Thomas Leech was born in Kilfeach, Queen's Co., Ireland.

The evidence

• “THOMAS LEECH, dry-goods merchant ; born in Kilfeach, Queen's Co., Ireland, May 5, 1832, being the son of Michael and Margaret (Breen) Leech ; came to America Feb. 22, 1849, to Wisconsin in 1850, 1851 and 1852 in Milwaukee; eight years in the mercantile establishment of McKee at Janesville; eighteen years established in business for himself, and located opposite his present store until April, 1879. Married Elizabeth Sheehan in Janesville, May 31, 1863; they have five children living— John K., born Aug. 7, 1864 ;”

  1879-history-of-rock-county/17-bios-janesville.md, PDF p. 706 / book p. 710

  Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.

  Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources