visit, but now she is back to "my old boring routine of doing nothing and going nowhere. " "He really looked swell. All in all he looks super, of course, I'm prejudiced." "Keep your chin up, I am. Your sister, Jane."

April 29, 1943, Jane described the house as a horrible mess. It was being redecorated. "You can't find a place to sit down and you can imagine how Daddy goes for that. He keeps threatening to go away and stay 'till it's all over, but he actually does nothing about it. Poor guy!" After describing the new wall coverings, she says, "I hope you get somewhere with that O.C.S. application. It would really be swell if you could go to the U. of Michigan. It wouldn't seem so far from home." "Dick is still in Nashville and still doesn't seem to know when or where he will go from there. He writes everyday." Zeppy sends his love. Goodby for now. Jane."

On June 10, 1943, Steven Charles Webster was born at Grant Hospital in Columbus. Somehow [How he did it is unknown to Steve], Dick saw Steve born.

Steve was the first grandchild for Hazel and Charles, and he was showered with love from Jane, Dorothy, Hazel and Charles. He would have to wait to meet his uncles. Click here to see additional photos of Baby Steve.

Below: The envelope and birthday card sent by Dick to Jane, dated Dec 14, 1943. Jane would have been 24 years old. Steve would have been 6 months old. Dick was at Selman Field, Monroe Louisiana, attending navigation school.

 

Dick graduated from Army Air Forces Navigation School on January 15, 1944 in Monroe, Louisiana. The next three photographs show a portion of his graduation document... the cover, 1st page, and the page listing flight 78.

 

The letter below, dated 15 January 1944, the same day he graduated, states that he has been appointed and commissioned a temporary Second Lieutenant. He is stationed at Monroe, Louisiana.

 

Below: Also dated January 15, 1944, this letter is to the Adjutant General for the Procurement Branch. It declares that Dick's date for entry upon active duty was 15 January 1944.

Below: This article describes Dick as Lieutenant C.C. Webster and stationed at Selman Field, Louisiana.

Below: This newspaper article (unknown date) refers to Dick having had a 10-day furlough with Jane. After his furlough he reported to Muroc Army Air Base in California. His furlough must have been before the next document that has him assigned to 319 at Muroc, California.

 

Below: This document dated, 17 April '44, lists 2nd Lieutenant Charles R. Webster [Note this should be Charles C. Webster] in Crew 319, stationed at Muroc, California.

Below: Dated 30 April 1944, Dick had filled out his insurance information for the Adjutant General. The information was to be used in the event of his death. He was scheduled to go overseas in May.

 

Below: Jane kept this poem during the war. The poem was found in her old trunk after she died.

Below: This article appeared in the newspaper around October 1944. [Note to date of the paper is estimated from the age of Steve at 16 months]. The article announced that Dick was a navigator in the 5th Air Force. That unit had made the first daylight bombing raid on the Philippines.

 

Below: This letter dated February 28, 1945 states that Dick is being promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Dick's location is not known, but the letter is coming from the Headquarters of the United States Army Forces in the Far East.

Below is a letter written by the Commander of the Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area to Jane, telling her of the Air Medal that Dick had received. Below the letter is a transcript of same, written by the webmaster on September 26, 2023.

 

As was stated earlier, during these war years, Jane and Dick were writing back and forth. Dick wrote every day. Pictures were often included in the letters. Below are several that Dick sent home.

Below: A valentine from Steve to his mother. The year is unknown.

 

Below: At the end of the war, each enlisted man received this note from the President of the United States

After he was discharged, Dick worked for Kingan Company. The company canned ham. Dick was the District Manager for all of the states east of the Mississippi. Every month, he was gone for about two weeks on the road, visiting stores and recruiting and hiring other salesman.

Below: Steve about 6 years old

On August 15, 1950, Jane's father (Charles Leach #5) died at the age of 69 from a heart attack. Jane would turn 30 the following December 18, 1950.

The 1950 census listed Jane as 30 years old and living in Whitehall (a suburb of Columbus, Ohio) with Dick (30) and son Steve. The family had moved out of the Bexley Park house about 1946 and was renting a one bedroom apartment at Fairport Apartments.

Below: Jane, Dick, and Steve.

 

When Steve was in 4th grade (~ 1951), Jane cut out the following article about Steve's class at E. Broad Street Elementary. This article was found in Jane's old trunk after she had died.

