James Madison LEACH

January 17, 1815 (age 76)

Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

He attended Caldwell Institute and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1838. He resigned his commission shortly after graduation. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and began his practice in Lexington, North Carolina. On June 24, 1846, he married Eliza Montgomery. From 1848 to 1858, Leach served in the state House as a member of the Whig, and later the American, party. While in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1859 to 1861, he opposed secession. However, when the war began, he resigned from Congress and volunteered for service in the Confederate Army. During the war, he held the ranks of captain and lieutenant colonel in the army and served as a unionist in the second Confederate House in 1864-1865. He claimed to have been a member of the peace party which advocated Reconstruction. He served on the Illegal Seizures and the Quartermaster’s and Commissary Departments Committees. After the war, he became a Democrat and served in the state Senate in 1865, 1866, and 1879. He also practiced law in Lexington. He served as a conservative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1871 to 1875.

James Madison LEACH

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congressman lawyer state politician

Background

LEACH, James Madison was born on January 17, 1815 in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States, United States. Son of William and Nancy (Brown) Leach.

Education

Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1838. Studied law.

Career

He attended Caldwell Institute and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1838. He resigned his commission shortly after graduation. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and began his practice in Lexington, North Carolina.

On June 24, 1846, he married Eliza Montgomery. From 1848 to 1858, Leach served in the state House as a member of the Whig, and later the American, party. While in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1859 to 1861, he opposed secession.

However, when the war began, he resigned from Congress and volunteered for service in the Confederate Army. During the war, he held the ranks of captain and lieutenant colonel in the army and served as a unionist in the second Confederate House in 1864-1865. He claimed to have been a member of the peace party which advocated Reconstruction.

He served on the Illegal Seizures and the Quartermaster’s and Commissary Departments Committees. After the war, he became a Democrat and served in the state Senate in 1865, 1866, and 1879. He also practiced law in Lexington.

He served as a conservative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1871 to 1875.

Religion

"Peculiar institution" of slavery was not only expedient but also ordained by God and upheld in Holy Scripture.

Politics

Stands for preserving slavery, states' rights, and political liberty for whites. Every individual state is sovereign, even to the point of secession.

Membership

Member North Carolina Ho. Member United States Ho. Member Confederate States Congress, 1864-1865.

Member North Carolina Senate, 1865-1866, 79</td><tr><td class="label_burgverd11px"><b>Death</b></td></tr><tr><td> Died Lexington, June 1, 1891.

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Spouse Eliza Montgomery.

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James Madison LEACH

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