Scott and Kathryn (Leedom) Ives Genealogy
from Kathryn's files...

Thomas Leedom

Berks Co PA

We have not been able to place these Leedoms with their families. If you recognize any of them or have any material to add, please write to me or to Daniel Koon who provided this information. Thank you for any clues!

• Thomas Leedom - b. between 1810 and 1820

"[M]y grandfather left there [Stouchsburg] with the three children and started west, they lived at several places also at [Myerstown,] Lebanon and Union Deposit this was the last place the Witmans heard from them until 1912, sometime later they left this place and started on the canal boat for Huntingdon, Pa., and when they arrived there they could not get a house and then decided to go on to Hollidaysburg, Pa. the end of the Penn. Canal on the eastern slope of the mountain. Grandfather knew a friend here and that was the reason he came to this place. These were Canal boat days. They lived here a few years and then my Grandfather was taken ill with Typhoid Fever and died." -- Paul Leedom, letter dated March 21, 1935.

Thomas was a cigarmaker, a trade that his son Jeremiah also learned.

The 1840 Census lists Thomas Leadum living in Heidelberg Twp., Lebanon Co., having a son and daughter both under 5 years of age, and a wife who was also born between 1810 and 1820. There is also a Samuel Leedom in Lebanon Borough in the same census with a 60-70 year old male living with him. Samuel is possibly a brother to Thomas though it's difficult to surmise without an age listed.

Thomas Leedom married Leah Witman (9.5.1816 - aft 1842) in 1835 in Stouchsburg, Berks Co, died shortly after 1842. Buried in cemetery near Stouchsburg, although no stone with her name is visible in Christ Church yard (site of her wedding, and which contains other Witman stones).

• Levi Leedom - b. 2.1.1842 near Stouchburg, PA  d. 1.4.1932 Hollidaysburg PA, son of Thomas and Leah, above

"Levi Leedom, Civil war veteran, the last but one of the members of the Colonel William G. Murray post, No. 39, of the Grand Army of the Republic and who for more than fifty-two years was employed in the courthouse, mostly in the prothonotary’s office, died at 10:30 o’clock Monday night at his home at 405 Walnut street, of ills incident to advanced age.

"Mr. Leedom enjoyed good health throughout his life and it was not until quite recently that he began to fail. He would have been 90 years of age within a few weeks. With his death there remains but one survivor of the Colonel Murray Grand Army post, which was disbanded last June. He is Harrison Tyler Stiffler of Canoe Creek, who was 91 years of age last November.

"Mr. Leedom was a son of Thomas and Leah Leedom and was born in Berks county on Feb. 1, 1842. He came to Hollidaysburg in September, 1852, and resided here ever since. In his youth he learned the baking trade with the late William Koontz of Hollidaysburg, which he followed until 1875. For several years following he was engaged in the retail oil business in Hollidaysburg.

"His service for the county of Blair began in 1879, when he became a clerk in the office of the register and recorder under Abraham Lingenfelter. Some years later he was transferred to the prothonotary’s office, where he remained until the weight of years made it incumbent upon him to retire. He worked steadily, was always at his post, showing remarkable energy even in his later years, filling volume after volume of court records with his perfect handwriting. He entered the prothonotary’s office during the incumbency of the late Jesse L. Hartman and served successively under Mr. Hartman, Harry E. Ferguson, Guy R. Lingafelt and the present incumbent, Paul L. Hall.

"Mr. Leedom was the champion family man of the state, as during his long years of service at the courthouse he was appointed guardian for hundreds of children. He laughingly remarked, "if I would take my eight children, my grandchildren and all my wards, with the offspring of those since marriage, I would have some considerable sized family reunion." He served as justice of the peace at Hollidaysburg for twenty-five years and was a silent partner with his son, Paul Leedom, in conducting a novelty store.

"At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Leedom enlisted in company E, 125th Regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, commanded by Colonel Jacob Higgins, on Aug. 13, 1862, and was honorably discharged May 18, 1863, after he had been seriously wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville.

"Mr. Leedom was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, joining Hollidaysburg lodge, No. 119, on June 26, 1867, and was a member of all the branches of the order, in which he was actively engaged until his health failed. He was chosen secretary of his lodge on Sept. 27, 1871, and served continuously until 1920, when he voluntarily retired. He was also an active member of Zion Lutheran church and served in various church offices for years.

"Mr. Leedom seemed to have had the secret of perpetual youth. Until almost his last days he had the agility of youth in his movements, was in full possession of all his faculties, was a keen observer who kept abreast of the times and he was always an entertaining conversationalist. He was an ardent baseball fan and until the last year of his life he attended the local games and frequently went to Pittsburgh to see the big league games.

