My Genealogy Hound

LESTER I. DINGEE, a representative business man of Ashbourne, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being January 31, 1868. He is a son of Albert H. and Emma (Ivins) Dingee.

Albert H. Dingee (father) was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1846, a son of Edmund and Catherine (Hama) Dingee. Albert H. Dingee was educated at the public high schools of his native city, and the knowledge thus gained thoroughly qualified him for a life of activity. He was an extensive manufacturer of bricks for building purposes, this occupation proving most successful and remunerative, and at the age of thirty-six years retired from business. He served for twenty-two years as a member of the bureau of health, was a member of the board of public charities for a number of years, a director of the German-American Title, Insurance and Trust Company, a large stockholder in several national banks of Philadelphia, and a holder of considerable traction stocks. He was a prominent and influential citizen and his influence for good was felt throughout the community in which he resided. Mr. Dingee married, December 13, 1866, Emma Ivins, daughter of Aaron B. and Anna (Lester) Ivins, and the issue of this union was two children, namely: Lester I., born January 31, 1868, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Blanch M., born July 26, 1873. Albert H. Dingee (father) died November 9, 1903, aged fifty-seven years.

Emma (Ivins) Dingee, mother of Lester I. Bingee, is a lineal descendant of John Leicester, of London, England, who spent his entire life in his native land. By his marriage he had a son, Peter Leicester, who settled in Leicestershire, England, from whence in 1682 he emigrated to America with William Penn, settling in Philadelphia with the latter named, who gave him a square of ground on Market street which he afterward sold for thirty pounds. Peter Leicester married, and among his children was a son, John Leicester, who married and had a son, John Leicester, who married and had a son, Thomas Leicester, who married and had a son, Peter Leicester, who in turn married and had a daughter named Anna Foulke Leicester, who became the wife of Aaron B. Ivins, and their daughter, Emma Ivins, became the wife of Albert H. Dingee and mother of Lester I. Dingee.

The educational advantages enjoyed by Lester I. Dingee were obtained at the Friends’ Central School, Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia. After completing his studies he was admitted into the firm of James E. Dingee, this connection continuing until 1890, when he withdrew his interest and engaged in the hop business on his own account. In addition to this enterprise he devotes considerable time and attention to real estate operations in Cheltenham township. The confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens is evidenced by the fact that he has been chosen to serve in the capacity of commissioner of Cheltenham township. He is a member of the Manufacturers’ Club of Philadelphia and of the Columbia Club.

On April 15, 1889, Mr. Dingee married Marie Madeleine Ravel, daughter of Jules M. and A. C. (Lafore) Ravel. Their children are: Lester I., Jr., born November 28, 1891; Albert H., born February 8, 1895; and Marie Madeleine, born October 6, 1904.