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ABOUT FRESNO'S FIRST DOCTOR

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Fresno County had been established in 1856 and, when officials got around to starting a county hospital, Dr. Leach was the logical man to take charge because he was the only doctor in the county at that time. 

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When the county seat was moved to Fresno in 1874 Dr. Leach came to Fresno and set up his hospital in rented rooms.  His Bible was placed in the cornerstone of the Fresno County Courthouse.

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He became one of the leading residents of Fresno. As a medical man, he realized the need for good sanitation and he started the first waterworks and served as president of the company until it was sold in 1890. 

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As a successful businessman, he served as president of three early banks in Fresno.  He aided also in the formation of the first gas, light and street railway companies and served as president of each at one time or another during those difficult early years.

He also was a leader in he movement which led to establishment of the Fresno County Fairgrounds. 

But his first love was the county hospital.  He saw the first hospital constructed on the block bounded by Mariposa, Tulare, P and Q streets and later the establishment of a hospital on Ventura Avenue. 

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He had practiced medicine in St. Louis for two years before pushing west in 1850. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine 1848, after moving to Missouri from New York.  He was born in Pennsylvania and went to New York when he was 13 years old. 

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Source: Fresno Bee, April 15. 1956 page 14-A