Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

LEADER, ADAM
H.

p. 594

Surnames: LEADER, HERB, HOMAN, ROLAND, FISHER

Adam H. Leader, one of Reading’s successful business men, has been
prominent in public life as well, having in 1896 become city
comptroller, and later mayor. He was born March 22, 1867, in
Reading, son of Jacob and Sarah (Herb) Leader.

Jacob Leader, grandfather of Adam H., was born
in Montgomery county, Pa, whence he removed to Bern township, Berks
county, and later to Reading, where he died.

Jacob Leader, son of Jacob, was born in Bern
township in 1838, and in 1850 located in Reading, where the rest of
his life was spent at the molder’s trade. He was a stanch
Republican, but never cared for public office. His religious belief
was that of the Covenant Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he
was a trustee. Mr. Leader married Sarah Herb, born in 1840, and
four children were born to this union, namely: Adam H.; Sadie M.,
m. to Irwin B. Homan, of Reading; and J. Elmer and Harry R.,
machinists of Reading.

Adam H. Leader received his education in the
public and high schools of Reading, graduating in 1884 from the
latter at the age of seventeen years. He learned surveying, and was
engaged therein for about seven years, at the end of which time he
entered the real estate field, in which he has been eminently
successful. In 1889 Mr. Leader formed a partnership with Mr. H. H.
Roland, and continued this business for a period of twelve
years.

Mr. Leader’s political affiliations are with
the Republican party, in the ranks of which he has been a stanch
and steady standard bearer. In 1893 he was elected to the office of
city assessor for a term of three years, and he was subsequently
placed in charge of the finances of the city, being elected to the
position of comptroller, for also one term of three years.

In 1899 he was elected mayor of the city of
Reading, and served a full term, until April, 1902, after which he
entered the contracting field, his principal business being
municipal work such as street paving and the construction of sewers
and filtration plants, and he is now building a water filtering
plant (known as the Burkhart plant) for the city of Reading.
Fraternally Mr. Leader is connected with Reading Lodge No. 549, F.
& A. M., and Progressive Lodge, I. O. O. F.

On June 23, 1898, Mr. Leader married Mary K.
Fisher, daughter of Wellington H. and Caroline Fisher, of
Reading.

LEAVER, EFFINGER W.

p.
1237

Surnames: LEAVER, WEIDNER, L?ER, KERLIN, LEOPOLD, ALLBRIGHT,
BRUNNER, WILL, FRITZ, LANDIS, RIEGNER, JOHNSON, HUNTER, SMITH,
WAGNER, DRY, MORY, RITTER

Effinger W. Leaver, lumber, coal, flour, feed and hardware merchant
at Boyertown, Pa., was born Sept. 5, 1855, in Earl township Berks
Co., Pa., a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Weidner) Leaver.

The Leaver family is of Germanic extraction and
established in Douglass township, Berks Co., Pa., by Jacob L, who
had three sons. Johannes or John Leaver, the grandfather of
Effinger W., was born Dec. 26, 1778, and died Jan. 19, 1846, aged
sixty-seven years, twenty-three days. He is buried at Boyertown and
the name on his tombstone is written Johannes L. He owned a small
tract of land in Douglass township and worked at his trade,
weaving. In March, 1803, he married Catherine Kerlin, daughter of
Samuel and Mary Kerlin, born Jan. 11, 1784, died Nov. 7, 1864, aged
eighty years, ten months, twenty-six days. The inscription on the
tombstone of herself and husband, in the Boyertown cemetery, states
that they had two sons and seven daughters. The names of eight
children are appended: Lydia, m. Charles Leopold; Sarah, m. Jacob
Allbright; Mary, m. Samuel Brunner; Samuel; John, who lived and
died in Ohio; Kate, m. Elias Will of Washington township; Hettie,
m. Levi Fritz; and Elizabeth, who died unmarried. All of the above
family are deceased with the exception of Kate, who survives (1908)
aged eighty-four years.

