History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 159

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

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HENRY A. LAYCOCK, landlord, Wyoming borough, was born in Warren county, N. J., November 11, 1834, a son of Jacob (a farmer) and Christian (Young) Laycock, also natives of New Jersey, and of English and German origin, respectively. They reared a family of nine children, five of whom are now living, Henry A. being the third in order of birth. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen shipped before the mast on a whaling vessel, on which he circum- navigated the globe in a two-years' cruise; he then went to Bloomsburg, Pa., and worked as molder in an iron-mill for two years; thence came to Pittston, same State, where he was hotel clerk for three years; then proceeded to California, where he worked in the gold mines for about two years. At the end of that time (in 1861) he joined a regiment under Col. Lippet, but this regiment not being received into the service by the President, Mr. Laycock returned to Luzerne county, raised a com- pany in Pittston, and went to the front as first lieutenant of Company I, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was promoted to captain after the battle of Antietam, to major on December 23, 1864; to lieutenant-colonel for gallant service in the bat tle of White Oak Road, Va., May 13, 1865, and to colonel on June 12, 1865, for similar meritorious conduct in the battle of Five Forks. He received several letters of thanks from his generals for bravery on the field. He was conspicuous at the battle of Borden Plank Road, March 29, 1865, for refusing to dismount, and, riding at the head of the regiment, under a heavy fire, he had two horses shot from under him, and his elbow shattered by a rifle ball at the battle of Gravity Run; refusing to go to the hospital, he fought the next day's battle at Five Forks with his arm in a sling, winning new laurels and many thanks from his general. The Fifty-sixth regiment entered the service in the latter part of the year 1861, was assigned to Gen. McDonell's corps in the spring of 1862; then stationed around Fredericksburg, Va., and in August, 1862, started on the memorable campaign known as "Pope's Retreat." This regiment took a very active part in the second battle of Bull Run; also participated in all the subsequent engagements fought by the army of the Poto- mac. In 1864 the regiment re-enlisted for three years, and was the regiment that opened the first fire at the battle of Gettysburg, under the command of Col. J. W. Hofman. The Fifty-sixth participated with credit in the following battles: Rap. pahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Groveton, Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, Union, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Gettys- burg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., North Anna, Tolopotomy Creek, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Peebles' Farm, Chapel House, Hatcher's Run, Bellfield, Dabney Mills, Boydton Plank Road, Grav- elly Run, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, and was at the surrender of Lee. The regi- ment was mustered out of service July 1, 1865, at Ball's Cross-Roads, Va., and was put en route for home on Sunday morning. The following is a list of the field and

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staff officers of the regiment: Colonel, Henry A. Laycock; lieutenant-colonel, John A. Black; major, George F. Michaels; adjutant, George E. Guier; quarter- master, S. J. Slocum; surgeon, J. T. Shoemaker; assistant-surgeon, P. H. Pennsyl; chaplain, B. R. Smith.

Mr. Laycock was married November 15, 1871, to Miss Emma Long, of Wilkes- Barre, and they have two children: Gertrude, born January 18, 1875, and Harry, born July 18, 1881. The family are Presbyterians. Mr. Laycock is a Knight Templar, a member of the Knights of Honor, and in politics is a strong Republican.

ROBERT K. LAYCOCK, carriage smith, Wyoming, was born in Warren county, N. J., January 24, 1839, and is a son of Jacob and Christiana (Young) Laycock, natives of New Jersey and of English and German origin, respectively. The father was proprietor of the "American House," Bloomsburg, Pa., at the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1854. He reared a family of nine children, five of whom are now living, Robert K. being the fifth in order of birth. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of fourteen commenced to learn his trade with Hagge, Brown & Wertman, of Milton, Pa, where he worked eighteen months; then two months for Strawbridge & Wilson; six months for Mathias Appleman, of Rohrsburg, Pa .; six months for George Stricker, of Catawissa, Pa., at the end of which time he moved to Wyoming, Pa., and here worked sixteen months for David B. Polen; thence moved to Lock Haven, and worked for Amos T. Brisel, eight months, when he returned to Wyoming, May 3, 1863, and formed a partnership with A. J. Crouse for the manufacture and repair of wagons, sleighs, etc., the business being known as the Laycock & Crouse Carriage Factory, where are employed about twelve men. Mr. Laycock was married, December 19, 1867, to Mary E., daughter of Almond and Ruth (Jenkins) Church, natives of Pennsylvania and of English origin, the former of whom is a farmer by occupation. He reared a family of four children, three now living. Mrs. Laycock was born July 17, 1842. This union has been blessed with one child, Ruth Anne, born March 6, 1877. Mrs. Laycock and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Laycock is a member of the K. of H., and is a Knight Templar. Politically, he is a Democrat, and served as councilman for one term.

