USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 35
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Leibig, Charles P., a contractor in all kinds of plaster, cement and brick work, and a manufacturer of concrete blocks for building purposes at Locustdale, was born at Reading, Pa., Jan. 22, 1863, is a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Spangler) Leibig, the former a native of Lehigh and the latter of Berks county. In the spring of 1863 the family removed to Ashland where the father was engaged as a plastering contractor until 1885. In that year he retired and he died ten years later at the age of seventy-three, leaving a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the fifth in order of birth. The others are Caroline, now Mrs. John Coyle : George; Mary, wife of John Meudler; Harrison; James A. and John B. Charles P. Leibig was reared in Ashland and his edu- cational opportunities were such as the public schools of that borough afforded. While still a youth he learned the plasterers" trade under his father's instruction and for five years was em- ployed as a journeyman. Then in 1890 he embarked in the busi- ness as a contractor and has been most successful in the conduct
of it since that thite The manufacture of cement building blocks was begun in tog and has proved to be one of the best paying futures of the business There are plenty of evidence of Mr Leibig's ability in the county, among them the smoke stack at Engel & Schund - brewery at Fountain Springs and the cold storage building at the State hospital for injured persons Un Aug 25. 1805. Mr Leibig was unted in marriage to Mass Mummie bresthard, a daughter of Frederick and Sophie Gearhard of Ash land The union has been blessed with four aluldren Helen. Samuel, Frank and Marie. In his political beheis Mr Leibig is a Republican but has never aspired to offices of public trust. Fraternally he is a member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America.
Lessig. J. Alfred, M. D., a prominent young physician of Schuyl- kill Haven, was born in that borough on Dec. 31, 1872, a son of Ben- jamin F. Lessig. His paternal grandparents were James and Susanna (Boehm) Lessig, the former of whom was born in Mont- gomery county, near Valley Forge, and the latter near Rockland, Berks county. James Lessig was killed by an excavation near Valley Forge. Benjamin F. Lessig. now retired, was for many years a cattle drover. The subject of this sketch, after a due preliminary discipline in the common schools, entered and grad- uated at the high school of Schuylkill Haven He then completed a two years course at the Keystone state normal school of Kutz- town and after a few years entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed a four years' course in 189 and was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately started his professional practice in Schuylkill Haven and has been successfully and continuously engaged in it since that time. In September, 1004. Dr. Lessig was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Blee, daughter of Francis 11. and Anna ( Boone ) Blee, and to this union has been born a son, James. The doctor and his wife attend the Reformed church of Schuylkill Haven. Professionally Dr. Lessig is associated with the county, state and American medical association and fraternally with the order of Masons and the Royal Arcanum. Of the doctor's im- mediate family of ten children five beside himself are living. They are his brothers Norman. Frank and John, and two sisters. Mrs. . \. H. Kline and Mrs. G. W. Werner. Dr. Lessig ranks high in his profession in the county and is one of the most es- teemed citizens of the community.
Le Van, Capt. James H., retired, was born in Minersville. Pa., Feb. 1. 1841. He is a son of Joseph and Martha (Russell) Le \'an, the former born in Berks county. Pa .. and the latter in Eng- land. The father was a tanner by trade, and followed that oc- cupation in earlier life, but in later years was employed in a foundry located on the spot where Captain Le Van's house now stands. His death occurred in his ninety-third year and his wife died two years later at the age of eighty-four years. ()i the seven children born to them four survive. Captain Le V'an
