MERCER COUNTY PAGenWeb Project


Sugar Grove Township 

Leechs Corners


 

John Leech, the founder of Leech’s Corners or Salem village, a soldier in the war of 1812, a member of the state legislature, and for over thirty years a justice of the peace and otherwise prominent in the early affairs of Mercer county, settled at the site of Leech’s Corners May, 1802. A postoffice called Salem was established at this cross-roads in March, 1832, William Leech being the first postmaster. The office was continued under this name until 1864, was discontinued awhile and in April, 1868, was re-established under the name of Leech’s Corners. The office was abolished a few years ago. John Leech was the first merchant at this place, and a church, school, sawmill and grist mill and a few shops represented the substantial part of the town’s growth.

Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 172-173

 

Sawmill and Cheese Factory

The second [saw] mill was established by Jacob Leech, near the hamlet of Leech’s Corners. It was a saw-mill. In later years the movable steam mill superseded the old stationary water-power ones, and many of the latter are now in operation in the northern part of the county. In this connection might be mentioned the cheese factory, which was opened at Leech’s Corners in 1873, by Breckenridge & Harper, in a small frame building, 40x50 feet in size. It served a good purpose, turning out at one time as many as eight cheeses per day.

History of Mercer County, 1888, page 603

 

 

Return to Leechs Corners

 

Return to Villages Index Page