GEORGE LAZARUS, farmer, Wilkes-Barre township, was born in Buttonwood, Han- over township, this county, May 22, 1847, a son of Thomas and Rachel (Miller) Lazarus. His father was born in Cherry Hollow, Monroe Co., Pa., and died, on the old homestead at Buttonwood, December 13, 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. His mother was born in Harmony, N. J. and died on the Lazarus home- stead, July 30, 1889, at the age of seventy-two years; both parents were of German extraction. His grandparents, George and Mary (Hartzel) Lazarus, came to Han- over township in 1816, and became the possessor of 1,360 acres of land, about 1,100 acres of which proved to be one of the most valuable coal tracts in the Wyo- ming Valley. They had seven children: John, Betsy (Mrs. Dewitt Stocker), Cathe- rine (Mrs. Fritz Deitrick), Sarah (Mrs. John Blanchard), George (formerly proprie- tor of the " Eagle Hotel," Pittston), Mary (Mrs. Azel B. Blodget), who is the only survivor, and Thomas. Thomas followed farming and the management of his portion of the estate, which he leased to the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company for a term of ninety-nine years, including all the coal. When the estate came to be distributed among the heirs, there arose a technical point of law, the decision of which has since governed many large coal properties throughout the State, including the coal and iron portion of the Girard estate of Philadelphia. The case was argued before an auditor, who held that as the lease included all the coal there could be no reversion, and hence the coal was personal, and not real estate. The court of Luzerne county decided to the contrary, but the supreme court of Penn- sylvania reversed the decision of the lower court, and sustained that of the auditor. The family consisted of eight children, seven of whom reached maturity: Emily E. (Mrs. William Harrison), Lucy A. (Mrs. A. B. Lender), George, Margaret D. (Mrs. R. D. Bennett), Lucinda M. (Mrs. Manly Brundage) Chester B. and Stella (Mrs. J. C. Brader, deceased).

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Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native town and the Wyoming Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1869. He has since followed farming and the management of the coal and other estates, in which he has shown ability and shrewdness seldom found, and he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. He removed to Wilkes- Barre in September, 1891. Mr. Lazarus was married March 16, 1876, to Miss Emma, daughter of George and Margaret (De Reamer) Major, natives of Pennsylvania, of English and French origin respect- ively. The issue of this happy union is one child, George F., a student in the Harry Hillman Academy. Mr. Lazarus and family worship at the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Lazarus is a member. He is a member of the Hanover Green Ceme- tery Association. He is a Republican in his political views, and has held numerous offices in his native town. In 1890 he was appointed census commissioner of Hano- ver township, and has been also commissioned to collect samples of cereals in Luzerne county for the Columbian Exhibition.