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acquired some educational training in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of thirteen years went to work in the De Haven foundry of Minersville. Later he served an ap- prenticeship to a carpenter. In 1861, in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers, he enlisted as a drummer in Company 1, 5th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry in the three months' service and upon the expiration of that enlistment, in the fall of the same year, he became a private in Company C of the 50th Pennsylvania infantry. The regiment was first sent to Hil- ton Head, S. C., under Gen. W. T. Sherman and after participating in the siege of Hilton Head and battles of Beaufort, Pocotaligo and the Coosaw it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and joined it at Newport News, Va., where it became a part of the Second brigade, First division, Ninth army corps. As a part of this command it took part in the battles of White Sulphur Springs, Second Bull Run, Centerville and Chantilly, Va., South Mountain and Antietam, Md. It was then transferred to the Army of the Tennessee and took part in the siege of Vicksburg and capture of Jackson, Miss., under General Grant. After the fall of Vicksburg and Jackson, the regiment joined the Army of the Ohio under General Burnside and took part in the battles of Blue Springs, Lenoir Station, Huff's Ferry, Campbell's Station, and was besieged at Knoxville, Tenn. After the siege was raised, Captain Le Van received an honorable discharge at Blaine's cross roads, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1864, on account of reenlistment in the same company and regiment, as a veteran, to serve three years, or during the war. But after a thirty days' furlough he rejoined his regiment at Camp Curtain, Pa., and with his command was assigned to the Second brigade, First division, Ninth army corps, at Annapolis, Md. Shortly afterward it started with Grant on the Wilderness campaign and saw service in the battles of the Wilderness, Ny River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, the Mine Explosion, Weldon railroad, Ream's station, Pegram farm, Poplar Grove Church, Hatcher's run, Fort Stedman and fall of Petersburg. He was wounded before Petersburg, June 22, 1864, by a gunshot in the right shoulder, confined to the hospital at Mt. Pleasant, Wash- ington, D. C., for sixty days and rejoined his regiment at Yellow Tavern, Va. On Oct. 1, 1864, he was made captain of Company I of the same regiment, and served in that capacity until the end of the war. He was constantly with his respective commands. took part in all of their movements and engagements, except while confined in the hospital on account of his wound, and performed arduous and gallant service at all times, meriting the high commen- dation of his superior officers. Although not participating in the battle of Gettysburg, as a mark of honor the regiment was se- lected to represent the national government at the dedication of the Gettysburg Monument, on the battlefield, July 4, 1865, by order of the war department, Captain Le Van being provost mar- shal of the town during the dedication ceremonies. During the
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whole of his arms career he was made prisoner but once, and that was at Sporttaslama, but with several of his comrades he man- aged to make his escape and rejomed the remnant of his regiment After marching in the grand review at Washington, the regiment was mustered out at Fort Graines, July 30, 1865, and Captam 1.c Van returned to Minersville. For the first two years after his return he was engaged in the butcher business but left it to jom the first coal and tron police force where he rendered distinguished service, during the Molhe Maguire troubles, for a number of years. He then went to work for Giartles & box in the machine shop of his native town, leaving them to become assistant boiler inspector of the Schuylkill district, and after serving eight years as such, agam jomed the coal and iron police force While serv- ing on the police force he was elected recorder of deeds of Schuyl- kill county, and served a full term of three years. Subsequently he was for two years the warden of the county prison. In 1806 Captam Le Van married Muss Matilda Wythe, who was born in Minersville, a daughter of Simeon and AAgnes Wythe. Four children have blessed their union. Orlando B is married and re- sides in Newark, N. J., though he is employed in New York as a ticket seller by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the Pullman Car Company. Joseph IL is a bookkeeper in the Lytle store in Minersville. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Snyder, by whom he has one child, James H .: Benjamin F., unmarried, is a blacksmith and lives with his oldest brother in Newark. V J. The youngest son. James Garfield, died at the age of three years. Mrs. Le Van died in August. 1896. She was a fine Christian character, and a woman whose every effort was directed towards the happiness and comfort of others. Nowhere is she more missed than in her own home. Captain Le Van is a member of Lawrence Post, No. 17. Grand Army of the Republic, and after hav- ing served eleven years as commander of the same he was re- cently re-elected to that office.