Samuel Leaver was born Dec. 21, 1810 in Douglass
township, Berks Co., Pa., and died at Boyertown, on Christmas
morning, 1881, aged seventy-one years, four days. His remains rest
in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown. For a number of years he engaged
in mercantile pursuits at New Berlinville and he operated the
lumber yard at Boyertown that is now conducted by his sons. He was
a successful business man and a respected member of his community.
In addition to his own home he owned other real estate at
Boyertown. In religious faith he was a Lutheran and he brought his
family up under strict discipline. In politics a Democrat, he was
frequently elected by that party to local offices and served with
intelligence and honesty.

Samuel Leaver was married (first) to Elizabeth
Weidner, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Landis) Weidner, of Earl
township. She was born Nov. 13, 1820, and died in November, 1864,
aged forty-four years. They had the following children: Mary m.
Frank G. Riegner, of Reading; Kate, who resides with her sister
Emma at Boyertown; Henry, deceased; Jacob, who lives at Roxboro,
Pa.; Ellen, who perished in the Boyertown fire, Jan. 13, 1908, m.
Ephraim B. Johnson; Emma; Effinger W.; John, who resides at
Boyertown; Clara, a popular and efficient teacher, who perished in
the holocaust at Boyertown, Jan. 13, 1908; and Laura, m. George Z.
Hunter, a teacher residing at Ephrata. Mr. Leaver was married
(second) to Mrs. Anna (Smith) Wagner, and they had one daughter,
Anna, wife of John Dry, residing at Boyertown.

Effinger W. Leaver was given good educational
advantages and early became a helper to his father in his store and
in 1883 he took charge of the business, having been trained in it
from the age of fifteen years. He gives employment to seven people
and has two teams in use in his coal industry and one in his lumber
business. His yards are conveniently located close to the railroad
station, covering almost a block. He has an interest n other
concerns and is a director in the Union Manufacturing Company of
Boyertown.

In 1879 Mr. Leaver was married to Sarah Mory,
daughter of Aaron Mory, a resident of Boyertown. Mr. And Mrs.
Leaver had three children born to them, namely: Warren, serving as
clerk, treasurer and chief bookkeeper in the casket factory, who
married Lizzie Ritter and has two children, Marguerite and Carrol;
Ruth’ and Bessie E. With his family, Mr. Leaver is a member of St.
John’s Lutheran Church and is very active in its affairs..

In his political views Mr. Leaver belongs to the
old Democracy. He has frequently been elected to public office at
Boyertown, has served the borough as auditor and in 1903 he was
elected to the school board, on which he is still servicing. He is
a representative citizen of his section.

LECHNER
FAMILY

p 1297

Surnames: LECHNER, SHIRLEY, BUCK, BAER, DARRAH, LONG, CLAUSER,
BOWMAN, BRUMBACH, SCHAEFFER, HAAS, MERKEL, DRUMHELLER, GRIESEMER,
YAHN, SPATZ, RAHN, PATT, GRAVER

Lechner. (1) The first member of the Lechner family in this country
was a native of Germany, and on coming to Pennsylvania settled in
Macungie township, Lehigh county. As far as known he had but two
sons, George and one who settled in Ohio.

(II) George Lechner came to Berks county, locating in the vicinity
of Monocacy, but later removed to Douglass township, near
Boyertown, He was a skilled veterinarian, whose services were in
demand among farmers within a radius of many miles, in this
connection becoming particularly well known. His death occurred
before the Civil war, when he was eighty-two years of age. He is
buried at Amityville. He married Elizabeth Shirley, who died when
over seventy, and they had children as follow: Harriet m. Samuel
Buck; Sarah m. David Baer; William was of Shanesville; Abraham died
in Schuylkill county, June 26, 1898; Charles, the only one now
surviving, lives with his son-in-law, Daniel A. Darrah, at No. 422
South Tenth street, Reading; and Amelia died young.

