John Leinbach ^{1 2 3 4 5}

   Another name for John was Johannes Leinbach.¹

   FamilySearch ID: LHDB-VGF.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1850 in Exeter Twp., Berks, PA. The 1850 census recorded John Leinbach, 72, living in the household of Samuel Traxel, laborer, 28; his wife Ann, 23; and May, 2 months old when the census was recorded on 15 Aug 1850. Also in this household are Samuel Leinbach, 36; his wife Louisa, 29; Tyler, 8; Kitty, 7; Dallas, 5; Lleuellen, 2; Mary A., 12 months. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. Samuel Traxel had a real estate value of $820 and Samuel Leinbach $750, so both had a home on this tract, which is likely the original homestead of the elder John.

2. Census in 1860 in Exeter Twp., Berks, PA. ⁶ The 1860 census recorded John Leinbach, 82, living in the household of John Leinbach, farm laborer, 46; his wife Louesa, 40; Mary A., 10; Amanda, 8; Louesa, 5; and Albert, 1. John's real estate is valued at $1000. Next door is Samuel Troxel, farm laborer, 38, and his wife Nancy, 32; Mary, 10; Franklin, 8; Sarah, 6; William, 4; and John, 1. Troxe's real estate is worth $600. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office was Stonersville.

3. Book: Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, 1909. ¹
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' 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 practicing physician in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

John (Johannes) Leinbach, eldest son of John Daniel, born in Oley April 3, 1778, 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' 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' 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.

John married Elizabeth Kleiss.