Lewis, Moses H., D. O., an eyesight specialist of excellent ability. located in Ashland, was born in Pottsville on Nov. 2. 1874. and is a son of Abraham and Pauline ( Levy) Lewis, both of whom are natives of Schuylkill county. The paternal grandfather, Leon Lewis, was born in Germany and was the founder of the family in America, having settled in Pottsville as early as 1805. He was a tailor by vocation, and followed that occupation in Pottsville until his death. He left four children-Nathan, Herman, Abra- ham and Leah-and two of the sons served in the Union army during the Civil war. Abraham Lewis was reared in Pottsville. but in early manhood removed to New York city, where he is now engaged as a wholesale manufacturer of clothing. His fam- ily consists of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The others are Celia, wife of Daniel Gorfinkle : Jeannette, wife of Fred Langfelder; Len, Martha, Hannah and Victoria. Dr. Lewis was reared in New York and received his preliminary educational training in the schools of that city. On
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June 8, 1904, he was graduated at the Chicago eye, car, nose and throat college and subsequently took a graduate course in opthal- mology and therapeutics. In the spring of 1905 he opened an office in Ashland for the practice of his profession, and has met with success far beyond his most sanguine expectations. On March 9. 1895. was solemnized Dr. Lewis' marriage to Miss Bertha Sherwin, a daughter of Isadore and Esther (Levine) Sherwin. Both of Mrs. Lewis' parents are natives of Frankfort- on-Main, Germany. To Dr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born two children-Bella Ray and Celia. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah ; the doctor is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the encampment of the same, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Although he has been a resident of Ashland but a short time, Dr. Lewis has won for himself an enviable place in the life of the community.
Lewis, William H., a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Pottsville, was born at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, Sept. 6, 1840, and is the youngest in a family of five children born to John C. and Hannah (Umstead) Lewis, early residents of Port Carbon. John C. Lewis was born in Bucks county, Pa., in the year 1800, but spent the greater part of his life as a resident of Schuylkill county, principally at Port Carbon. He was a teacher for some years during his early life, and later took up the business of boat building, in which he was very successful until the en- croachments of railroads rendered canal-boating unprofitable. He then sold out his yard and engaged in the mercantile business at Port Carbon, in which he continued until his death, in 1873. In political affiliations he was a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party, became an adherent to the doctrines of Republicanism. He was a zealous worker in the church, a pub- lic-spirited, progressive citizen whose life was replete with good deeds and was a man who possessed the confidence and high re- gard of a large circle of acquaintances, formed during a business and social career covering a period of forty years in Port Carbon. His wife was the counterpart of her husband in all that was good and pure in life, a devoted wife and mother, a devout Christian, a generous, kind-hearted friend and neighbor. William H. Lewis has had a wide and varied business career. He was educated in the schools of his native borough, with the supplementary education acquired during a lifetime spent in careful study and investigation. He began his active life-work at the age of seven- teen, when he was employed as bookkeeper and manager in a mercantile and coal business in Tremont, a prosperous borough in this county. He continued there from 1857 until 1862, when he resigned his position to accept a similar one in the employ of Miller, Maize & Co. Seven years were devoted to this work as bookkeeper and manager in the extensive mercantile and mining establishments operated by his employers. In 1869. Mr. Lewis became the general manager for the firm of Packer, Rathburn & Co., of Pottsville, who were extensive coal operators in the Ma-
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hands and Schuylkill salless nership with V F Maize, the firm title being Muze A Lewi. and operated the West Shenandoah colliers until 1823. when the soll the property. The position of general manager of the Will in l'enn colliers was then tendered to Mr. Lewis and he is cepted the charge of this, one of the largest and most profitable collieries in the region. After working this collects ing several years it was transferred to New York parties who were connected with the Pennsylvania radroad, and Mr Lewis remamed for some time in their employ. He was also identified with the pur chase of the land and the opening up of the Lytle collerses near Minersville, and represented the interests of his employers in the Shamokin region, For a number of years he continued as man ager of these interests, as well as of the William Penn colliers lle is extensively interested in private business affairs, being . director in several banking institutions in the county, and is vice-president of the First National bank of Shenandoah at the present time. In addition to the large banking interests men- tioned, Mr. Lewis is president of and stockholder in the Fall biot tom Coal and Coke Company of West Virginia, and was formerh a member of the board of trustees of the State hospital for it tured persons, at Fountain Springs, in this county. He is a man deservedly popular, not only as an employer of labor, but also in a social sense. He is a Mason of exalted standing, having attained to the thirty second degree. Mr. Lewis was married on Sept. 13. 1865, to Miss Sarah E. daughter of M. F. and Cath- erine Maize, then residents of Pottsville, and ten children were born to this union, five of whom are living. Mrs. Lewis was an exemplary wife and mother, whose many graces endeared her to all who knew her. She died in 1800, and her death was sincerely mourned by a very large circle of acquaintances who knew her fine social qualities and lovely womanhood.