(III) William Lechner, father of Wallace L. Lechner, of Oley
township, and son of George, was born in Lower Berks county in
1817, and died in 1890. He was a farmer and later a cattle dealer,
residing at Shanesville, where he owned property and was a
prominent man. There he died, and he is buried at Hillchurch. For a
quarter of a century he served as constable. His wife was Matilda
Long, daughter of Peter and Hannah (Clauser) Long, of Earl
township, and their children were: Amelia m. Samuel Bowman;
Elizabeth m. William Brumbach; Harrison died after his marriage to
Sophia Brumbach, who is now deceased; and Wallace L.

(IV) Wallace L. Lechner was born in Douglass township, this county,
March 31, 1850. Reared on a farm, He engaged in farming, but also
learned cigar-making, at which he worked for a year. His next work
was tending bar at Gilbertsville, where he was employed for three
years, and at Shanesville for two years in the same capacity. Then
he engaged in business as a huckster, for six years buying produce
from the farmers and selling it to Philadelphia dealers. While
engaged in this line he was associated with his brother Harrison,
and they made the trip to Philadelphia once a week. In 1881 Mr.
Lechner removed to his present home, and has since operated his
excellent farm of 114 acres, which is in good condition. His farm
buildings have the distinction of being decorated with picture of
animals. He has quite a dairy business, having twenty-two cows, and
shipping his milk to a nearby creamery. His farm stock is very
valuable and he is making a great success of his agricultural work.

Mr. Lechner is a Republican in politics, and has been school
director of Oley township for six years. He is a member of the P.
O. S. of A. and of the K. G. E., belonging to the Camp and Castle
at Manatawny. He and his family are members of the Oley Lutheran
Church.

The first wife of Mr. Lechner was Kate
Schaeffer, a daughter of George Schaeffer, and she died at the age
of twenty-eight, leaving these children: Warren, of Shanesville;
Frank, of Friedensburg; and Wilson of Boyertown.

In 1882 Mr. Lechner was married to Fannie Haas,
daughter of Nathan and Esther (Merkel) Haas, of Mertztown. Their
children are: Samuel, living at home, m. Katie Drumheller, and has
one daughter, Bertha; Hannah m. Charles Griesemer, and resides at
Reading; and Charles, unmarried, at home.

(III) Charles Lechner, son of George, and father of Hamlin Y.
Lechner, was born June 26, 1830, in Earl township, Berks county,
and there owned a small farm, which he cultivated during his active
years. He now lives retired at Reading with his son-in-law, Daniel
A. Darrah, as previously mentioned. Mr. Lechner married Susan Yahn,
who was born Feb. 15,1831, and died Aug. 1, 1887; she is buried at
Fairview cemetery, Boyertown. Mr. and Mrs. Lechner had the
following children: Abraham never married and his whereabouts
unknown; Alice, born in 1857, died in 1881; Hamlin Y.; Dr. Ralph
(deceased) lived at Boyertown; Dr. Leroy lives at Bechtelsville;
Laura died young; and a daughter died in infancy.

(IV) Hamlin Y. Lechner, who has been engaged in the butcher
business at Boyertown form early manhood, was born in Earl township
Nov. 22, 1860. As he began to learn his trade when fourteen years
old he may truthfully be called a self-made man, for much of his
education has been acquired through his own efforts. He served his
apprenticeship under George K. Spatz, who was his employer for
seven years before they became partners, under the name of Spatz
& Lechner. This connection lasted for sixteen years, since
which time Mr. Lechner has been the sole owner of this well
established business. Mr. Lechner commands an extensive trade,
killing from twenty to thirty head of cattle weekly, and besides
this, during the winter season, from thirty to forty hogs a week.
Three teams are kept constantly busy, the patronage extending over
a large territory outside of Boyertown as well as in the borough.
Mr. Lechner has six regular employees. His shop and slaughter
-house are completely equipped with modern butchering appliances of
all kinds necessary for a business of this size, for Mr. Lechner is
progressive and attentive to the needs of his establishment, which
is well kept up in every respect. He had little to commence life
with , but he has been persevering and industrious, and deserves
the place he has won among the substantial business men of
Boyertown. When he began to prosper he was anxious to have his
family share with him the benefits of his thrift, and he provided
funds for the education of his two younger brothers, both of whom
became professional men. He has also been the main support of his
aged father, and he is a man universally respected for his honor
and sincerity to all the relations of life.