BYRON A. LEACOCK, farmer, of Fairmount township, P. O. Ripple, was born October 8, 1843, in that township, and is a son of James F. and Julia A. (Grotz) Leacock, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and German origin, respectively. James Leacock, who was a farmer and mason by occupation, died February 28, 1879, aged eighty-five years. He was a son of John Leacock. Our subject, who is the eleventh in a family of thirteen children, six of whom are now living, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, New Columbus Academy and Wyoming Seminary. In June, 1863, he enlisted, at Harrisburg, Pa., in the service of his country, and was sergeant of Company F, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, service being picket duty on the Shippensburg Turnpike; was on duty at Falling Water, Va., Clear Spring on the Potomac River, etc., and was discharged in August, 1863. After a few months' rest he re-enlisted, this time in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered in as a private September 5, 1864; promoted to sergeant September 12, 1864; transferred to Com- pany B, January 5, 1865. Service-First Brigade, First Division, Tenth Corps, October, 1864; fatigue and picket duty with Army of the James, winter of 1864 and 1865; First Division, Twenty-fourth Corps, January, 1865; January, 1865, crossing of the James river, Virginia; March 28, in the charge of Fort Gregg and Fort Alexandra; April 2, front of Petersburg, Va. ; April 2, fall of Petersburg and Rich- mond; April 6, Rice Station; April 6, wounded on skirmish line, near Rice Station, Va., when his watch was forced into his right groin by a gunshot, the watch thus saving his life. He was discharged May 27, 1865, by order of the War Department, dated May 3, 1865. Returning to the pursuits of peace, he worked the homestead farm on shares four years; then was contractor in Wilkes-Barre four years; then was traveling salesman for J. F. Hammes, a marble dealer, two years, after which he took a trip of several months through the West, and returning to Parsons, Pa., drove a supply wagon two years; then worked as a car-runner at Pine Ridge for one year; afterward went to work for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company as stable-boss, in which he remained seven years; and in 1876 he moved on the farm he now owns. Mr. Leacock was married October 12, 1865, to Harriet L., daughter of Nathan and Mary A. (Swank) Kleintob, and who was born April 8, 1843, the eldest in a family of seven children. This union was blessed with four lovely children, viz. : Fannie M., born August 28, 1866, died February 16, 1874; Harry N., born November 26, 1877; Stephen R., born August 26, 1879; and Charles A., born September 11, 1882. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Leacock is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. In politics he is a sound Democrat, and is assistant post- master.

GEORGE LEASER, Hanover township, engineer on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, was born in Germany, August 11, 1848, and is a son of Peter and Martha (Drexell) Leaser, the latter being a member of a very wealthy family. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, came to America in 1850, and located at Summit Hill, Carbon Co., Pa., where he remained but a short time. Losing everything he 62

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had in a fire, he removed to Tamaqua, where he had charge of all the pumps in Rimer's Run for four years. In 1856 he removed to Wilkes-Barre, built the Stanton Breaker, worked later in Newport township, and in 1858 came to Ashley, where he also followed his trade and built locks on the Lehigh Canal. Mr. Leaser served nine months in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-second P. V. I., after which he worked at mining for some time and then again at his trade. On Decem- ber 18, 1869, while gunning with the boss carpenter, Philip Manhart, he was acci- dentally shot by the latter, nine buckshot passing through his body and killing him instantly. The family of Peter and Martha (Drexell) Leaser consisted of nine chil- dren, viz .: George (born in Germany); Anna (Mrs. John Vogal); Joseph (who died at the age of two years); John, a fireman in Ashley; Mary (Mrs. Charles Martin), who died at the age of thirty-two; Ella, who lives with her brother John; Elizabeth (Mrs. David Welden); Margaret (Mrs. John Baker), and Emma, who died at the age of one year.

Our subject was educated in the public schools of Tamaqua, Wilkes-Barre, Wanamie and Ashley, and at the age of nine years began working about the breaker. This occupation he followed for eight years, and was then successively engaged in braking on the Central Railroad one year, as conductor two years, and firing seven years, and was promoted to his present position in 1878; he built his comfortable home on Ridge street in 1886. Mr. Leaser was married, November 13, 1873, to Jane A., daughter of George and Mable (Morgan) Lawrence, of early New England families. To this union were born six children, viz .: Morris, a brakeman in Ashley; Harry, a painter, also in Ashley; Lawrence P .; Charles; Walter, and Lucy J. This wife died November 17, 1886, and he was married, the second time, on March 29, 1890, to Mrs. Jennie Murphy, daughter of Michael and Annie (O'Brien) Burns, natives of Ireland, and widow of Michael Murphy, by whom she had two children, Joseph and Annie. Mr. Leaser and wife are members of the Episcopal and Catholic Churches, respectively; he is a member of the B. L. E. and F. & A. M., and is a Republican in his political views.

JOHN W. LEOKIE, M. D., Hazleton, was born in Baltimore county, Md., Decem- ber 12, 1835, and is the eldest in a family of four children born to Roland and Mana (Mason) Leckie, the former, a native of Raleigh, N. C., the latter, of Balti- more, Md. The subject of this sketch was educated in his native county, receiving a very thorough classical training under private tutors. In 1863 he entered the university at Lewistown, where he took a theological course. He was soon after ordained at Lock Haven, and followed the calling of a minister of the Gospel until 1881, when he became interested in medicine, and began a course of study at the Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, where, after taking the regular course, he graduated in 1883. He immediately afterward located at Hazleton, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Leckie was united in marriage, March 14, 1863, with Miss Ellen S., daughter of Ludwig and Catharine (Rahn) Study, natives of Littlestown, Pa., and to this union have been born five children, namely: Ida M., wife of Ira J. Mandeville, of Newark, N. J .; Carrie L .; John W., a student at Hahnemann University, Philadelphia; Mary B .; and Edwin R. S. (deceased). In politics the Doctor votes the Republican ticket; he is a member of the Homœo- pathic State Medical Society; the family attend the M. E. Church.