Lewis. William J., a well known resident and member of the school board of Shenandoah, was born in that city Oct. 31. 127. His parents, John .A. and Sarah J. (McCord) Lewis, were both born in Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, the former on March 20. 1831. and the latter on May 22, 1846. John A. Lewis was one of the pioneer settlers of Shenandoah, coming to the town in lah- ruary, 1862. when it contained but two houses, and the first col- liery was opened shortly after his arrival. He spent the active years of his life as a carpenter and contractor, many of the build- ings in Shenandoah having been created under his supervision. In this line of activity he frequently employed as many as 24 skilled workmen. He is still living and is hale and hearty for one of his years. His wife died on July 10. 1906. Of their chil- dren Lorena is now the wife of Dr. S. M. Fetzer of Shenandoah : William J. is the subject of this sketch; Ida C. is the wife of John M. Graig, a real estate man of Good Springs. Nev. : Olive U. is Mrs. Harry J. Huntzinger of Uniontown. Pa .: and Alfred B. is a civil and mining engineer, now holding the position of
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borough engineer of Shenandoah. William J. Lewis received his clementary education in the schools of his native city. After com- pleting the course in the high school he attended business col- lege and then spent over two years as a student in the law de- partment of thic University of Pennsylvania. On account of fail- ing health, due to sedentary work, he gave up the law and was for sometime associated with his father in the building business. He is now serving his second term of three years as a member of the school board, and in the years 1905-6 was secretary of the board. In political matters he is a consistent Republican and in church affiliations was formerly a Presbyterian, but now belongs to the Congregational church, in which he is a deacon and was for four years superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Lewis is a bachelor. (See sketch of William H. Lewis of Pottsville, a brother of John A. Lewis, for a more complete account of the family history.)
Lindemuth, William H., pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Pottsville, a pulpit orator of exceptional force and abil- ity, and withal a man of unexcelled capacity as an executive, was born in Reading, Pa., Aug. 2. 1864. His father, Rev. Jerome Lindemuth, was for more than forty years a member of the Philadelphia conference of the Methodist church, and the Linde- muth family has been well known in Schuylkill county for years, an uncle, William J., having been a lifelong resident of Miners- ville. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of liis native state and in 1881 received a certificate of graduation at the Lancaster high school. A year later he received a like cer- tificate from the Rugby academy of Philadelphia, and in the fall matriculated at the Wesleyan university at Middletown, Conn. When he had completed the full four years' course he received his master's degree, and in the same year (1886) started his theo- logical training at the Drew theological seminary at Madison, N. J. The year that he graduated at that institution he received his ordination as a minister of the gospel of the Methodist Episcopal church. His first charge was the St. Luke's congregation of Philadelphia, whence he went to the Oak Lane church of the same city and then to the Asbury church of West Philadelphia. In the last named charge he remained six years, the longest pastorate in the history of the church. His other pastorates include the churches at Pottstown, Wissahickon, Philadelphia. and Lans- downe, the latter a suburb of Philadelphia, whence he came by appointment of Bishop Henry W. Warren to the First church of Pottsville. Rev. Mr. Lindemuth's churches have all been in the Philadelphia conference, of which he has become one of the lead- ing and most influential members. He is a contributor to va- rious theological and religious periodicals and has won renown as an orator of no mean ability. Mrs. Lindemuth, formerly Miss Emma T. Kaercher, is a cousin of Samuel, Daniel and Edward
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Karcher, well known and prominent business men of Pottsville. their fathers, Damel and Frank Kaercher, having been brothers
Llewellyn, George T., the subject of this biographical review, was born at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pa, July 1.4. 1857 His parents, Lenge and Mary Jones, Llewellyn, were Balises of Wales The mother was a daughter of Thomas A. Jones, who died at Ashland, N'a. Jan. It, 1875. George Llewellyn. Luther of the subject of this article, died in June, 1857, as the result of all mindent in the mines. His widow accompanied her parents to Pottsville, and in 180g returned to Carbon county, where she died in August of that year. George F. was taken in charge by his maternal grandparents, and made his home with them during his childhood years. His opportunities for education were not the best, comprising only irregular attendance at the Ashland public schools for three or four years. He was a door-tender in the mines at the age of eleven, and passed through all grades at the mmes, from state-picker to starter. Whatever of success he has achieved in life is directly attributable to his own unaided efforts. By private study and observation, he has acquired a good business education, and has been recognized for many years as a thorough- Is competent and successful business man. In his boyhood days be carried papers, served as a messenger boy about the mines or elsewhere delivering messages, etc., and served for a time as cool- liery clerk. Finally he accepted a book agency, and sold books. and from this he drifted into the insurance business, which has been, practically, his life work. In this line he has established a large and lucrative business, and has been superintendent of agencies for the last twelve years. Mr. Llewellyn has been twice married, first, in 1879, to Miss Clara, daughter of James W. and Esther Thompson, of AAshland. She died on Aug. 21. 1892, leav- ing three daughters: Emily M .. Mary Harris, and Elizabeth T. On April 4. 1804. Mr. Llewellyn was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Holland, daughter of John and Jane Holland, of Mahanoy City, and two sons and a daughter have been born to this union. George 11 .. Jane AA. and John H. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Llewellyn is a Republican in his political affiliations, and takes an active interest in political affairs, but has neither sought nor held public office, except three years in the borough council, having been president of that body in 1905. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America ; Mahanov City Lodge. No. 095. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Republican club.
