William Henry Leary - February 08, 1855 - January 29, 1929

The Byron Express
February 1, 1929

William H. Leary for over seventy years a resident of Leaf River and Byron townships, passed away at his Byron home very suddenly on Friday, January 25, 1929, aged 74 years, Mr. Leary had been in poor health for several years but his final illness was of short duration.

Mr. Leary was born at Reading, Berks Co., Pa., on February 8, 1853, and came to
this section with his parents when two years of age. The settled in Leaf River township. On August 25, 1883 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ryan. They resided on a farm between Byron and Leaf River until after her death in 1924, and there they reared twelve children.

Those left to mourn the loss of their father are Mose, William H. Jr., Edward and Harry of Byron; Mrs. Mary Holquist of Bensonville; Mrs. Julia Myers of Rockford, Mrs. Carrie Kennedy of Byron, and Mrs. Ella Dannewitz of Somonauk, and thirteen grandchildren, including Errol and Elizabeth Townsend, whom he adopted at the death of their mother in 1916.

Mr. Leary was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic church and
funeral services were conducted from there by Rev. Fr. A. J. Vollman on
Monday morning. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Byron.

Submitted by Ellen Kennedy

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