ANDREW LEE, foreman, Jeansville, was born at Pictou, Canada, March 4, 1843, the second in a family of three children born to Robert and Jenette (Weir) Lee, natives of Scotland. The family removed during 1849 from Canada, locating at Hazleton, where the children were reared and educated. The subject of this sketch began life by working about the mines, and did general work until April 19, 1861, when he enlisted in the United States army, in Company C, Eleventh P. V. I, for three months' service, and when the term of his enlistment expired, Mr. Lee re-en- listed, September 11, in Company D, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Col. Cor- mon. He served until August 21, 1865, and was in the campaigns of the army of the Potomac, participating in 135 engagements. In March, 1865, Mr. Lee took

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command of Company D, as lieutenant, and was at the head of his company in the last engagement fought beeween the North and South. After returning from the war, Mr. Lee devoted his attention toward coal mining, and was employed in a vari- ety of positions about the mines until 1870, when he was appointed machine boss for the Harleigh Coal Company. He held this position for nine years and, in 1879, was made general outside and inside foreman of the works, which position he held until 1882, in which year he went west to accept the position of general superin- tendent for the New York & Ohio Coal Company of Sherodsville, Ohio. In 1886 he returned east, and became general outside foreman under Pardee, Bros. & Co., at Lattimer, Pa., remaining there until 1890, when he was appointed general fore- man of the stripping gang for J. C. Hayden & Co., which position he now holds. Mr. Lee was united in marriage December 19, 1865, with Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Belle (Baird) Wallace, natives of Scotland. To this union have been born seven children, namely: Jeneatte (deceased), Belle, Blanche, Nettie, Howard (deceased), Stella (deceased) and Orio. In political matters Mr. Lee is an untiring Prohibitionist; he is a member of the G. A. R., I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M ; he attends the Presbyterian Church.

CONRAD LEE, lumber dealer, and proprietor of the Wyoming Planing Mill, Wilkes-Barre, with residence at No. 142 North Franklin street, was born in Hanover township, Luzerne Co., Pa., November 3, 1842, and is a son of Stephen and Jane (Lines) Lee, natives of Newport township, this county. His maternal grandparents, Conrad and Mary (Fairchild) Lines, and his paternal grandfather, James Lee, were pioneers of Newport and Hanover townships, this county. The parents of our sub- ject were married February 10, 1834, and moved to Delaware county, Ohio, where the father at times worked at his trades of plasterer and brick-layer, while clearing and improving a farm. After a residence in Ohio of six years, he returned to Luzerne county, locating in Wright township. He then erected a sawmill, engaged in lumbering and farming, and resided there twenty-two years, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre and purchased the planing-mill on Canal and North streets. He resided in Wilkes-Barre until his death, which occurred when he was at the age of sixty-two years, June 12, 1874. His widow is still living at her home on North street, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was the father of seven children, of whom five are now living: John R., Conrad, Mary, Priscilla and Amanda. Conrad Lines, the maternal grandfather of subject, was a blacksmith by trade; was born July 26, 1789, and spent all his married life (about fifty-two years) in Newport township, and accumulated a valuable coal tract of over 200 acres. He was the father of six children. The subject of this sketch was reared in Luzerne county, educated at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and in early man- hood taught school several terms. On attaining his majority he visited the west, teaching one term of school at Rome Corners, Delaware Co., Ohio. He then accepted a position as yard foreman for John L. Gill & Co., Columbus, Ohio, in their lumber department, which position he held until the close of the war, after which he returned to Luzerne county, and dealt by way of speculation in Govern- ment mules and western cattle, purchasing the latter in the west, and disposing of them in the principal cities of the country. When but twenty-three years of age, he was appointed outside superintendent of the Avondale Mines, which position he held twenty-one years. During that time (September 6, 1869) occurred the great disaster at the mines, by which 108 men lost their lives. In his younger days our subject became thoroughly familiar with the lumber business through assisting his father at the mill in Wright township, and after the latter's death in 1874, he became interested in the Wyoming Planing Mill and lumber business in Wilkes- Barre, which his father had conducted seven years. Since 1886 he has been the sole proprietor, and by his energy, thrift and industry, has built up an extensive business. He was also formerly interested in mercantile business at Avondale, and is now a member of the lumber firm of Scouton, Lee & Co., of Parsons, Pa. He is the owner of considerable real estate, in which he deals quite extensively. Mr. Lee