Lobach, Rev. Albert, pastor of St. John's Reformed church it Tamaqua, was born at Ironton, Lehigh county, March 12, 1861. a son of Samuel and Elnora (Schadt) Lobach. The father died at the age of forty-eight, but his widow, who makes her home with her children, is still robust and hearty, although in her seventy-fourth year. The father was a blacksmith, which vocation he followed all his active life. He was a master workman and an exemplary Chris- tian gentleman. He was the father of six sons and two daughters.
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of whom three sons and a daughter are living. After a due pre- liminary training in the public schools of Lehigh county the subject of this sketch learned the Blacksmith trade under his father. llc became a good workman, but his aspirations were along a different line and he matriculated at the Kutztown normal school. Ile was graduated with the class of 1883, and the following year took post graduate work at the school and then for a number of years was a teacher in the public schools. After another year in the normal school he was graduated, in 1887, from the scientific department. His theological training was acquired immediately after in three years of work at the Franklin and Marshall college of Lancaster, Pa., where he was graduated in 1890. He was then ordained as a minister of the Reformed church, and accepted a call to become the pastor of the St. Paul's congregation of Bethlehem. After nine years of faithful, zealous service, in which he was the chief influ- ence in the erection of a new church, he assumed charge of the five churches and congregations at Cunningham. There he remained but a year and a half, however, resigning to become pastor of St. John's Reformed church at Tamaqua. This charge he has held ever since, to the satisfaction of the entire congregation. He is deeply interested in the welfare of the city and county, and in the fall of 1906 was a candidate for the nomination to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket. In 1891 Mr. Lobach was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Breinig, a native of Lehigh county, and a daughter of Edwin and Catherine (Swartz) Breinig. Her mother is a sister of the late Judge Swartz of Berks county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lobach have been born eight children-Samuel E., Paul A., Titus B., Cath- erine E., Margaret L., Pearl H., Ada L. and Esther Marion.
Long, Jacob L., a hardware merchant, a plumber and tinsmith by vocation, and superintendent of the water works of Pine Grove, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Dec. 22, 1870. He is a son of John Henry and Louisa J. (Dixon) Long. The father was a jeweler and a skilled workman in his line, doing work for the people of several places. His death occurred in 1876, at the age of thirty-three years, and his widow, now over sixty years of age, is a resident of Tre- mont. Of the six children in the family three are living. Clinton A., Charles A., and Emma E. died at the ages of thirteen, twenty- four and twelve years, respectively. James H. is in the hardware business at Orwigsburg, and Amos E. is foreman of the tinshop in the bolt works. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Tremont and Pine Grove, and while he was yet a student he began his apprenticeship in the tinsmith's trade. He worked as a journeyman at Pine Grove, Philadelphia, Brazil, Ind., and Mount Carmel, Pa., and in 1898 returned to Pine Grove and established himself in business. His ability, his skill as a workman and his absolute honesty have won for him the respect of the community and his industry has prospered even better than he had dreamed. He does all kinds of tin work, steam heating and plumbing and has fitted most of the recently erected dwellings of Pine Grove. In September, 1890, Mr. Long married Miss Sallie C. Haas, a native of
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