Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

LEINBACH, DANIEL G.

p. 625

Surnames: LEINBACH, GULDIN, LEVAN, HECKLER, MALLON, EVANS, ROLLAND

Daniel G. Leinbach, an aged citizen of Reading now living retired
at No. 639 Pine street, was born in Exeter township, Berks county,
Dec. 13, 1829, son of Frederick and Maria (Guldin) Leinbach.

Frederick Leinbach, father of Daniel G., was a
blacksmith by trade, but owned a farm near Leesport and gave a
considerable part of his time to managing that property. Later in
life his farming interests were in Exeter township. He died at that
second homestead aged fifty-seven years, leaving a widow and
children. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Guldin, lived to
the age of sixty. Only five of their family still survive, namely:
Daniel and Albert, retired; Mahlon; Jonathan G.; and Mary, widow of
James Levan, a resident of Reading.

Daniel G. Leinbach received his education in the
schools of his native township and between the terms worked at
farming. When he reached the age of seventeen he turned his
attention toward blacksmith work and under the instruction of his
father became an adept at that trade, following it for six years.
He then learned boiler making and after mastering that trade,
secured a position in the works of the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company. The fact that he remained there for thirty-one
years, sufficiently attests his efficiency as a worker. On Oct. 18,
1887, he retired from their employ, and for the next eleven years
was employed by his brother J. G. Leinbach in the latter’s mill.
Since 1900, he has given up all active work, owing to advancing
years and now lives retired at his home on Pine street. Mr.
Leinbach has accumulated a comfortable property and owns
considerable real estate, being the possessor of two houses in the
First ward, two in the Second and one each in the Tenth and
Sixteenth wards.

On Oct. 14, 1849, Mr. Leinbach married
Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine (Heckler) Levan, and the
following children have been born to them: Mary, m. to Frank
Mallon; Ellen, m. to Charles Evans; Martha, m. to Samuel Rolland;
Anna E., unmarried, who is her father’s housekeeper. Mrs. Leinbach
died Nov. 4, 1894, aged sixty-eight years and nine months, and was
interred in Aulenbach’s cemetery. Mr. Leinbach belongs to several
fraternal orders, being a member of Mt. Penn Lodge, I. O. O. F.; of
Freedom Circle, Brotherhood of the Union; and of the Rebekah Lodge,
I. O. O. F. Religiously he is a member of the German Reformed
Church of Reading. In his earlier days, during the war, Mr.
Leinbach saw some military service, enlisting in 1862 for three
months. His has been an industrious useful life, and he has well
earned the freedom from care he now enjoys and the respect of the
community which is so freely accorded him.

LEINBACH
FAMILY

p. 1258

Surnames: LEINBACH, LERCH, KLEISS, SCHILLINGER, FREY, ZINZENDORF,
HERMAN, RIEHM, GRAUL, SCHIEFFER, MILLER, OHNMACHT, HARTMAN, GOSH,
BOAS, MOHN, KNABB, SEIBERT, REISS, WALBORN, REBER, UHRICH, DUNDORE,
SEIDEL, BAUSCH, EVERHART, ALTHOUSE, LONG, KLEISS, BEECHER, RHOADS,
KELLER, SCHMEHL, BABB, MARQUETTE, HINNERSHITZ, EISENBISE, YOUNG,
MAULE, MANWILLER, GAMBLER, ANGSTADT, SCHWEITZER, RENINGER, SNYDER,
PALM, WENTZEL, ROTHERMEL, BOYER, DICKINSON, STOUDT, SCHNECK, LLOYD,
HERRING, GANSER, LEIBY, LEBO, HINTZ, STERN, BECKER, REIFSNYDER,
PRICE, RAUDENBUSH, BARD, STUBER, MOYER

The Leinbach family had its early home in the district of Wetterau,
Germany, where the first known ancestor of the Berks county (Pa.)
family was Henry Leinbach, who married Barbara Lerch.

Johannes Leinbach, Sr., son of Henry and
Barbara, was born in Langen-Selbold, Wetterau, March 9, 1674; he
was baptized by the Reformed pastor. In his native land he was an
organist. On Oct. 2, 1700, he m. Anna Elizabeth Kleiss, who was
born in Eidengup, Wetterau, Feb. 2, 1680, daughter of Adam and
Elizabeth (Schillinger) Kleiss, and was baptized in the Lutheran
faith, to which her parents adhered. Johannes Leinbach, Sr., came
to Pennsylvania Sept. 11, 1723, with his three sons and two
daughters: Frederic, John Henry, John (Johannes, Jr.), Joanna Maria
and Maria Barbara, the family settling in Oley township, Berks
county. He was “vorsteher” of the Oley congregation, into which
office he was inducted April 9, 1742.

Frederic Leinbach, son of Johannes, Sr., was
born in Hochstadt, near Frankfort on the Main, July 15, 1703, and
was baptized by the Reformed pastor, Rev. Mr. Bender. He was a
tailor by trade. On June 2, 1737, he m. Elizabeth Frey, of
Skippack, who was born there July 1, 1719, and was baptized by
Count Zinzendorf May 6, 1742.

John Henry Leinbach, son of Johannes, Sr., was
born Nov. 26, 1705, in Hochstadt, and was baptized in his infancy
by the Reformed pastor, Rev. Mr. Bender. On Nov. 2, 1739, he m.
Joanna Herman, born in Conestoga March 16, 1718, and baptized by
Count Zinzendorf May 6, 1742, the same day as Elizabeth Frey, above
mentioned.

Johannes Leinbach, Jr., son of Johannes, Sr.,
was born in Hochstadt Feb 13, 1712. He accompanied his parents to
Pennsylvania in 1723, and settled as a farmer. On Aug. 12, 1735, he
m. Catharine Riehm, of Muddy Creek, and they had eleven children,
one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Frederick, John
Daniel, Lewis, Abraham, Benjamin, Joseph, Elizabeth, Maria Barbara,
Johanna and Catharine.