In 1880 Mr. Lechner married Miss Ella Rahn,
daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Patt) Rahn, of Perkiomen,
Montgomery Co., Pa., and four children have been born this union,
as follow: (1) Wayne R. is a graduate of Boyertown high school and
has attended State College, having prepared to follow the
profession of chemist. However, he assists his father with the
clerical work of the business. (2) Mabel R. became the wife of John
Graver, who on the night of Jan. 13, 1908, when the terrible Opera
House catastrophe at Boyertown took place, was killed on his way to
the fire, the fire engine running over him. He left two young sons,
William and John and since his death Mrs. Graver has made her home
with her parents. (3) Clyde was five years old at the time of his
death. (4) Charles died when nine months old.

Mr. Lechner and his family are members of St.
John’s Lutheran church, to which he gives a generous support, being
in fact liberal to all church enterprises, regardless of
denomination. His benevolent disposition was very practically shown
at the time of the disastrous Opera House fire, when he gave freely
to the needy and assisted in every possible manner in the relief
work.

LECHNER,
RICHARD

p. 882

Surnames: LECHNER, WECHLEIM, SPYGER, WERHEIM, ECKHERT, STUPP,
REITH, ILLING, HAIN, HIMMELBERGER, GOCKLEY, McLAUGHLIN, THUMMEL,
PENN, OAKS, CURTIN, GUTHART, DEPPEN

Richard Lechner, whose excellent farm of 113 acres is in Marion
township, Berks, county, is a representative of that industrious
German element that has placed Pennsylvania in the front rank of
the prosperous States of the nation. His birth occurred on his
present farm Dec. 9, 1834.

John George Lechner, the emigrant ancestor of
the family, was born in Anspach, Germany, March 28, 1704 (old
style), son of Peter and Sibilla Lechner. Late in 1731, he sailed
from Rotterdam, Holland, on the “Adventurer,” and he landed in New
York in the early days of 1732. He came to Pennsylvania, and
located near Reed’s Church, on the Tulpehocken and Millback creeks,
purchasing a large tract of land. He died in 1784. He married
Margaretta Wechleim , and both became members of the Second
Lutheran Church in 1743. Their children were: John, who died young;
and George, whose wife was Mary Elizabeth.

The latter George Lechner, son of John George
Lechner and Margaretta, was a soldier in the Revolution, and did
service in the trying campaign around Philadelphia and Valley Forge
in the years 1777-78. He belonged to, and was quartermaster of, the
5th Battalion, composed of eight companies and 442 men, mostly from
the Tulpehocken district, now Marion township, of which regiment
Henry Spyger was colonel. George Lechner and his wife, Mary
Elizabeth, became the parents of three children: George Nickolas,
who had a son John George; John; and Christopher.

Christopher Lechner, son of George, married
Catharine Werheim, and four children were born to them: David, who
married Elizabeth Eckhert and had a daughter Eliza (who married
William Stupp); Elizabeth, who married Michael Reith, and had two
children, Levi and Ellen (who married A. J. Hain); Catharine L.,
who married David Himmelberger and had a son Adam (of Reading); and
John George.

John George Lechner, son of Christopher, married
Catharine Reith , daughter of Stoffel and Catharine (Illig) Reith,
of Marion township, Berks county, and granddaughter of Valentine
Reith. To this union were born six children: (1) Elizabeth married
Samuel D. Gockley, and their daughter Nora is a school teacher in
Marion township. (2) John, a “forty-niner,” died in California soon
after his arrival there. (3) George W. also went to California in
1849, but returned and later went to Denver, Colo., his present
home, and engaged as a civil and mining engineer. He married a Miss
McLaughlin, now deceased, and had four children, Laura, Richard,
Kate and Dolly. (4) Richard. (5) Mary Ann died young. (6) Franklin
C. went to South Carolina, where he is a teller in a bank and
engaged in the raising of tobacco and grapes. He married a Miss
Thummel and had one daughter, Bertha. The father of these children
was an active Republican, and he held a number of minor offices.