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was married July 26, 1868, to Agnes, daughter of Martin and Jane (Govan) Weir, of Hazleton, formerly of Renfrewshire, Scotland, and the issue of this union is four children: George, Margaret, Jean and William. Mr. Lee is a prominent and well- known citizen of Luzerne county, and takes an active interest in all public matters and enterprises tending to the prosperity of the community at large. He is a. member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Board of Trade; and in politics he is a Republican.

HENRY LEES, merchant, Plymouth. This genial gentleman was born at Summer Coats, England, February 14, 1841, and is a son of George and Anna (Ashley) Lees, also natives of England. Our subject came to America in 1862, and settled at Plymouth, Pa., where he engaged in mining. This he followed out for a short time, when a desire to see the "Great West " seized him, and he went to Helena, Montana, where he was engaged in mining for five years. He then returned to Plymouth, and established his present store, which contains a full line of gentle- men's clothing, a merchant tailoring department, and a complete line of boots and shoes. The store is a spacious one, being two combined, and is one of the largest establishments in the borough. The subject of this sketch was married January 25, 1872, to Miss Lorinda, daughter of Oliver and Liva (Ransom) Davenport, natives of Wyoming Valley. To this union has been born one child, Rush O. Lees, who is at present attending the Wyoming Seminary. Mr. Lees is a Republican, politically. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEWIS LE GRAND, of the firm of L. Le Grand & Son, carriage manufacturers, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Providence, R. I., January 3, 1818, and is a son of Lewis and Eliza (Anthony) Le Grand, the former of whom was a native of France, the latter of Newport, R. I. Our subject was reared in Providence, R. I., and Cornwall, N. J., receiving a common-school education, and served a five-years apprenticeship at the carriage blacksmith trade in Newark, N. J., afterward worked as a journeyman three years, during one of which he was employed in Wilkes-Barre, where he located in 1840. In 1841 he embarked in business for his own account, carrying on carriage blacksmithing up to 1869, when he engaged in carriage manu- facturing, in which he has since successfully continued, being now the pioneer of the business in the city, and enjoying the reputation of dealing in only first-class work. He was married February 16, 1842, to Helen, daughter of Parley Lyons, of Plains, this county, and has the following-named children: Mary (Mrs. Jacob Batt), Luther, and Charles, the latter of whom has been associated in business with his father since 1889. Mr. Le Grand was among the emergency men in the Civil war, serving in Company F, Forty-first Pennsylvania Militia from June 29 to August 3, 1863, when he was honorably discharged.

STEPHEN H. LEIBENSBERGER, of the firm of Leibensberger & Sons, wholesale and retail lumber dealers, Hazleton, was born in Maxatawny, Pa., March 19, 1839, and is a son of George and Hettie (Miller) Leibensberger, also natives of Pennsylvania. Stephen H. was the fourth in a family of fourteen, was reared and educated in Berks county, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, which he has always followed. In 1870 he removed to Hazleton, and he continued at his trade until 1890, when he associated with him his sons Oliver and Jonathan. Their business consists of contracting and building, besides dealing in lumber, both wholesale and retail. Our subject was married, in June, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Reinhart) Dreis, natives of Berks county, and ten children have been born to this union, viz .: Oliver, Charles, Jonathan, Mary, Eugene (deceased), Ada, Lillie, Gertie, Jennie W. (deceased), and Harry. Mr. Leibensberger votes the Republican ticket; he is an adherent of the English Lutheran Church, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Sons of America, Shields of Honor, and Knights of Malta.

OLIVER LEIBENSBERGER, the second partner of this firm, was born in April, 1861, in Berks county, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, which he has

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 159

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532