Bits of SJ: Jack of All Trades

It is not ordinary that one person has the opportunity to pursue many different professions, as the subject of our story did, but Joseph S. Leach was not an ordinary man. Born in Shutesbury, Massachusetts in 1816, he became a licensed minister in 1838. He followed his three elder brothers into this profession but soon found that it could not sustain his interests in other fields.

Joseph moved to Cape May County in 1840, and was married shortly thereafter to Sophia Ball, also from Massachusetts. They lived in Cape May Court House before buying two lots on Cape Island in 1848 for $190. They borrowed $260 for construction and built their home on Hughes Street.

Joseph served the Baptist Church of Cape Island as a Deacon, church clerk, and trustee for many years. In 1851 he started his journey into other trades. He became a teacher in Lower Township and was elected City Recorder in the new government of Cape Island. This gave him membership on the city council and Justice of the Peace. Living on a modest income he sought other means of improving his life style. He sold the lot next to his house in 1854 for $500, a profit of more than $310. During this time, the first newspaper was being established and three months after its first publication, Joseph bought it. He became the publisher and editor of the Cape May Ocean Wave. His ability to write stirred much action to be taken in town affairs. Soon, he was a sought after as an orator and spoke at many meetings engaged in the controversy of the Civil War.

The war brought yet another position for Joseph Leach. He was appointed Postmaster in 1863 and served for three years. He also became the superintendent of schools and served as a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. His last profession was that of landlord. He built a double cottage and rented one out to summer tourists. He kept the other for his family to enjoy.

Joseph was successful in all of his endeavors, but his greatest success was probably his family. Him and Sophia had nine children; five sons and four daughters. One son died at only six months old. A second son did not outlive his father. His daughters married well, and his remaining sons were also prominent citizens. They carried on the good name of the Leach family with honor after their father’s death in 1892. The last property owned by Joseph and Sophia, located on Lafayette Street, was sold in 1955, more than 100 years after they built their first home in Cape May.

Some may say that Joseph was “a Jack of all trades, master of none,” but his life reflected excellence in all that he did, which made him the master of them all.

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Author: Editor