Isaac Van Leer (January 7, 1772 – August 10, 1821) was a Pennsylvania ironmaster and owned the Hibernia Furnace, Springton Forge and historic Hibernia House in West Caln Township, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the influential Van Leer family and was the son of Samuel Van Leer, a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Isaac Van Leer | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 7, 1772 |
| Died | August 10, 1821 (aged 49) |
| Occupation | Ironmaster |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Culbertson |
| Children | Wayne, Linford, Margaret, Hannah |
| Parent(s) | Samuel Van Leer Hannah Wayne |
| Relatives | Anthony Wayne[1] (uncle) Anthony Wayne Van Leer (brother) Bernardhus Van Leer (grandfather) Isaac Wayne (grandfather) |
Biography
editVan Leer was born in 1772 in Easttown Township in the Province of Pennsylvania to Samuel and Hannah (Wayne) Van Leer. His father Samuel Van Leer, served as a captain during the American Revolutionary War.[1]
In 1814, Van Leer purchased land and the Hibernia Iron Works in West Caln Township, Pennsylvania.[2] He also owned the Springton Forge in West Nantmeal Township, Pennsylvania.[3] In 1815 he purchased the Hibernia House and lived there.[4] In 1816, he declared bankruptcy and gave the Springton Forge property to his wife's family in order to settle his debts. In 1817, he sold the Hibernia location at a financial loss due to flooding damage.[2]
On April 17, 1800, he married Elizabeth Culbertson and together they had four children - Wayne, Linford, Margaret and Hannah. All children would own or be involved with the iron industry, except Lindford who died as a child from a fall. Unlike most of his family, Isaac was a Presbyterian.[4]
His son, Wayne, moved to Texas in the 1800s[5] and enlisted with the Union Army during the American Civil War at age 15.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "GENERATION 8.6 – Sixth child of Bernardhus Van Leer". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b Nagy, John C. "History of Hibernia Iron Works". www.tehistory.org. Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "Forges and Furnaces Collection" (PDF). www.hsp.org. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b "GENERATION 9.2 – Second child of Samuel Van Leer". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ Fannin County Folks & Facts. Bonham, Texas: Fannin County Historical Commission. 1977. p. 366. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ Smith Futhey, J. (2007). "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical". History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical. pp. 752–753. ISBN 9780788443879.