Many of the folks who had worked at Leach & Leach, including AM Leach himself, started businesses that catered to automobile owners. John was one of them, starting his own place, “Baker’s Shop,” on Hiter Street. He specialized in building and repairing auto and truck bodies, especially axles. He was, in effect, the first auto body shop in Clarksville.
At the time, he had two young children – John and Martha – at home and another one – James — on the way.
In late 1928 business was good enough that he moved into space leased in the former Leach & Leach space, which had been slowly leasing out since the business closed.
In 1930 Joe, their fourth child, was born. Callie was 38 and John was 55 years old.