Isaac Van Leer

Isaac Van Leer
Born(1772-01-07)January 7, 1772
Easttown Township, Province of Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 10, 1821(1821-08-10) (aged 49)
Dickson, Tennessee
OccupationIronmaster
SpouseElizabeth Culbertson
ChildrenWayne, Linford, Margaret, Hannah
Parent(s)Samuel Van Leer
Hannah Wayne
RelativesAnthony Wayne[1] (uncle)
Anthony Wayne Van Leer (brother)
Bernardhus Van Leer (grandfather)
Isaac Wayne (grandfather)

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.

Biography

Van 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

  1. ^ a b "GENERATION 8.6 – Sixth child of Bernardhus Van Leer". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b Nagy, John C. "History of Hibernia Iron Works". www.tehistory.org. Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Forges and Furnaces Collection" (PDF). www.hsp.org. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b "GENERATION 9.2 – Second child of Samuel Van Leer". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  5. ^ Fannin County Folks & Facts. Bonham, Texas: Fannin County Historical Commission. 1977. p. 366. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. ^ 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.