"He was married to Miss Emma McCahan at Hollidaysburg on March 25, 1873, by the Rev. J. A. Mellich, at that time pastor of the Methodist church. Mrs. Leedom preceded him to the grave Dec. 2, 1927." -- Hollidaysburg Register, Jan. 7, 1932. [Levi Leedom married 25 Mar 1873 Emma Louise McCahan, b. 25 Oct 1849 d. Dec 1926. Brothers: George Cramer, b. 1852, James Coffy, b. 13 Aug 1854 d. 23 Nov 1888]

"At the outbreak of the Civil War he was working at his trade in Pittsburgh. Upon learning (receiving a letter from a friend in Hollidaysburg) that his former companions and friends had enlisted and were leaving for war he made a hurried trip via Cumberland, Md. and Bedford to Hollidaysburg and discovered the boys had left the day before. The next morning he went to Altoona and bought a ticket to Harrisburg and found the Hollidaysburg Company had been filled up and but was able to enlist in an East Freedom Co., he being then in Company E 125th Regt. Pa. Vol. was wounded at Chancellorsville and received his discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment and returned home was employed in Altoona." -- notes, Paul Leedom circa 1935.

Brothers:

• Jeremiah - (1839-28 Mar 1893), learned cigarmaker’s trade. Served in WV Battery G (15 May 1861-Jun 1864) wounded twice, lost eye. Worked at baking with Levi, coalmining at Bennington (Blair Co), Houtzdale. Married Nancy Jane Quarry, no children, buried Brisbin, Clearfield Co.
• John - born 1 May 1844, died young?

Sisters:

• One, name not known, died during war.
• Possibly Maria - born or baptized 13 Aug 1835, Stouchsburg.
• Henrietta - (25 Jan 1841?-28 Sep 1841).
• Possibly Eliza - b. 1841/2, living with George and Magdalina Seibert, 1850 in Heidelberg Twp, Leb. Co.

Cousins:

• Isaac - (Lebanon PA)
• John - (Richland PA).

Additional notes from Daniel Koon:

My grandfather (Paul Leedom) wrote a letter dated March 21, 1935, of which I have a copy. He writes, 

"My father [Levi, Thomas' son] spoke of an Isaac Leedom, who lived in Lebanon, a cousin, he was also a cousin of John Leedom of Richland now deceased, he also said he used to have Uncles who lived in Dauphin, Pa. I'm not very well posted on the Leedom family history except our own. I am asked quite frequently by traveling salesmen if I am related to the Leedoms that live in Oil City." 

[Charles Leedom, born 17 Feb 1826 in Philadelphia and the son of Charles B. Leedom & Susannah Roberts, moved to Oil City PA in 1864. - Kathryn Ives]

As for the Lebanon Co. Leedoms, I have some notes (probably from Paul Leedom) that list Nora Seltzer of Lebanon Borough, and Paul Bickel (and his brother) as cousins of Paul Leedom (Thomas' grandson), and Paul having two sons, Richard and John.

The Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania
compiled by Morton L. Montgomery in two volumes and published by J. H. Beers & Company of Chicago in 1909.

I recently found this publication online at the Morton Montgomery Project. I am including a portion of their description of the work and their cautionary explanations. The entire work is completely indexed and and the site is easy to navigate.

** "Morton Montgomery was a Reading attorney who lived in the 1000 block of Penn Street. During the last twenty years of the nineteenth century, Morton Montgomery undertook the colossal task of writing a comprehensive history of Berks County. ...In 1909, Morton Montgomery published the Historical and Biographical History of Berks County. It includes almost 2000 pages painstakingly prepared by Morton Montgomery and published by the Beers Publishing Company of Chicago....As you will see, the type of information included varied from entry to entry. Sometimes the entry was so inclusive it had dates, places and all the children listed since the first ancestor arrived in America. Other entries are shorter, often simply a few paragraphs about one citizen.

It is important that you remember that none of this information was verified. The volumes contain many errors. Sometimes dates are incorrect, children are omitted, and wrong names are included. Some of what is included in a family history might have been merely hearsay, passed down generation to generation. Others were shorter and simply depicted a few paragraphs about one citizen. Interestingly you will find that most of the people included were "outstanding members" of their community. There were few, if any, horse thieves, murderers, or other criminals recorded in a publication meant as a record for posterity. Before you accept the material in these volumes, you should use other sources to verify the family as you find it represented here."

LEEDOM, JOHN, p. 991
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). [Richard Yardley Leedom married Ann Sterling on 5 Feb 1811 in Bucks Co. If this article is in error on John's father's name might this couple be John's parents? - KI]

    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 they 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.

