My Genealogy Hound

Maj. D. D. Leach is one of the few men who fully recognize that a thorough education is absolutely necessary if a man wishes to become eminent in the practice of law, and he is also cognizant of the fact that a systematic course of reading gives variety to thought and a clearer perception to the motives of men. The Major is a prominent attorney of Augusta, and was born in Homer, Mich., March 29, 1841, being a son of R. T. and L. M. (Calhoun) Leach, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. After their marriage they removed to Michigan (about 1846), and a few years later settled in Wisconsin, and in 1871 removed to Arkansas, locating in Augusta where the father died in 1875. His widow still survives him. He was deputy sheriff, constable and city marshal for some years, and by trade was a mill wright, at which he worked for years. D. D. Leach was reared principally in Waukesha, Wis., receiving his education in Carroll College. After studying law in Waukesha for some time he removed to Colorado, and while in Central City, in 1864, passed a legal examination, and was admitted to the bar. Prior to this, he had enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry (in 1862), and was an able soldier of the Union until the close of the war. For bravery and good conduct he was advanced in the rank of officers to that of major. In 1868 he came to Augusta, Ark., and established himself as a lawyer, continuing in this profession ever since, winning for himself an excellent reputation as a pleader, his speeches being eloquent and to the point. He held the office of prosecuting attorney for ten years, and in 1886, was a candidate for Congress on the Republican ticket, but owing to the large Democratic majority in his district he was defeated. The Major is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the K. of H., being Past Grand Dictator of the latter lodge and is Deputy Supreme Protector of the K. & L. of H., and has also been Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State of Arkansas. In 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Dora Smith, a native of Wisconsin, and by her is the father of three children, Calhoun D. surviving.