My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED HENRY LEISTER, born December 5, 1853, died October 26, 1903, was the son of Noah R. and Emeline (Frederick) Leister, both deceased and buried at Sassamansville. They died at an advanced age. Mr. Leister was a blacksmith by trade, and also followed farming in Montgomery county and Berks. The couple, who were members of the Lutheran church, had eight children as follows: Edwin, unmarried, residing at New Hanover Square, has been engaged in teaching, and also as a farmer; Alfred H., subject of this sketch; Benjamin Franklin, married Mary Jones, and is a farmer in Frederick township, they having one child, Wayne; B. Francis, married Catharine Christman (first wife) they living in Fagleysville, and having several children; he married (second wife) Sallie Young, the couple living in Norristown, where he was deputy county treasurer for several years, and is now a bookkeeper, they having no children; James N., married Catharine Gilbert, and is a farmer residing at Gilbertsville; Sarah Ann, died at the age of eight years; Irwin, married Miss Heinbach, they residing in New Hanover and having two living children; he is a farmer; Noah, married Mary Bortman, and has four children; he is a farmer in Berks county.

Philip Leister (grandfather) was a mason by trade, and was a resident of Montgomery county. His wife was Mary Leister. He died many years ago, at a very advanced age. He came from Bucks county, where he was born and reared. The couple had eight children: David, Noah (father), Joseph, John, Philip, Elizabeth, Catharine and Mary, of whom only Elizabeth and Joseph survive. Philip Leister’s wife died about the same time as himself.

Noah Leister and his son Alfred Henry (subject of this sketch) died on the same day, October 26, 1903, and were buried at Sassamansville cemetery. Alfred Leister’s maternal grandparents were Henry and Susanna (Fox) Frederick. They lived in Montgomery county. Both died many years ago. He was a farmer by occupation. They had the following children: Susanna, Elizabeth, Caroline, Emeline (mother), Edward, and one child who died very young.

Alfred H. Leister attended school until he was about fifteen years of age. He then went to college for a time, and taught school in New Hanover township for ten terms. He then worked at farming, and also in Philadelphia, where he learned cigar making. He then went into the creamery business, in which he was engaged until the time of his death.

Mr. Leister married, September 11, 1880, Catharine Jones, daughter of Edward Jones, whose wife was a Miss Cleaver. Mrs. Leister was born June 19, 1860. Her father was a farmer by occupation. Their children: Isaac, Lewis, Sarah, Emma, Catharine (Mrs. Leister) and Mary. Mrs. Leister having died in 1883, Mr. Leister married (second wife) in September, 1887, Sophia, daughter of Henry and Rebecca Erb, who lived in the same vicinity. He was a farmer and shoemaker. Both Mr. and Mrs. Erb are deceased. They were buried at Sassamansville graveyard. By the first marriage, Mr. Leister had one son Austin, who is twenty-two years of age. He resides in Philadelphia where he is engaged as a stenographer. He was born July 29, 1881. By the second marriage there are two children, Mamie Agnes, born July 2, 1889, and Minie May, born September 27, 1891.

Mr. Leister was a Democrat in politics, as are all the family. He was a member of the New Hanover school board for six years, and township auditor for the same length of time. He was a member of the following organizations: Camp 104, Patriotic Order Sons of America; Lodge No. 228, Knights of the Golden Eagle; Council No. 976, Order United American Mechanics; Knights of Friendship, No. 55; Tribe 388, Improved Order of Red Men. The family are members of the Lutheran church at Sassamansville.