KAUCHER, JOHN R., p. 1322
John R. Kaucher, of Reading, represents a family resident in that city for several generations, his father and grandfather before him having been, like himself, natives of the place. The grandfather John Kaucher was a hatter by trade and became later a manufacturer of silk hats. He left a family of six or eight children.

    John Kaucher (2), born in 1796, youngest child of John, received his education in Reading and then took up his father's line of work, which he followed practically all his life. He married Miss Catherine Rose and a family of nine children were born to them as follows; Henry, deceased; Martin; John R.; Mary, who died unmarried; Catherine, Mrs. Frederick Cleveland; Angeline, who died unmarried; Hannah, Mrs. John Till; Sarah and Ellen, who both died unmarried. Mr. Kaucher was in politics at first a Whig, like his father, and then a Republican. In religious belief the family were of the Reformed faith. Mr. Kaucher lived to the age of sixty-six, dying in 1862, while his wife was born 1799 and passed away in 1869, aged seventy.

    After completing his course in the public schools of Reading, John R. Kaucher entered upon his long and prosperous business career, beginning as a clerk. In 1853 he obtained a position in the discount and deposit department of the Bank of Pennsylvania and remained there until 1878, when he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank. His association with the latter institution continued till 1899, when he practically retired from active business life. Since then, refusing all positions of heavy responsibility he has confined his work to life and fire insurance and represents several of the best companies in the country.

    Mr. Kaucher married Miss Susan Leedom, daughter of John and Louisa (Wright) Leedom, and six children have been born to them, John, Richard, Thaddeus G., Sarah, Harriet and Maud. Mr. Kaucher and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church. A man of broad and varied interests, Mr. Kaucher has been identified with many public enterprises in his city, has been director of the Reading Library since 1857 and for a long time was secretary of the board of directors of the Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

SHIREY, MILTON L., p. 1374
Milton L. Shirey, grocer at Reading, was born in this city in 1861, the only son of David Y. and Emma L. (Leedom) Shirey, and a grandson of Samuel Shirey, who was a native of Caernarvon township, Berks county. He was a stone mason by trade and also manufactured hearthstones. He carried on business in Reading for a number of years.

    David Y. Shirey, father of Milton L., was born in Caernarvon township, in the old homestead there, and after completing his schooling he engaged with his father in the manufacture of hearthstones. Later he accompanied the family to Reading and found employment with Conrad Frame, who kept a store at "The Locks." Mr. Shirey remained with Mr. Frame for several years and then went into business for himself at the same place, with John Newkirk. They carried on a general store and did a big trade supplying the surrounding country and the canal boatmen, traffic then being heavy on the canal. Later he came to Reading and engaged in business at Third and Franklin streets, where he remained a few years, and then moved on Penn street above Sixth, into the S. Young building. In partnership with Henry Shearer, Mr. Shirey did a large business in garden produce of all kinds. Later he engaged in a livery business, but subsequently returned to the grocery line and for a number of years was established at No. 1129 Chestnut street, on the corner of Wunder. Some twelve years before his death, which occurred in February, 1901, he retired from active business life. He was a man who was respected and esteemed and was an active member of the orders of K. of P. and the Sr. O. U. A. M.

    David Y. Shirey married Emma L. Leedom, daughter of John and Louisa Ann Leedom. She still survives and resides with her son, M. L. Shirey.

    Milton L. Shirey completed the grammar school course at Reading and then assisted his father in his store until he was eighteen years of age, when he went with Joseph S. Esterly, in the produce business. He continued with him for one year and then returned home and continued with his father until he was twenty-three years old. His next business connection was with the Adams Express Co., with which he remained a year, and then was with Howard L. Goodman, in the bakery business for the next ten years.

    He took over his father's store, making many improvements and introducing modern methods and also enlarging the capacity for doing business. His store room is 20x60 feet and he has a warehouse in the rear, 14x40 feet. He possessed business enterprise and may justly be considered a representative man in the city's commerce.

    Mr. Shirey married Katie Goodman, daughter of Daniel and Amanda Goodman, and they have three children, viz.: Harold A., Thaddeus I., and Minerva L.
    He is a member of St. Peter's M, E. Church. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Red Man.

Assorted Berks County census records

Living on Walnut Street in Hollidaysburg Twp in 1920:

Additional census information:

And this entry, Catharine's family unknown:

The following records are of Leedoms in Berks Co. I have not at this point identified them or connected them to their families but present the information here in case it is helpful to anyone searching for a Leedom connection.

Birth records of Berks Co  PA

Marriage records of Berks Co  PA

Death records of Reading, Berks Co  PA

Estate records of Reading, Berks Co  PA