 

The letter below, dated 3 November 1952, appointed 1st Lt. Charles C. Webster as a Reserve Officer in the United States Air Force.

Below: Jane is trying to play a guitar that was likely a present given to Steve. The year and circumstances are unknown.

 

Below: The Ohio State Journal Newspaper, dated March 18, 1953, reported that Air Reservists were being urged to aid in an Air Force Survey. Dick is listed as having been interviewed. His address is listed as 2321 Bexley Park Rd.

 

Below: On June 3rd 1959, Dick received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force.

Later, Dick started his own business. His business card is below. He delivered meat to restaurants and to many Columbus Public Schools. When Steve was in high school, he helped by cutting meat in the shop and in delivery.

The Websters bought a house at 3724 Dehner Drive in Columbus. Dick and Jane spent the rest of their lives in this home.

Below: Steve's high school senior picture in 1961.

On March 22, 1961, Hazel Leach #6 (Jane's mother) died from a stroke. Jane was 41. The poem below was found among Jane's possessions in the old trunk.

Below: In 1964, Jane attended her 26th high school reunion from Bexley High School. Below is the class reunion information, published information about classmates, and her name tag.

 

The entire Leach family got together each Christmas. Every year, the location rotated. In the photograph below, Jane is "playing Santa" at her house. Marie Leach is in the background.

Below: One of Jane's favorite recipes was for Lime Pineapple Salad. She wrote the ingredients and instructions on the front and back of a card for a wedding shower for her niece Susan. [Note Jane's very neat handwriting].

Below: Jane's signature on a check.

Jane enjoyed playing bridge and was in several bridge clubs. One of them included her sister-in-law, Helen Leach. They likely began playing together when the Websters and Leaches lived at the Fairport apartments.

Jane also really liked her friends. One, named Peggy Groves, was a distant cousin. Jane hired Peggy to help clean and do other things for her. In return, Jane paid Peggy, helped out Peggy's family, and was close to Peggy's kids.

Below: A card sent to Jane from Peggy.

 

Dick joined the Big Brother Association in 1965, as indicated in the first letter below.

Dick has several little brothers during his Big Brother years. Below, he was standing up at a wedding for one of them.

Below are pictures of Dick and Jane through the years.

 

Below: Dick is holding his great niece Kate Samuelson.

In 1973, Jane's niece Susan married, and was living in Hawaii with her husband. Jane was corresponding with Susan. Below, Susan returned a letter. Prior to Susan leaving Ohio, she had been doing ceramics once a week with her mother, Helen, Jane, Ann (Susan's sister) and Jane's daughter-in-law.

 

Below is a mother's day card that Jane received from son Steve and daughter-in-law Linda sometime in the 1970s. Later, Steve and Linda divorced, but Jane remained very close with Linda.

Jane's family and friends enjoyed Jane' sense of humor, love, and generosity. Below are some photographs of Jane with her Leach nieces, a great niece, and a great nephew.

Below Left: With niece Susan Leach Snyder at Susan's retirement from teaching in 2000; Right: With niece Ann Leach Samuelson.

Below: Jane with great niece Carrie Leach

Below Left: with nephew Charlie Leach ; right with great nephew Kyle Samuelson and great niece Kate Samuelson.

 

Jane also had nieces and nephews on the Webster side of the family. The webmaster is not familiar with these people, but the following cards were found among Jane's possessions in the old trunk.

Below: This photograph was labeled Megan and Jay Webster

 

On June 5, 1997, Dick died from lung cancer. He had been in a long term health facility. Dick is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Helen Webster and Marie Beatty. Their obituaries, found among items in Jane's old trunk are below:

Jane lived for 15 years as a widow. She continued spending much time with here friends and family. One winter, she flew down with her friend Peggy Groves to Naples, Florida to stay for awhile with Jane's sister-in-law, Helen Leach (Russell's wife).

Below: Jane sent this Christmas card to Susan and Jim, Susan's second husband, Jim.

Jane had several strokes near the end of her life. Even after losing her ability to speak clearly, she continued to have a jovial disposition around her niece, Susan, and other family and friends. She died in a Hospice facility. Prior to her death, she shared with Susan how very proud she was of the accomplishments of her sister Dorothy, the artist, and her two brothers, Robert and Russell, both judges.

Below: Jane's obituary, as it appeared online at the Columbus Dispatch website.

 

Below is the tombstone of Jane and Charles Webster at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus, Ohio.

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