Richard Lechner, son of John George, received a
good education in Stouchsburg Academy, and after leaving school
taught twelve winter terms in Lebanon and Berks counties, and then
began farming on the old homestead.

This consists of 113 acres, which were bought by
John George, the emigrant, and George Lechner, his son, and
originally were the property of Thomas and Richard Penn.
Eighty-seven acres of this land have been in the Lechner family for
nearly a century and a half, having passed through five generations
of Lechners, namely: John George, the emigrant; George, the son;
Christopher, son of George; John George, son of Christopher; and
Richard, son of latter and present owner. The house was built in
1775. The early Lechners built a woolen carding mill, the first
mill of any kind in Marion township. They also had an oil mill in
1834. Mr. Richard Lechner owns a large cider press, and has done a
great deal of custom work, frequently having made over one hundred
barrels of cider a day. He came into possession of his property
after the death of his parents. Besides his farming he has had
other business interest. For three years he was a director of the
Sinking Spring Fire Insurance Company, and was recently again
elected to that office to serve for three years, from Jan. 1, 1909.
In 1905 he was its president, and at present (1908) is its
collector.

Mr. Lechner’s religious belief, like that of his
progenitors, was of the Lutheran persuasion. He has served a deacon
and elder in Christ Lutheran Church, near Stouchsburg, but
latterly, though still a nominal member, has become a confirmed
liberal in his religious views-an evolutionist. He does not believe
that the Bible writers were divinely inspired in their erroneous
cosmogonical statements, where they conflict with demonstrated
science and astronomy and the present enlightened higher criticism
on historical and traditional religion. In political sentiment he
is a Republican, and has been inspector of elections and for many
years chairman of the township committee. During the Civil war he
became a member of the State Guard, and rode his own horse to
Chambersburg, where the Guard remained until the emergency was
apparently over. They then returned home, and the attack occurred
on Chambersburg the following week. During Lee’s invasion Mr.
Lechner enlisted at Harrisburg, becoming second lieutenant in
Company H, 31st P. V. I. (Capt. William A. C. Oaks), and was
mustered into the United States service under the proclamation of
the President June 15, 1863 (General Orders No. 43). His commission
was signed by Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, and is dated June 18, 1863. He
was mustered out Aug. 7, 1863. Mr. Lechner is the owner of a
grandfather’s clock, made by Jacob Guthart, of Lebanon, Mass. He
has a secretary made about 1775, and ornamented with inlaid wood;
and also an old corner closet, for which he has been offered a
large sum. Fraternally Mr. Lechner is a Mason, being past master of
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womelsdorf; he is
also past noble grand of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 159, I. O., O., F.,
of Womelsdorf.

Mr. Lechner married Lizzie Deppen, born in
Womelsdorf, Jan. 22, 1842, daughter of Adam Deppen (born in
Womelsdorf Jan. 20, 1817 , died 1845), a shoemaker and farmer. To
this union came children as follows: George, born Dec. 14, 1865, is
a photographer and farmer in Marion township; Harvey, born Oct. 26,
1870, died March 29, 1871; Maud, born March 27, 1874, resides at
home; Paul, born Oct. 27, 1875, died March 6, 1876; Charles, born
April 26, 1877, is at home; and Ella, born Aug. 7, 1883, died Feb.
25, 1892.

LEEDOM,
JOHN

p. 991

Surnames: LEEDOM, STERLING, EVANS, WRIGHT, SHIREY, KANCHER, PIERCE

John Leedom, for a number of years a leading citizen of Reading,
Pa., engaged in pattern-making, was born at Jamisons Corners, Bucks
Co., Pa., in 1812, son of John Leedom and his wife (whose maiden
name was Sterling).