John Daniel Leinbach, second son of Johannes,
Jr., and Catharine (Riehm) Leinbach, born in 1746, died in Oley
April 8, 1817, aged seventy-one years, two months, nineteen days.
On Nov. 9, 1768, he m. Catharine Graul, who died April 6, 1783, the
mother of six children: (1) Salome, born March 9, 1771; (2) Maria
Sybilla, born Nov. 17, 1773; (3) Susanna, born Nov. 1, 1775; (4)
John (Johannes), born April 3, 1778 (sponsor, John Leinbach); (5)
John Henry, born Aug. 29, 1780 (sponsors, John Schieffer and wife);
and (6) John Daniel, born Jan. 21, 1783 (sponsors, Philip Miller
and wife). John Daniel Leinbach m. (second) a Lerch, who died in
1788; she bore him two children: (7) Abraham, born March 8, 1787
(sponsors, Frederick Ohnmacht and wife); and (8) Catharine, born
June 9, 1788 (sponsor, Catharine Lerch). In 1789 John Daniel
Leinbach m. (third) Mary Magdalena Hartman, and the children of
this marriage were: (9) Jacob, born Sept. 24, 1790; (10) Christian,
the grandfather of Peter M., of Bern township, and W. M., of
Reading, born Dec. 24, 1791 (sponsors, Christian Gosh and wife);
(11) Benjamin, born Sept. 25, 1793 (sponsors, Benjamin and Margaret
Leinbach); (12) Joseph, born Aug. 12, 1795, died Nov. 6, 1795; (13)
William, born Aug. 27, 1796 (sponsor, Pastor Boas); (14) Samuel,
born April 14, 1798 (sponsors, Daniel Hartman and Maria Lerch);
(15) Maria Magdalena, born April 21, 1800 (sponsor, Maria Magdalena
Hartman); (16) Thomas H., born Jan. 18, 1802 (sponsors, Peter Mohn
and wife, Magdalena); (17) Charles (a minister of the Reformed
church), born Nov. 7, 1802 (sponsor, Rev. Frederick Herman, Jr.,
who baptized him); (18) Salome, born Feb. 25, 1804, died in early
youth (sponsors, John Knabb and wife, Salome); (19) Frederick, born
Aug. 9, 1807 (sponsors, Frederick Ohnmacht and wife); (20) Solomon,
born June 9, 1809 (sponsor, Rev. Mr. Boas); (21) Rachel, born April
14, 1813, died May 10, 1815.

Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach, son of John Daniel,
born Jan. 18, 1802, died March 31, 1864, aged sixty-two years, two
months, thirteen days, became a clergyman in the Reformed Church.
He was born on the old Leinbach homestead near Spies’s Church, in
Oley township, was reared upon the farm, and was educated by the
Rev. Dr. Herman, of near Boyertown. Practically he was a self-made
man, as were many of the successful workers of that day. He was a
man of strong constitution and fine physique, had a powerful voice
and was an excellent singer. He was a strong catechist. About 1825
he settled at the parsonage of the old Tulpehocken Church, in Berks
county, living there until his death, which occurred at
Millersburg, Berks county, where he had preached continuously for
thirty-eight years. He was one of the best known ministers of Berks
county, and was highly esteemed. On Aug. 24, 1824, he m. Elizabeth
Seibert, born May 15, 1806, daughter of Michael and Catharine
(Reiss) Seibert, of near Womelsdorf, died April 14, 1891, aged
eighty-four years, ten months, twenty-nine days. They had thirteen
children, five sons and eight daughters, of whom one son and two
daughters died in infancy and are buried at the Tulpehocken Church.
Of the others, (1) Rev. Dr. Aaron S. Leinbach lived and died in
Reading, passing away at the age of seventy-one years; one of his
sons, John Hiester Leinbach, was a Reformed minister. (2) Maria R.
m. Dr. Isaac Walborn, of Myerstown, Pa. (3) Elvina m. Rev. Joel L.
Reber, of Berks county, latterly of Hanover, York Co., Pa.; their
only son, Thomas N., is a minister of the Reformed Church. (4)
Sarah M. m. Gen. William Uhrich, of Herndon, Va., who was a general
in the Civil war. (5) Rev. Thomas Calvin is mentioned further on.
(6) Emma L. died at Myerstown Sept. 26, 1902. (7) Jane P. m. John
Uhrich, of Myerstown, and died June 12, 1874. (8) Charles H. died
Oct. 6, 1891, aged sixty-one years, eight months, five days. (9)
Rev. Samuel A., of Reading, Pa., is mentioned further on. (10)
Clara N. m. Reilly J. Dundore, of Myerstown, and died aged
fifty-one years, one month, twenty-four days.

Rev. Thomas Calvin Leinbach, late of Womelsdorf,
Pa., was born in Jackson township, Lebanon Co., Pa., Dec. 31, 1837.
His boyhood days were spent upon the farm. His early education was
obtained at the Myerstown Academy, at Myerstown, Lebanon county,
and was followed by a course in the preparatory department of
Franklin and Marshall College. In 1854 he entered the same college,
from which he graduated in 1858. The following September he entered
the Reformed Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, Franklin Co.,
Pa., from which he graduated with honor in 1860; he was awarded the
German oration. He then became an assistant to his father, Rev.
Thomas H. Leinbach, pastor of the Tulpehocken charge, which
consisted of Trinity, of Tulpehocken; Salem’s, of Millersburg;
Klopp’s, of Hamlin, Lebanon county; Kimmerling’s, Northeast, of
Lebanon, Pa.; Gushert’s, of Mt. Zion; Schaefferstown, and Millbach.
He then received a call from Schaefferstown, Millbach and
Newmanstown, Lebanon county, and served in connection with these
three Reamstown, and Swamp Church, in Lancaster county. In the
course of several years he resigned this charge, and on March 4,
1866, he accepted a call from the Bernville charge, composed of St.
Thomas, at Bernville; North Heidelberg; Zion’s, at Strausstown; St.
John’s, at Host; Christ, in Jefferson township; St. Paul’s,
Robesonia. He here remained, active in the ministry, until his
death, May 1, 1909, his son, Rev. Edwin Samuel, assisting him. In
these years Rev. Mr. Leinbach preached over four thousand sermons,
officiated at the funerals of over 2,535 people, baptized 4,435,
confirmed 950, and married 1.425 couples. He was a member of
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M. The comments of the daily
and church papers show that he was recognized as one of the ablest
catechists in the Reformed Church, and was ranked among the best
German preachers of his generation. “After life’s toil he sleeps
well; nay, he doth not sleep, but lives -lives in the eternal
morning and in the hearts of all who knew him.” His was a strong,
cheerful, commanding personality.

On Sept. 6, 1870, Rev. Mr. Leinbach m. Maria R.
Seibert, born June 16, 1840, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Seidel) Seibert, farming people of Marion township, Berks county.
Mr. Seibert was a commissioner of Berks county at the time the
present court-house was erected. To Thomas C. and Maria R.
(Seibert) Leinbach were born eleven children, seven of whom are
deceased. The survivors are as follows: (1) Rev. Paul Seibert
Leinbach, now of Easton, Pa., prepared for college at the so-called
Palatinate College, in Lebanon county, graduated from Franklin and
Marshall College in 1894 with highest honors, entered the
Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., and graduated from that
institution three years later. (2) Rev. Edwin Samuel Leinbach was
born Sept. 12, 1878, in Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa., and received
his early education under the parental roof, also attending the
public schools of his native town. He subsequently continued his
studies at Myerstown, spending three years at the Albright
Collegiate Institute, after which he took a course at Franklin and
Marshall College. His theological course was taken at the Seminary
in Lancaster, where he finished in 1903, afterward taking a two
years’ post-graduate course. After his graduation he assisted his
father as associate pastor of the Bernville charge (which is
composed of six congregations), being stationed at Womelsdorf, and
upon his death succeeded him in that charge. He is at present State
chaplain of the P. O. S. of A., and also county chaplain of that
order. On June 16, 1903, he m. Miss Carrie M. Bausch, and they have
had one daughter. (3) Oliver Eugene Leinbach is a clerk in the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and lives
in Reading. (4) Rev. Elmer G. Leinbach graduated from the same
institutions in which his brothers were educated, and at present
has a charge at Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania.

Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach, youngest son of Rev.
Thomas H., was born in Jackson township, Lebanon Co., Pa., June 10,
1844. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1864, and
from the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg in 1867. After his
graduation he was assistant to his brother, Thomas C., for one
year, when he received and accepted a call to the Egypt charge, in
Lehigh county, serving it for sixteen years. In 1884 he accepted a
call to the Leesport charge, which he served until Classis
reconstructed the charge, and he discontinued at Leesport and
Gernants, and continued at Epler’s, Bern and St. Michael’s. In 1904
he resigned the two former congregations and is now pastor at St.
Michael’s only, a congregation served by the three brothers and a
nephew continuously for a period of forty-three years. On June 27,
1872, Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach m. Margaret H., daughter of Dr.
Charles W. and Elizabeth Everhart, of Sellersville, Pa., To this
union came one daughter, Margaret Grace, wife of E. E. Althouse,
editor of the Sellersville Herald. He m. (second) in 1879 Mary
Catharine, daughter of William S. and Sarah Long, of Durham, Pa.,
and they have one son, Samuel A., a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania and now a practising physician in Quakertown,
Pennsylvania.

John (Johannes) Leinbach, eldest son of John
Daniel, born in Oley April 3, 1773, died in 1860, in his
eighty-third year. By occupation he was a farmer. He m. Elizabeth
Kleiss, and they had five children, of whom two died young. The
others were: Mary (m. George Beecher), David (m. Elizabeth Rhoads),
and John.

John Leinbach, son of John (Johannes) and
Elizabeth (Kleiss), born in Exeter township Jan. 16, 1814, died
Sept. 26, 1900, aged eighty-six years, eight months, ten days. He
owned a fifteen-acre truck farm, which he successfully conducted
while teaching school. He was one of the earliest teachers in the
county, teaching in the German pay school for some years. He also
taught in the old Moravian school, which was situated on a
seven-acre plot of ground in Oley township. After the establishment
of the public school system he taught several terms at Spies’s
Church. In politics he was a Whig, and he took an active interest
in his party. The Leinbachs generally have been strong advocates of
Republican principles. In 1839 Mr. Leinbach m. Louisa Keller,
daughter of Conrad and Catharine (Schmehl) Keller. They had
children as follows: Tyler is mentioned below; Catharine m.
Franklin Hartman; Dallas m. Elizabeth Babb; Llewellyn m. Elizabeth
Marquette; Mary Ann m. Oliver Hinnershitz; Amanda died in 1861,
aged eight years; John died in 1858, aged one year; Louisa m. John
Eisenbise, of Reading; Albert died in 1861, aged two years; Ellen
m. Henry Young, of Reading.

Tyler Leinbach, eldest son of John and Louisa,
was born in Exeter township, Berks county, Sept. 19, 1841. He
attended the schools of Oley, Exeter and Alsace townships for some
years, and was hired out among the farmers until he was twenty-nine
years of age. When the Civil war broke out he went in defense of
his country, enlisting Aug. 22, 1861, in Company K, 93d
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the
engagements at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks (in Virginia), the Seven
Days’ battle, and Malvern Hill. He then became one of four
teamsters of his regiment until he was mustered out, April 23,
1865. After the war he again engaged at farm work for a year, and
then went to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he remained seven
months. He next went to Elkhart county, Ind., where he made his
home until 1869, when he returned to Berks county, Pennsylvania.

On Feb. 14, 1871, Mr. Leinbach m. Anna, daughter
of Josiah and Catharine (Maule) Manwiller, and granddaughter of
Daniel and Sallie (Gambler) Manwiller. To Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach
have been born children as follows: Ida, born Dec. 24, 1871, died
July 22, 1899, m. Samuel Angstadt; Kate, born Jan. 28, 1874, died
Feb. 11, 1883; Calvin M., born Aug. 26, 1875, a clerk in the
Customs House, Philadelphia, m. Emma Schweitzer; John E., born May
24, 1877, a cigar manufacturer at Stony Creek Mills, Pa., m. Amelia
Reninger (he is a member of the M. W. A.); Charles M., born Oct.
24, 1879, clerk in the Reading post-office, m. Jennie Snyder;
Annie, born Oct. 30, 1881, died aged one year, three months; Howard
M., born Nov. 2, 1884, is a medical student in the University of
Pennsylvania; Louella, born Jan. 23, 1887, who was a school teacher
in Exeter township, m. Edwin F. Palm, assistant secretary of the Y.
M. C. A. of Buffalo, N. Y.; and Josiah M., a tool-maker by trade,
born Jan. 2, 1889, is at home (he is a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America, Camp No. 9,289, Reading, Pa.). Mr. Leinbach and his
family are members of Spies’s Union Church, of which he has been
deacon and elder. Since 1906 he has resided in Mt. Penn borough,
where he has a comfortable home on Cumberland street. He is now
living retired from active work, and is in the enjoyment of the
esteem and respect of all who know him.

John Henry Leinbach, the fifth child of John
Daniel Leinbach, was born in Oley township Aug. 29, 1780. In his
later years he settled in Muhlenberg township, where he cultivated
his large farm, located on the present site of Rosedale. He m.
Joanna Herman, and to them were born a number of children, among
whom was Jonas Leinbach, the grandfather of William O. Leinbach, of
Mt. Penn borough.

Jonas Leinbach, born Nov. 30, 1820, in
Muhlenberg township, died Nov. 24, 1902. He was a wheelwright for
some years, and for eight years worked for the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company, on leaving whose employ he went to a farm
in Cumru township. There he lived nine years, and then moved to the
farm of the late Judge Stitzel, in Muhlenberg township, where he
remained two years, finally settling on the Judge’s large farm in
Richmond township, where he lived for twenty-five years. He was
twice married, and had the distinction of being the father of more
children than any other man in Berks county, having had thirteen
children by each of his wives. His first wife, Rebecca Wentzel, was
the mother of children as follows: Harriet, Ellen (who died
unmarried), Percival, Thomas, Mary (m. William Rothermel, of
Temple, Pa.), Katie (m. Henry Boyer), William (died single), Emma
(born June 22, 18–, who died Feb. 8, 1876), Rebecca (m. Theodore
Dickinson), Sarah (m. Daniel Stoudt), Daniel (m. Annie Schneck) and
———–. Mr. Leinbach’s second marriage was to Harriet Lloyd,
born Dec. 28, 1837, died Dec. 25, 1897, and to them there were also
born thirteen children, namely: Jonas, a molder of Reading, m. Emma
Herring; Alice m. Andrew Ganser, a carpenter of Reading; Laura m.
Alfred Leiby, of Reading; Annie m. Monroe Lebo, of Reading; Henry,
of Reading, m. Lena Hintz; Nora m. Jacob Hintz, a puddler, of
Reading; Joseph L. has a sketch elsewhere in this work; Minnie m.
Solon Stern, foreman in an underwear factory of Reading; Lillie
died unmarried, aged twenty-one years; Emma died young; three
children died in infancy.

