Most of the collection relates to the descendants of Jeshuran and Theoda Huntington Leachnatives of Vermont who, after their marriage, moved frequently with their family between Ohio, Michigan and New York states. Following Jeshuran's death in c. 1842 the family returned to settle in Genesee County, Michigan. There were seven children: Morgan L., DeWitt Clinton (called D.C.), Henry, Lois Huntington, Wesley, A. Judson (called A.J. or Judson), and Theoda.
Morgan studied medicine at the University of Michigan in 1851-1853. He practiced medicine and married before returning to complete his studies in 1857-1858, when he received his M.D. Morgan enlisted in the 1st Michigan Cavalry in 1861 as a private and was soon made a hospital steward. He was wounded in 1861, taken prisoner, paroled and given a medical discharge. He was commissioned in late 1862 as Assistant Surgeon with the 9th Michigan Cavalry. He resigned on July 15, 1864 and returned to Michigan where he practiced medicine and wrote extensively for local newspapers, publishing a book in 1884, A History of the Grand Traverse Region .
DeWitt was active in politics, both at the state and national levels, and was editor or owner of several newspapers. Wesley served in the 1st Michigan Cavalry from August 1861 to August 1864. A.J. moved to Nebraska in 1867.
Lois H. Leach received her teaching certificate at age fifteen and taught in Genesee County schools. She married three times, first to Frederick Waterman, then William O'Dell, and briefly to Jacob M. Runyan, who became ill and died within days of their wedding. Lois Leach Waterman and her first husband had five children: Edgar, Ella, Hattie, Fred Jr., and Lois. Fred Jr. took his young family to pioneer in Nebraska in 1885. They tried several locations in Nebraska before returning to Michigan in 1895. Fred's son, Edgar Waterman (b. 1880) wrote a manuscript of his childhood memories from these years. The younger Lois Waterman married Edgar M. Armstrong, son of William Armstrong, and had three daughters, Eleanor, Louise, and Harriet (Hattie).
From the guide to the Margaret Leutheuser Collected Papers [microform], 1853-1935, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