John Leedom learned his trade in Bucks county,
where he worked until 1837, and in this year he located in Reading,
making the trip in a wagon. He entered into a business partnership
with a Mr. Spencer, under the firm name of Spencer & Leedom,
manufacturing farming implements and threshing machines, and t hey
also conducted a branch at Lebanon, Pa. The business was carried on
until the panic of 1842-47, when they suspended business. From that
time until within two years of his death, in 1897, Mr. Leedom
worked at his trade of pattern maker, having charge of the Scott
Foundry pattern department. During the Civil war he drafted and
made plans for cannons used in that struggle for the firm of
Seyfert, McManus & Co. He was a very fine mechanic, and sample
of his handiwork may be seen in the iron fence surrounding the
Charles Evans cemetery.

Mr. Leedom married Louisa A. Wright, daughter of
George Wright, of Bustleton, Pa., and to this union there were
born: Emma m. David Shirey; George W. Was for some time a clerk in
the First National Bank of Reading; John N. M.; Susan J. m. John R.
Kancher, at one time cashier of the First National Bank; Adelaide,
deceased m. Howard Pierce; Edward J. is deceased; Ellen M. Was a
teacher in the primary department of the public schools; Howard M.
Is deceased; and Clara E. In religious connection Mr. Leedom was a
member of St. Peter’s Methodist Church, and a leader of the choir
there for many years.

George W. Leedom first enlisted in the three
months’ service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Company G,
1st Pa. V. I., and after an honorable discharge, re-enlisted in
Company G, 93rd Pa. V. I. After his second discharge he again
enlisted in the 176th regiment, Hospital Corps, serving until the
regiment was mustered out. He again enlisted in the 5th U. S. Vet.
Vol. Inf., and was Hospital Steward of the regiment, serving his
time, and being honorably discharged at the close of the war. He
resides at No. 1567 Mineral Spring Road, Reading.

LEFEVER,
LEVI E.

p. 380

Surnames: LEFEVER, ESBACH, KELLER, SCHMEHL, REAMINGER, HOFFMAN,
GERHART, MOYER, HERBST, RITTER, LEINBACH

Levi E. Lefever, chief burgess of the borough of Boyertown, who
since 1907, has resided in his comfortable and attractive home at
No. 112 Reading avenue, has been long identified with the
agricultural and business interests of this section of Berks
county. He is a representative of one of the old established
families, and was born April 5, 1857, in this borough, son of
William and Rachel (Esbach) Lefever.

Anthony Lefever, great-grandfather of Levi E.,
was born May 12, 1767, and died May 26, 1832, aged sixty-five
years, and fourteen days. The family records tell that his wife was
accidentally burned to death from sparks from the old-fashioned
fireplace. Their children were: Anthony, Levi, Mrs. Charles Keller
and Mrs. Jonas Schmehl, all of whom reared families of their own.

Levi Lefever, son of Anthony and grandfather of
Levi E., was born June 4, 1795, and died an accidental death, Dec.
27, 1832, aged thirty-seven years, six months, twenty-three days
and was buried at Pricetown, Berks Co., Pa. His wife Mary, born
Aug. 6, 1796, died Sept. 10, 1839. He was a tanner and owned and
conducted a business of this kind at Pricetown, where he had other
property. He had two sons: William and Levi H.

William Lefever, father of Levi E., was born
Oct. 26, 1830, at Pricetown, Pa., and resides at Sassamansville, in
Douglass township, Montgomery Co., Pa., a well preserved man. In
his early years he worked as a stone mason, later coming to
Boyertown, where he conducted a farm for his father-in-law, Joseph
Esbach, for a time. He afterward entered into partnership with his
brother. He afterward entered into partnership with his brother,
Levi H. Lefever, and they conducted a general store at
Sassamansville for a number of years, after which they sold out,
Levi H. coming to Boyertown, where he conducts a general store, but
William remained at the old place and continued storekeeping for a
time, and then began cigar manufacturing together with farming. He
did a large business and continued active in it until 1905, when he
retired. He married Rachel Esbach, and to them were born twelve
children, as follows: Minerva m. John Reaminger, of Boyertown; Levi
E.; Mary m. Harry Hoffman, of Reading; Irwin, deceased, m. Maria
Gerhart, and they had three children, Eaton, John and Lottie;
Amandus resides at East Greenville, Pa.; Amanda m. Rev. Harrison
Moyer, a minister in Carbon county; Kate m. Rev. Amandus Herbst, of
York county, Pa.; Dr. Rufus E. is engaged in medical practice in
Reading; Emma died young; and three died in infancy. Mr. Lefever
has long been a leading citizen of his community, and he has been
frequently appointed administrator to settle up estates.