Percival Leinbach, the father of William O., was
born March 23, 1844, in Muhlenberg township, and was reared on his
father’s farm, on which he continued to reside until nineteen years
of age, when he learned the blacksmith’s trade with John Becker, of
Reading. He has followed that occupation to the present time. For a
number of years he was located in Reading, but now resides in Mt.
Penn. He is a Democrat in politics, and for one term was a school
director in Lower Alsace township; fraternally he is connected with
the K. G. E., Castle No. 63, of Reading. Mr. Leinbach is a Reformed
member of the Alsace Church. In 1865 he m. Catharine Reifsnyder,
daughter of Samuel and Judith (Price) Reifsnyder, and to this union
were born three children: Henry, a coal receiver for the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in Reading (m. Sallie
Raudenbush); William Oliver; and Emma, who died in 1875, aged six
years.

William Oliver Leinbach was born Nov. 16, 1867,
in Reading, and was taken to Alsace (now Lower Alsace) township by
his parents when a mere lad. There he attended the common schools
until fifteen years of age. When sixteen years old he began to
learn the blacksmith’s trade with his father, for whom he worked
thirteen years, and in 1897 began working in Reading, being
employed for two years with Harry Bard, a carriage builder. Since
1899 he has been with the Keystone Wagon Works. He is an excellent
mechanic and his services are highly valued by his employers.

In his political views Mr. Leinbach is a
Democrat. He was auditor of Lower Alsace township for four years,
and on the organization of Mt. Penn borough was elected one of its
first councilmen, serving on the fire and approving committees. He
is a member of Castle No. 63, K. G. E., of Reading; Camp No. 230,
P. O. S. of A., of St. Lawrence, Pa.; and Wyomissing Council, No.
1584, Royal Arcanum, Reading, Pa. He was one of the charter members
of Trinity Reformed Church of Mt. Penn, and has been janitor
thereof since its erection, in 1898. He has been secretary of the
Sunday-school since its organization in 1890 and in twelve years’
time missed but five Sundays in attendance.

On July 27, 1887, Mr. Leinbach m. Lizzie Stuber,
daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Moyer) Stuber, deceased, of Reading,
and by this union there is one daughter, Emma Victoria, born Nov.
6, 1890.

LEINBACH, GEORGE A.

p. 592

Surnames: LEINBACH, ALTHOUSE, RIEHM, SHARTLE, SHENK, LONG

George A. Leinbach, late of Reading, who was
well known in business circles as the junior member of the firm of
Leinbach & Bros., died at his residence, No. 611 Walnut street,
Reading, at four o’clock, Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, 1905. He
was born in Bern township Sept. 29, 1843, son of Christian and
Susan (Althouse) Leinbach.

The Leinbach family is an old one in Berks
county. Mr. George A. Leinbach’s line of descent from the earliest
known American ancestor, Johannes Leinbach, Sr., was through
Johannes, Jr. (and his wife Catharine Riehm), John Daniel (member
of the State Assembly from Berks county in 1790), and Christian
(and his wife Susan Althouse).

Picture of George Leinbach At the age of eighteen years George A. Leinbach
enlisted in Company H., 104th P. V. I., being mustered in Sept. 5,
1862. On Oct. 21, 1864, he was promoted to sergeant-major of the
regiment, and he served until this close of the war, receiving his
honorable discharge June 16, 1865. In the fall of the same year Mr.
Leinbach and his brother, Joseph A., formed a partnership and
engaged in the clothing business, continuing thus until the death
of George A. In business circles Mr. Leinbach was known as an
active and progressive man, always able to see an opportunity and
grasp it. His business principles were hard steady work, fair,
square dealing, courteous and gentle manners. The business which he
and his brother started gradually enlarged until their
establishment became the leading and best known clothing house in
the city of Reading.

Mr. Leinbach never took an active part in
politics, but in religious work was very active, being very
charitable, and distributing much in that way. He was a member of
St. Paul’s Reformed Church, and was a member of the Consistory. At
the last session of the General Synod of the Reformed Church before
his death Mr. Leinbach was elected a member of the Board of
Ministerial Relief.

Mr. Leinbach married Miss Emma C. Shartle,
daughter of Benneville and Mary (Shenk) Shartle. She survives her
husband and makes her home in Reading. The only child born to Mr.
and Mrs. Leinbach still surviving is Katharine L, wife of C.
Clarence Long, of Reading, and mother of a son, George Leinbach
Long.

George Leinbach Long, grandson of George A.
Leinbach, possesses a beautiful claw foot Chippendale chair, which
was used by John Daniel Leinbach in the Colonial Assembly which met
at Philadelphia in 1735. The chair was the property of
Pennsylvania, but when Mr. Leinbach’s term of office expired he
bought it and brought it home, and it has since descended to the
nearest and eldest male Leinbach. Its history as printed on the
back of the chair is as follows: “Daniel Leinbach, of
Gilbertsville, Montgomery Co., was a member of the Colonial
Assembly held in the State House of Philadelphia, 1735, and when
his term had expired he bought the chair he had used in the
Assembly from the State as a memento, paying $5.00 for the unique
piece of furniture.”

LEINBACH, JAMES B.

p. 582

Surnames: LEINBACH, BARTO, LERCH, KLEISS, RIEHM, HARTMAN, SNYDER,
RITTER, GLASE, GULDIN, GRIM, HUNTER, WOLF, ERMENTROUT, FELLEN,
HERRMANN, SAILER, GRING, BRUMBACH, MILLER, SNAVELY

James B. Leinbach, a retired citizen residing in Friedensburg, and
one of the best known musicians in Berks county, was born in Oley
township, July 10, 1846, son of Daniel S. and Susanna H. (Barto)
Leinbach, and a member of one of the oldest and most prominent
families of the county.

The earliest known ancestors of the Leinbachs of
Berks county were Henry Leinbach and his wife Barbara Lerch, of
Wetterau, Germany. From them the line of descent to James B.
Leinbach is through Johannes, Sr., and Anna Elizabeth (Kleiss);
Johannes, Jr., and Catharine (Riehm); John Daniel and Mary
Magdalena (Hartman); Benjamin and Catharine (Snyder); and Daniel S.
and Susanna H. (Barto).

