Joseph Leas ^{2 3}

  General Notes:

http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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PART II.

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

422 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JOSEPH LEAS, justice of the peace, Mechanicsburg, was born on his
father's farm in Greenwood Township, Perry Co., Penn., January 27,
1822, son of Benjamin and Jane (Mathews) Leas. Benjamin Leas, born
October 21, 1759, was twice married; on first occasion to Miss Susannah
Bowers, by whom he had thirteen children, seven sons and three
daughters living to be men and women. His first wife died March 14,
1814, and he then married Mrs. Jane (Mathews) Purcell, who bore him
three children - two sons and one daughter: George, who resides in
Shirleysburg, Huntingdon Co., Penn.; Joseph, our subject, and Susannah,
widow of Daniel Eshelman, residing in Greenwood Township, Perry Co.,
Penn. Benjamin Leas died February 21, 1828, and Jane, his second wife,
died February 25, 1857. Joseph Leas began clerking in Millerstown in
the spring of 1838. In 1841 he clerked in Frankstown, Blair Co.,
Penn., one year; then followed same occupation at Dillsburg, York
County, two years. In 1844 he went to West Hill, Cumberland County,
returning in 1845 to Dillsburg, and in October, 1847, he came to
Mechanicsburg and clerked for his brother, a merchant and postmaster.
In 1854 Mr. Leas was elected justice of the peace, and has held that
office ever since. In May, 1865, he was elected borough treasurer, and
has held the office ever since, except one year (1879). He is
president of the Mechanicsburg Gas & Water Company, and is a director
in the Second National Bank. He was married in 1853, to Miss Sarah
Shurr, born in York County, Penn., and who died, leaving one daughter,
Laura R., who resides at home with her father. Mr. Leas married Miss
Emmaline H. Gould, a native of this county, daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth (Rice) Gould, and to this union were born three children:
Harry G. (deceased), Fannie G. and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Leas are
members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject owns a house on North
Market Street, where he and his family reside, and other property in
Mechanicsburg. He was but six years old when his father died, and
early started to earn his own way in life. At fourteen he drove horses
on the canal line between Hollidaysburg and Philadelphia. His brother,
Hon. George Leas, was elected a representative to the Legislature from
Huntingdon County, Penn., and his half-brother, William B., was elected
associate judge of Huntingdon County, Penn. The Leas are of German
descent.

Joseph married Emmaline H. Gould, daughter of Henry Gould and Elizabeth Rice. (Emmaline H. Gould was born on 4 Feb 1832,⁴ died on 25 Nov 1922 ⁴ and was buried in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA ⁴.)

Joseph next married Sarah S. Shurr in 1853.¹ (Sarah S. Shurr was born on 11 May 1826 in York County, Pennsylvania, USA,^{1 4} died on 7 Jul 1858 ⁴ and was buried in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA ⁴.)