Levi E. Lefever attended the public schools of
Boyertown and Mount Pleasant Seminary, and when sixteen years of
age learned the tinsmith’s trade, serving an apprenticeship of four
years. He worked at this trade at Boyertown until 1878, and then
embarked in a business of his own as a tinsmith and handler of
stoves, etc., which he continued for twenty-eight years. His whole
attention, however, was not claimed by this enterprise for he owns
a fine farm of ninety-nine acres, situated in Earl township, three
and one-half miles northeast of Boyertown, the work on which he
superintends personally. He has it well stocked and it is a
remunerative piece of property. In 1905 he erected the present
frame house which replaced a log house that had stood since the
days of the Revolutionary War. Mr. Lefever is treasurer of the
Electric Light Company, of which he was one of the organizers and
which was chartered in July, 1908. Since 1906 he has been president
of the Keystone Fire Insurance Company and to al these important
business interests he gives due attention.

In 1878, Mr. Lefever was married to Rosa Ann
Ritter, daughter of Lewis Ritter, of Colebrookdale township, and to
this marriage have been born the following children: Charles,
resides at Boyertown; Addie M., who perished in the Boyertown fire,
Jan. 13, 1908, was the beloved wife of Harry Leinbach, and she left
two children, Florence and Paul; Edgar resides at Boyertown; Maggie
also perished in the Boyertown disaster, aged twenty-one years;
Joseph died in 1904, aged twelve years; and Florence resides at
home. Mr. Lefever and family are members of St. John’s Lutheran
Church, at Boyertown.

Mr. Lefever has been active for many years in
fraternal organizations, and on various occasions has been elevated
to offices of trust and responsibility in the same. He is a member
of Salah Castle, No. 78, Knights of the Mystic Chain, in which he
has held all the offices. Since 1900 he has been chaplain of
Popodickon Tribe, No. 388, Order of Red Men, is district deputy,
and has held all the offices in the organization. He is the degree
master of the staff, is past grand and also degree master of
Boyertown Lodge, No. 708, I. O. O. F.; and belongs also to the
order of Eagles, at Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

In his political affiliations Mr. Lefever is
frankly and unequivocally a Republican, and has frequently served
as a delegate to county and State and conventions and for twelve
years served as inspector of elections and committeeman at
Boyertown. For three years he served as a school director and has
always been interested in public education. When only twenty-three
years old, Mr. Lefever was elected to the council and served his
term of three years, and in February, 1909, was elected chief
burgess for a term of three years. He stands as a representative of
the best citizenship of his community.

LeFEVRE, R. E.(M.
D.), p., 1377

Surnames: LeFEVRE, DENGLER

R. E. LeFevre, M. D., of Reading, was born in Montgomery county,
Pa., in 1876, son of William H. LeFevre, a prominent cigar
manufacturer of Montgomery county.

The Doctor spent his early school days in his
native county, and in 1894 entered Ursinus College, from which he
was graduated two years later, when he entered the Medical College
of Philadelphia, being graduated in 1900. He at once located at
Boyertown, attaining a large practice, and winning the confidence
and patronage of a large number of people. In November, 1905, the
Doctor located in Reading, where he is now enjoying a large and
lucrative practice. He is located at No. 138 South Eighth street,
where he has commodious and well-appointed offices.

Dr. LeFevre married Miss Jennie C. Dengler,
daughter of William and Mary Dengler, of Birdsboro, Berks county,
and they are members of the Lutheran Church. Dr. LeFevre is
fraternally connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Red
Men, the Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Friendship. He is a member
of the Reading Medical Society, the Berks County Medical Society,
the Pennsylvania State Medical Association and the American Medical
Association. He is a charter member of Isaac Hiester Lodge. No.
660, F. & A. M.