Benjamin Leinbach, son of John Daniel, and
grandfather of James B., was born on his father’s homestead in Oley
township, Sept. 25, 1793, and his sponsors were Benjamin and
Margaret Leinbach. He died in Oley Oct. 29, 1851. By trade he was a
tailor, and he followed that occupation in his neighborhood for
many years. In those days it was customary for the tailors to visit
the farmers, and make the clothes for the family. These clothes
were of home spun, the pioneers raising their own flax and weaving
the cloth. Mr. Leinbach was buried at Friedensburg. He was twice
married. His first wife, Catharine Snyder, was a daughter of Daniel
Snyder, of Exeter township. She bore him three sons and two
daughters: Daniel S.; Augustus died without issue; Dr. Benjamin
died without family; Lucy Ann m. Benjamin Ritter, and died leaving
no children; and Hannah m. William Glase, and reared a large
family. Mr. Leinbach m. (second) Catharine Guldin, and two children
were born of this marriage: Sarah died in 1908, aged seventy-six
years, unmarried; and Israel G. died in 1907, aged seventy-two
years, leaving children -Benjamin, Charles and Emma (wife of Aaron
Grim).

Daniel S. Leinbach, son of Benjamin, was born in
Oley township Feb. 24, 1819, and he died Jan. 3, 1881. In his
earlier life he was a farmer, but later became associated as clerk
with B. A. Glase in his large general store. His last years were
passed in Friedensburg and the last year of his life he lived
retired, in the residence now occupied by his son, James B. He
married Susanna H. Barto, daughter of Benjamin and Catharine
(Hunter) Barto. She was born Nov. 16, 1826, and died April 17,
1901. They had one son, James B.

James B. Leinbach was reared under the parental
roof, and obtained his education in Oley Academy under the
instruction of Dr. D. M. Wolf. In 1867, Prof. John S. Ermentrout
licensed him to teach, and for twelve consecutive terms he was in
charge of the Palm school in his native township. When only ten
years of age he began his musical education under Samuel Fellen, a
native German of high ability, and later he passed under the
instruction of Frederick Herrmann, a student of Leipsic University.
In 1867 he began teaching music to the youth of his own district,
having from thirty to forty pupils in Oley and surrounding
townships. Since 1863 he has served as church organist, beginning
that year in Friedens Church in Oley township, and in 1871 he went
to Schwartzwald congregation; from 1875 to 1886 he served the
congregation at New Jerusalem in Rockland township. He has
officiated at more than two thousand funerals. He and his family
belong to the Reformed Congregation at Friedensburg. Since 1893 he
has served as an elder, and in 1908 was made superintendent of the
Sunday school. He has always been active in Sunday school work,
becoming a teacher when he was only fourteen years old. In politics
he is a Republican, and always takes a keen interest in his party’s
welfare.

Since his retirement from active business, he
has devoted his time to the management of his farms. Two of these
came under his supervision through his wife, one in Exeter
containing 135 acres, and one in Spring township, 120 acres.

On May 27, 1875, Mr. Leinbach married Amelia
Sailer, daughter of Adam H. and Mary Ann (Gring) Sailer. Two
children have been born of this union: (1) Clement Waldo, a
graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, class of 1898, taught
school for four terms in the Oley township high school, and since
the spring of 1907 has been connected with A. J. Brumbach’s pants
factory. He m. Chrissie Miller, daughter of Henry Miller, of Monroe
county and has three children: Mary Evelyn, Anna Magdalene and
Margaret Genevieve. (2) Rev. Henry Jerome was educated in Oley
Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, class of 1901, and the
Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church of the United States,
at Lancaster, Pa., graduating in 1904. He was ordained and licensed
the same year at Reading, and for upwards of three years served
Olivet congregation, Reading, but in the fall of 1907 accepted a
call to Jonestown, Lebanon county. He m. Mary Snavely, daughter of
George Snavely, of Spangsville, and has a son, Carl.

LEINBACH, J. CALVIN

p.
1337

Surnames: LEINBACH, LERCH, KLEISS, SCHILLINGER, FREY, RIEHM, GRAUL,
SCHIEFFER, MILLER, OHNMACHT, LERCH, HARTMAN, BOAS, GOSH, MOHN.
KNABB, HERMAN, HARTZ, SMITH, ESTERLY, ALTHOUSE, SHEARER, GRAEFF,
VAN REED, ALEXANDER, POTTEIGER, BEIDLER

J. Calvin Leinbach, who for nearly fifteen years has been engaged
at the hatting trade in West Reading borough, is a native of Bern
township, born April 17, 1855, son of Christian Leinbach, and a
representative of an old German family early settled in Berks
county. The Leinbach family had its early home in the district of
Wetterau, Germany, where the first known ancestor of the Berks
county family was Henry Leinbach, who married Barbara Lerch.

Johannes Leinbach, Sr., son of Henry and
Barbara, was born in Langenselbold, Wetterau, March 9, 1674, and
was baptized by the Reformed pastor. In his native land he was an
organist. On Oct. 2, 1700, he married Anna Elizabeth Kleiss. He
came to Pennsylvania Sept. 11, 1723, with his three sons and two
daughters: Frederic, Henry, John, Joanna Maria and Maria Barbara.
Mrs. Anna Elizabeth (Kleiss) Leinbach was born in Eidengup,
Wetterau, Feb. 2, 1680, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth
(Schillinger) Kleiss, and was baptized in the Lutheran faith, to
which her parents adhered. Johannes Leinbach, Sr., was a
“vorsteher” of the Oley congregation, into which office he was
inducted April 9, 1742.

Frederic Leinbach, son of Johannes, Sr., was
born in Hochstadt, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, July 15, 1703, and
was baptized by the Reformed pastor, Rev. Bender. He was a tailor
by trade. On June 2, 1737, he married Elizabeth Frey, of Skippack,
who was born there July 1, 1719, and was baptized by Count
Zinzendorf May 6, 1742.

Johannes Leinbach, Jr., son of Johannes, Sr.,
was born in Hochstadt Feb. 13, 1712. He accompanied his parents to
Pennsylvania in 1723, and settled as a farmer. On Aug. 12, 1735 he
married Catharine Riehm, of Muddy Creek, and they had eleven
children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Frederic,
John, Louis, Abraham, Benjamin, Joseph, Elizabeth, Maria Barbara,
Johanna and Catharine.

