James M. Leach
(January 17, 1815 — June 1, 1891) Leach was an American politician and lawyer. James Madison Leach was born in Randolph County, North Carolina in 1815. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1838 and was admitted to the bar in 1842 after studying law. While practicing law in North Carolina, Leach also served in the State House of Commons from 1848 to 1858. He was elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the United States House of Representatives and served during the Thirty-Sixth Congress from March 4, 1859 to March 3, 1861. During the Civil War, he was a member of the Confederate Congress. After the war, he serve in the State Senate in 1865, 1866 and 1879. He was elected again to the House of Representatives, this time as a Democrat candidate, and served from March 4, 1871 to March 3, 1875.
[Source: “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - Present,” available at https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/L000170]
Member of
North Carolina Delegation - The Civil Rights Act of 1875
[this display],
North Carolina Delegation - The Road to Civil War
.