ANDREW JACKSON LEATH, sheriff and sheriff’s deputy, was born November 24, 1870, at Blanche, the son of Rev. Josiah and Mary Jane (Scoggins) Leath; grandson of Sanford and Matilda Scoggins and James and Hetty Leath. His father was a Primitive Baptist preacher, born in 1810, who was married three times and had 23 children; by first marriage 11, by second, four, and by third seven boys and one girl.
A. J. Leath’s brothers and sisters were: Sanford; Jerry; Jack; Georgia; Robert; Webb; Clay; Ben.
He married Lottie Lewis, daughter of Anderson and Mary Jane (Browder) Lewis. Their children were: Lily; Webb; Clarence; David, Annie Mae; Margaret; Hettie; Bonnie; Jack, Jr.; and Johnie.
Sheriff Leath was a Methodist, a Mason and I.O.O.F. member.
Several of his half-brothers served in the Confederate Army, including Alex and James.
Webb Leath was killed in France during World War I. The youngest son, Jack, Jr., served in World War II.
Source: Mrs. Frank Ross Stewart, Cherokee County History, 1836—1956, Volume 2 (Centre, Alabama, 1959), pp. 266-267. Reprinted with permission.