John Daniel Leinbach, son of Johannes, Jr., and
Catharine (Riehm) Leinbach, died in Oley April 8, 1817, aged
seventy-one years, two months, nineteen days. On Nov. 9, 1768, he
married Catharine Graul, who died April 6, 1783, the mother of six
children: Salome, born March 9, 1771, sign of the Goat; Maria
Sybilla, born Nov. 17, 1773, sign of the Goat; Susanna, born Nov.
1, 1775, sign of Waterman; John (Johannes), born April 3, 1778,
sign of Cancer (sponsor, John Leinbach); John Henry, born Aug. 29,
1780, sign of the Virgin (sponsors John Schieffer and wife); and
John Daniel, born June 21, 1783, sign of the Ram (sponsors, Philip
Miller and wife). John Daniel Leinbach married a second time, and
this wife bore him two children. Abraham, born March 8, 1787, sign
of the Scorpion (sponsors Mr. Ohnmacht and wife); and Catharine,
born June 9, 1788, sign of the Virgin (sponsor, Catharine Lerch).
In 1789 John Daniel Leinbach married (third) Mary Magdalena
Hartman, and the children of this marriage were: Jacob, born Sept.
24, 1790; Christian, born Nov. 24, 1791 (sponsors, Christian Gosh
and wife); Benjamin, born Sept. 26, 1793 (sponsors, Benjamin and
Margaret Leinbach); Joseph, born Aug. 12, 1795, died Nov. 6, 1795;
William, born Aug. 27, 1796 (sponsor, Pastor Boas); Samuel, born
April 14, 1798 (sponsors, Daniel Hartman and Maria Lerch); Maria
Magdalena, born April 21, 1800 (sponsor, Maria Magdalena Hartman);
Thomas H., born Jan. 18, 1802 (sponsors, Peter Mohn and wife,
Magdalena); Salome, born Feb. 25, 1804, died in early youth
(sponsors, John Knabb and wife, Salome); Frederick, born Aug. 9,
1807 (sponsors, Frederick Ohnmacht and wife); Solomon, born June 9,
1809 (sponsor, Rev. Boas); Rachel, born April 14, 1813, died May
10, 1815; and Charles, born Nov. 7, 1815 (sponsor, Rev. Frederick
Herman, Jr., who baptized him).

William Leinbach, son of John Daniel, born Aug.
27, 1796, became an extensive land owner along the western side of
the Schuylkill river, and he owned the land now embraced in West
Reading borough. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a leading
man of his day. He is buried in the family plot in the Charles
Evans cemetery. His children were: Christian R.; Priscilla, who
married Joseph Hartz; Maria, who married John Miller; Levi and
Enoch, twins; Simon, who died young; and Ellen, who married George
Smith, of Pottstown.

Christian R. Leinbach, son of William, was born
in Spring township, near the Penn street bridge. He followed
farming as a vocation, and also for about twenty years was a paper
manufacturer. His industry and close attention to business won him
a fair fortune. He was a man of wide acquaintance, and he was
highly respected for his many good qualities. In his political
tendencies he was a Republican, and his fraternal connection was
with the Odd Fellows. With his family he belonged to Kissingers
Union Church. His remains rest in the Charles Evans cemetery. His
wife was Catharine Esterly, daughter of Amos Esterly. Their
children were: William, of West Reading; Annie, who married Peter
A. Althouse, of Reading; Clara, who married Levi Shearer, of
Reading Frank, a farmer of Bern township; J. Calvin; Catharine,
deceased wife of Charles Graeff, of Reading; and Timothy, a
bookkeeper of Reading.

J. Calvin Leinbach, son of Christian R., worked
on his father’s farm, and in his paper mill until he was of age. In
1877 he took a trip to Indiana and Illinois, where he worked at
farm work, but a year later he returned home and entered the Van
Reed Paper Mill, situated along the Tulpehocken. Here he worked for
Mr. Charles L. Van Reed for seventeen years, his long term of
service being the best evidence of his ability. In the spring of
1893 he came to West Reading, and has since made it his home.
Previous to his removal here he had erected a commodious two and
one-half story brick residence at No. 526 Penn avenue. After coming
to West Reading he learned the hatting trade at the E. W. Alexander
Hat Company, and there he has continued to the present time.

Mr. Leinbach has always been an active
Republican. For three years he served Spring township with great
credit as school director. When West Reading was incorporated as a
borough he was chosen by the people to serve as one of the first
school directors. He has taken a keen interest in the schools, and
his sound practical judgment has had much to do with the efficiency
of the system in his district. His social connections are with the
Wyomissing Council, Royal Arcanum, No. 1584, in which he is a
charter member; Reading Castle, No. 40, K. G. E.; and No. 500, P.
O. S. of A., Reading. He belongs to Sinking Spring Reformed Church.

On March 4, 1882, Mr. Leinbach married Annie C.
Potteiger, daughter of Levi and Barbara (Beidler) Potteiger, of
Spring township. They have had two children: Warren C., a
machinist, who has now taken up electrical engineering; and J.
Lester, who died aged five years.

Transcriber’s Note:

John Daniel Leinbach married
Nov. 9, 1768 Catharine Graul, “who died April 6, 1783.” John
Daniel, son of John Daniel and Catharine Graul Leinbach, was “born
June 21, 1783.” (Barbara)

LEINBACH, JONATHAN G.

p.
720

Surnames: LEINBACH, GULDIN, LEVAN, BRUMBACH, FISHER, SHOUSE, DAVIS,
SHADEL, REIFF, BURKHART

Jonathan G. Leinbach, of Reading, senior member of the J. G.
Leinbach Company, comes of an old Berks county family. He was born
near Leesport, June 14, 1837, son of Frederick and Maria (Guldin)
Leinbach.

Frederick Leinbach, the father, was born in
Berks county. While he thoroughly learned the blacksmith’s trade
and followed it more or less all his life, he also engaged in
farming near Leesport, giving the major part of his time to this
work. Later in life his farming interests were all in Exeter
township. He died in Reading at the age of fifty-seven years, and
his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Guldin, lived to the age of
sixty. Only five of their family still survive, namely; Daniel,
Albert, Mahlon, Jonathan G. and Mary, the latter being now the
widow of James Levan, and a resident of Reading.

Picture of Jonathan Leinbach Jonathan G. Leinbach acquired most of his education
in the public schools of Exeter township, and then began helping
his father in the blacksmith shop. His inclination for a commercial
career early showed itself, however, and when but eleven years of
age he obtained a position with William Brumbach, a manufacturer of
cloth, and remained with him for several years. He left that work
to go to York, Pa., to run a woolen-mill, and spent two years
there, after which he returned to Reading and entered the employ of
the Wyomissing Woolen Company in their factory on South Fifth
street. This occupied his attention for two years, with a break of
ten months when he was in the army during the Civil war. In 1862 he
enlisted in Company I, 128th Pa. V. I., and during his term of
enlistment he saw considerable active service. He was taken
prisoner at Chancellorsville and incarcerated for a time in the
famous Libby prison.

Mr. Leinbach’s first connection with the Reading
Woolen Mills was as manager under Mr. Fisher, and later under
Robert M. Shouse. In 1867 he was taken into partnership, and the
firm name became R. M. Shouse & Co. They did a considerable
business then, employing fifty hands and having an annual
production valued at $100,000. Their association continued until
1875, when Mr. Leinbach became for a short time the sole owner. But
he very soon formed a partnership with Aaron S. Leinbach and
William F. P. Davis, under the firm name of J. G. Leinbach &
Co. A little later John Shadel was added to the firm, while in 1887
the personnel was again changed by the death of Mr. Davis, whose
interest was purchased by Mr. Leinbach. Two years later the firm
was enlarged by taking in three of Mr. Leinbach’s brothers, Daniel,
Albert and Mahlon, and in 1893 was inaugurated the policy of giving
an interest in the business to certain of the older employes, who
had been in the factory from twenty to thirty years. This is the
only enterprise in Reading in which the hands have been permitted
to share in the profits, and the benefits resulting from this
generosity of the employers have been mutual. The only surviving
members of the old firm are Mr. Leinbach and his three brothers,
and the former has carried less of the responsibility for the last
few years, as in 1903 the business was incorporated with Mr.
Leinbach as president; A. E. Leinbach, vice-president; and S. W.
Reiff, secretary and treasurer.

When the firm was organized in 1875 additional
ground was purchased, improvements made in the plant, and new
machinery introduced. Liberality in these respects has always
marked the management of the factory, and it has been maintained
constantly at a high level of equipment. In 1903 an addition 50×120
feet, four stories in height, was erected. More than two hundred
hands are now required in the operation. The manufacture of jeans
has been discontinued since 1880, and the product is now entirely
woolen and union goods. The volume of business has steadily
increased, and the goods, having a superior reputation, are sold
all over the United States, after being manufactured into pants and
vests. Much of the success achieved is due to the efforts of Mr. J.
G. Leinbach and his able assistants, whose progressive spirit,
enterprise and liberal policy have ever been apparent in the
conduct of the business.

Mr. Leinbach’s other interests are large and
varied; among them may be mentioned the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad
company, of which he has been president since 1897, and the East
Reading Railroad, of which he is vice-president. He is a director
of the Second National Bank, and one of the organizers and
directors of the Reading Cold Storage Company. He is one of
Reading’s prominent citizens, not only because of his own large
business interests, but also because of his public spirit and
liberal attitude toward all good causes. For eleven years he served
in the common and select councils, and in 1897 was a candidate for
mayor. Although the city of Reading was normally Democratic at that
time by over six hundred, Mr. Leinbach lost by the small margin of
163 votes -a remarkable demonstration of popularity. Both he and
his wife are members and liberal supporters of the Reformed Church.

In 1865 Mr. Leinbach married Amanda E. Burkhart,
daughter of John W. Burkhart, and to this union was born one son,
Frederick who died in childhood.

LEINBACH,
JOSEPH L.

p. 1519

Surnames: LEINBACH, LORD, STITZEL, HAGEY, SUMMONS, UNGER, CHRIST,
REBER

Joseph L. Leinbach, one of Reading’s good, reliable citizens and
enterprising business men, who is carrying on a thriving plumbing
and steam-heating business at No. 420 North Sixth street, was born
in Fleetwood, Pa., Nov. 2, 1877, son of Jonas L. and Harriet (Lord)
Leinbach.

As Joseph L. Leinbach was but ten years of age
when his father died, he knows little about the latter, except that
he was employed in the passenger department shops of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, and that later he engaged at
farming on one of Judge Stitzel’s farms at Fleetwood. Jonas L.
Leinbach died aged seventy-two years, and his wife when sixty-two
years old, their children being: Jonas; Henry; Joseph; Minnie;
Nora; Lillie; Alice and Laura. The parents of these children were
Lutherans in their religious belief, and Mr. Leinbach was a
Democrat.

Joseph L. Leinbach received his literary
training in the schools of Fleetwood, and when twelve years of age
came to Reading, here finding employment in the polishing and
plating department of the National Brass Works. Afterward he was
employed by Leinbach & Bros., clothiers. He later apprenticed
himself to learn the plumbing trade with G. A. Hagey, at No. 40
North Sixth street, and after completing his term of apprenticeship
worked four years as a journeyman. He was later engaged with E. S.
Summons and in 1904 he went to Lebanon, Pa., taking charge of
George C. Unger’s plumbing and steam-fitting establishment until
1905, when he returned to Reading and engaged in business on his
own account at No. 428 North Sixth street, remaining there about
eight months. He then removed to his present location, No. 420,
where can be found a complete line of goods. He employs four men
the year around and during the busy season is compelled to employ
extra workmen. Mr. Leinbach makes a specialty of jobbing and
repairing and guarantees satisfaction in every case.

In 1899 Mr. Leinbach married Mary E. Christ,
daughter of Jonathan and Isabella (Reber) Christ, and to this union
there have been born three children: Forest, Clarence and Paul. In
religious belief Mr. Leinbach and his wife are members of the
Reformed Church. He is fraternally identified with the Eagles, I.
O. R. M. and the P. O. S. of A.

LEINBACH, LLEWELLYN

p.
1262

Surnames: LEINBACH, ERMENTROUT, GLASE, HINNERSHITZ, HAINS,
MARQUETTE, RHOADS, WEIDER, GRIESEMER

Llewellyn Leinbach, former teacher and merchant, and present
successful farmer near Oley Line, in Oley township, was born Jan.
13, 1848, son of John and Luisa Leinbach. He assisted on the home
farm and attended the district schools in his boyhood. He pursued
his higher education in Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College, at
Collegeville, and he was licensed to teach by Prof. John S.
Ermentrout, then county superintendent. In 1869 he taught his first
term in Alsace township, at a salary of twenty dollars per month,
the term consisting of four months. He taught in all four terms,
two in Alsace and two in Exeter, and then began his mercantile
experience as a clerk in the general store of B. A. Glase, at
Friedensburg, where he remained two years. He then came to Oley
Line, and associated with O. H. Hinnershitz, engaged in the general
merchandise business, and at the same time conducted the hotel.
This partnership continued four years, when, owing to ill health,
Mr. Leinbach was obliged to retire, his partner continuing the
business. Mr. Leinbach moved to Amity township, and there lived on
one farm for seven years, and for twenty-two years he lived on the
farm of Mary W. Hains, and has continued as manager of her farm. In
1891 he bought his present home farm near Oley Line, this being the
homestead of his father-in-law, Samuel Marquette. The tract
consists of eighty-eight acres of good land. Mr. Leinbach devotes
considerable time to the raising of truck, which he markets in
Pottstown. In politics Mr. Leinbach is a Republican. He and his
family all belong to the Reformed Church at Amityville, in which he
has been deacon, and an elder since 1888.

In 1874 Mr. Leinbach was married to Eliza A.
Marquette, and six children have been born to this union: William
J., a carpenter and farmer in Amityville, m. Maud Rhoads; Samuel m.
Jennie Weider, and assists on the home farm; Walter is at home;
Lottie M. m. George B. Griesemer, a merchant at Spangsville;
Sallie, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of
1907, is a teacher in the public schools; and Paul R. died in 1891
at the age of two and one-half years.

LEINBACH, MAHLON A.

p.
1211

Surnames: LEINBACH, GULDIN, BRUMBACH, ADAM, KOLLER

Mahlon A. Leinbach, now living retired in Reading, is a native of
Berks county, born in Bern township April 14, 1840, son of
Frederick and Maria (Gouldin) Leinbach. He attended the public
schools of Exeter township, and for a few years was employed on the
farm. He then entered the woolen mills of William Brumbach, where
he was employed for the long period of sixteen years. At the end of
that time he went to his brother, J. G. Leinbach, with whom he was
engaged until 1904, when he gave up active work. He was an expert
mechanic, and for forty-two years was in charge of the weave room.
His present home is at No. 311 South Fourth street, Reading.

Mr. Leinbach was married Jan. 13, 1861, to Miss
Mary Ellen Adam, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Koller) Adam, and to
this union were born seven children, two of whom are still
living-A. Ellsworth and Charles E.-and those deceased were: Jacob
A., Rosie, Irvin M., Sallie M. and Annie L.

Mr. Leinbach is a consistent member of the
Reformed Church. Socially he is identified with Lodge No. 115, B.
P. O. E. of Reading, and is very popular among his fellow members.
In 1904 Mr. Leinbach and his wife and his brother J. G. Leinbach
and his wife, made a tour of the western States, spending some
seven weeks in California.

LEINBACH, PETER M.

p. 862

Surnames: LEINBACH, LERCH, KLEISS, RIEHM, HARTMAN, ALTHOUSE,
MILLER, GRAUL, KNABB, DECHERT, REBER, VAN REED, LEINBACH, KALBACH,
BRUNNER, LUFT

Peter M. Leinbach, one of the most prominent citizens of Bern
township, Berks county, was born on the old Leinbach homestead,
where he still resides, Oct. 28, 1855, son of William A. Leinbach,
and member of an old family of this section of Pennsylvania.

The first know ancestor of the Leinbachs was
Henry, of Langen-Weibolt, Wetterau, Germany, who married Barbara
Lerch. From this worthy German couple the line to Peter M. is
through Johannes Leinbach and Anna Elizabeth Kleiss; Johannes
Leinbach, Jr., and Catharine Riehm; John Daniel Leinbach and his
third wife, Mary Magdalena Hartman; Christian Leinbach and Susanna
Althouse; and William A. and Mary Ann Miller. (The earlier
generations are given in detail in the sketch of the Leinbach
family elsewhere in this publication.)

John Daniel Leinbach, second son of Johannes,
Jr., was born in 1746, and he died in Oley, April 8, 1817. He owned
the farm, later the property of Jeremiah Hartman, former county
commissioner, who is buried at Spies’s Church. John Daniel Leinbach
was married three times. On Nov. 9, 1768, he married Catharine
Graul, who died April 6, 1783, the mother of six children: Salome,
Maria Sybilla, Susanna, John, John Henry and John Daniel. By his
second wife (name not known) he had two children: Abraham and
Catharine. In 1789, he married (third) Mary Magdalena Hartman, and
their children were: Jacob, Christian, Benjamin, Joseph, William,
Samuel, Maria Magdalena, Thomas H., Salome, Frederick, Solomon,
Rachel, and Charles.

Christian Leinbach, son of John Daniel, was born
Nov. 24, 1791, and he died Oct. 15, 1866. Oley township as his
native home, but he came to Bern township and settled at what is
now Leinbach’s Hotel. He cleared the land and built the first
hotel, a building which is still standing and in good condition.
This hotel, built in 1848, he ran for a few years in connection
with his farm, the latter consisting of about sixty-eight acres. In
politics Mr. Leinbach was an old-line Whig. He was singing master
at Epler’s Church, and taught music. He served as church treasurer
many years. During the war of 1812 he served as a soldier, and
during the last few years of his life received a pension from the
government. He married Susanna Althouse, daughter of Peter Althouse
and wife (whose maiden name was Knabb). She was born June 5, 1801,
and died Feb. 17, 1871. Their Children were: William A.; Elias A.;
Richard A., who living in Wyomissing; Mary, who married Henry Z.
Van Reed; Joseph A; George A., who served three years in the Union
army in the Civil war.

William A. Leinbach, son of Christian, was born
on Aug. 21, 1821, at the old homestead in Bern township. He
attended the local schools, and after acquiring a common school
education engaged in farming. He became the owner of the old
homestead, and he added eighteen acres to the original tract. He
was very successful and he had a high reputation for integrity. He
died June 11, 1890, in the faith of the Reformed Church, in which
he was serving as elder at the time of his death. He had served as
a member of the building committee of the church. In politics he
was a Republican, and assisted on the election board. He married
Mary Ann Miller, daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Luft) Miller, of
Sinking Spring. They had two sons: (1) Wellington, born Oct. 20,
1951, and now engaged in the real estate business in Reading,
married Emma Kalbach, and has three children — Paul K., Wayne K.
and Mark K.; and (2) Peter M.

Peter M. Leinbach, son of William A., attended
the schools of Bern township and Prof. D. B. Brunner’s College at
Reading. He was licensed to teach by Prof. Brunner in 1872, but
never engaged in teaching. He remained with his father until the
latter’s death, when he bought all his land in Bern township, and
also the estate of Elias Leinbach, his uncle, consisting of the
well known Leinbach’s Hotel, woodland and farm land consisting of
fifty acres. He has in all about 140 acres besides the hotel farm,
and is among the most progressive farmers of the county. In 1899 he
sold off all his stock, and moved to a private residence on the
farm which was the home of his father. He has taken a prominent
part in a number of enterprises and progressive movements in the
county. He is a director and large stock holder of the Crystal
Palace Public Market House Company of Reading, Pa. In politics he
is a Republican, and for nine years served as school director,
during which time he was secretary of the board. At the present
time he is a member of the township committee, in which office he
has served three years. He belongs to Epler’s Reformed Church, in
which he is elder and been deacon. In his younger days he took an
active part in the Sunday-school, and taught a class of young men
— a duty his son now fulfills.

On March 18, 1880, Mr. Leinbach was married to
Mary E. Reber, born Sept. 26, 1854, daughter of Benneville and
Ellen (Dechert) Reber, of Bern township, the latter a sister of the
late Adam Dechert. To this marriage has come one son, Ammon Reber,
born Aug. 4, 1887, who graduated from the Keystone State Normal
School, and is now engaged in teaching the Mine Hole school.