Jacob
Leamer was the son of John Leamer & Elizabeth
Kuemil. He was born May 28, 1810 in PA.
Rebecca Stephens was the daughter
of Nicholas Stephens & Mary. She
was born April 19, 1812 in PA.
THE FAMILY OF JACOB LEAMER & REBECCA STEPHENS
 | Photo of Rebecca? See unknowns at bottom of page | Jacob Leamer & Rebecca Stephens | Jacob Leamer & Rebecca
Stephens were married about 1832 in Huntington Co., PA and they had 13 children.
The family is listed on the 1840 census of Bedford, Bedford Co., PA. Jacob &
Rebecca moved with their family from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and they are
listed on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co., IA. Jacob Leamer died
January 4, 1860 in Benton Co., IA. Rebecca is listed on the 1860, 1870, 1880,
1895 & 1900 censuses of Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. She is living with her married
daughter Delilah Thomas in 1870, with her married son David in 1880, and with
her married daughter Elizabeth Dilling in 1895 & 1900. In 1900 she is listed
as having 13 births with 8 surviving children at that time. Rebecca Stephens
Leamer died on November 11, 1903 in Benton Co., IA. Jacob & Rebecca are
both buried in the Prairie United Brethren Cemetery, Sec. 35, Taylor Township,
Benton County, Iowa. Notes for Jacob Leamer Notes for Rebecca Stephens Leamer Xeroxed photo collage of children of Jacob & Rebecca Stephens Leamer 1900-1903 |
The Children of Jacob Leamer & Rebecca Stephens:
| Photo of Henrietta? See unknowns at bottom of page | 1)Henrietta Leamer | Henrietta
Gennett Leamer was born in September 1832 in PA. There is a daughter the right
age to be Henrietta, age 7, on the 1840 census of Bedford, Bedford Co., PA. Her
parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and she is listed with her parents
at age 17 on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co., IA. Henrietta married
Richard Thompson about 1854 in IA, and they had at least 7 children. A
letter written by Henrietta's grandfather Nicholas Stephens on January 21, 1855
to her uncle Nicholas Stephens in Pennsylvania states that "Henrietta Leamer
has a fine son". There is a Richard, Henery Ella and Samuel Thomson listed
on index of the 1856 state census of Benton Co., IA. The family is listed in the
household of Henrietta's recently widowed mother on the 1860 census of Eden Twp,
Benton Co., IA. Her name is listed as Gennett on the 1860 census, but she is listed
as Henriett or Henrietta on all other records I have found for her. Richard &
Henrietta moved from Iowa to Missouri about 1868, and the family is listed on
the 1870 & 1880 censuses of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. Richard and Henrietta
are listed on the 1900 census of Liberty, Pulaski Co., MO in the household of
their widowed son Erwin Thompson. At that time Henrietta was age 67 and was listed
as having 7 children with 4 surviving. I have not found Richard or Henrietta on
the 1910 census at this time. Henrietta Gennett Leamer Thompson died sometime
after 1900 and possibly before 1910. She is not listed as being a surviving
sister in her brother David's obit on June 27, 1916. Notes for Henrietta Leamer Thompson |
 | 2) David Leamer | David Leamer was born Jan 27, 1834
in Blair Co., PA. There is a son the right age to be David, age 6, on the
1840 census of Bedford, Bedford Co., PA. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to
Iowa in 1850, and he is listed with his parents at age 16 on the 1850 census of
District #11, Benton Co., IA. David married Elizabeth McDowell on Oct 1,
1857 in Benton Co., IA and they had 6 children. The family is listed on the 1860,
1870 & 1880 censuses of Eden Twp., Benton Co., IA. Elizabeth died Feb 24,
1884 in Benton Co., IA. David is listed on the 1900 census of Eden Twp., Benton
Co., IA, living with his married son Irving Leamer. I have not found him on the
1910 census at this time, but his obit states that he lived from 1911 to 1916
with his married daughter Martha Ella (Mrs. William E.) Fry in Vinton, Benton
Co., IA. David Leamer died on June 22, 1916 in Benton Co., IA. He &
Elizabeth are buried in the Prairie United Bretheren Cemetary, Taylor Twp., Benton
Co., IA. |
 | 3) Elizabeth Leamer | Elizabeth Rebecca Leamer
was born in November 1835 in PA. There is a daughter the right age to be Elizabeth,
age 4, on the 1840 census of Bedford, Bedford Co., PA. Her parents moved from
Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and she is listed with her parents at age 13 on
the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co., IA. Elizabeth married John Dilling
about 1855 in IA and they had 4 children. They are listed on the 1854 state census
of Canton Twp., Benton Co., IA. The family is listed on the 1860, 1870, 1895,
1900 & 1910 censuses of Eden Twp., Benton Co., IA. I have not found them on
the 1880 census a this time. On June 27, 1916, Mrs. Elizabeth Dilling of Vinton,
(Benton Co.) IA was listed in David Leamer's obit as being one of his 3 surviving
sisters. I have not found John or Elizabeth on the 1920 census at this time. Elizabeth
Rebecca Leamer Dilling died sometime after 1916, possibly before 1920 in Benton
Co., IA. She is not listed as being a surviving sibling in her sister Mattie
Meister's obit in January 1931. Notes for Elizabeth Rebecca Leamer Dilling |
 | 4) Eliza Jane Leamer | Eliza Jane Leamer was born in September
1836 in PA. There is a daughter the right age to be Eliza, age 3, on the 1840
census of Bedford, Bedford Co., PA.Her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa
in 1850, and she is listed with her parents at age 13 on the 1850 census of District
#11, Benton Co., IA. Eliza Jane married John R. King in 1857 in IA and
they had 14 children. The family is listed on the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1895 &
1900 censuses of Big Creek, Black Hawk Co., IA. John died sometime between 1900
to 1910, and Eliza is listed as widowed on the 1910 census of Big Creek, Black
Hawk Co., IA. Eliza Jane Leamer King died in 1914, probably in Big Creek, Black
Hawk Co., IA. Notes for Eliza Jane Leamer King |
 | 5) Unknown Child Leamer | Unknown Child Leamer was probably born between 1837 to 1840 in PA. In 1900 Rebecca Stephens Leamer is listed as having 13 births with 8 surviving at that time, and I only have names for 12 of her children - this space of 5 years between the birth of Eliza Jane & Sarah Ann would be unusual for Rebecca based on the birth years of her other children. There is not a child on the 1840 or 1850 census that would be this unknown child, so I think it died young. Unknown Child Leamer died before 1850, and possibly before 1840 in PA. |
| 6) Sarah Ann Leamer | Sarah Ann Leamer was born
about 1841 in PA. Her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and
she is listed with her parents at age 9 on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton
Co., IA. Her father died in 1860, and Sarah is listed at age 19 with her mother
on the 1860 census of Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. Sarah married George W. Langham
in Benton Co., IA. Sarah Ann Leamer Langham died September 8, 1866 in Benton
Co., IA. She is buried in the Prairie United Brethren Cemetery in Ssection
35, Block 2, lot 31, Taylor Township, Benton County, Iowa. George died on January
4, 1891 and he is also buried in United Brethren Cemetery In Block 2, lot 30. Notes for Sarah Ann Leamer Langham |
| Photo of Rachel? See unknowns at bottom of page | 7) Rachel Leamer | Rachel Leamer was born in November
1842 in PA. Her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and she is
listed with her parents at age 7 on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co.,
IA. She is listed at age 17 with her widowed mother on the 1860 census of Eden
Twp, Benton Co., IA. Rachel married George L. Hackett on August 18, 1862
in Benton Co., IA and they had at least 4 children. The family is listed on 1870
census of Eldorado Twp, Benton Co., IA. The family moved from Iowa to Nebraska
sometime between 1873 to 1880, and they are listed on the 1880 census of Clatonia,
Gage Co., NE. They moved from Nebraska to Kansas between 1880 to 1900, and they
are listed on the 1900 & 1910 censuses of Haddam, Washington Co,. KS. In 1900
they are living with their widowed son John, and in 1910, John's daughter Faye
is living with them. Rachel Leamer Hackett died sometime after 1910 and before
1916, probably in Kansas. Rachel is not listed as being a surviving sister
of her brother David in his obit of June 27, 1916 Notes for Rachel Leamer Hackett |
 | 8) Delia Leamer | Delila "Delia" Leamer was born
in January 1845 in PA. Her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850,
and she is listed with her parents as Delia, age 4 on the 1850 census of District
#11, Benton Co., IA. Her father died in 1860 when she was about age 14, but Delilah
is not listed with her mother on the 1860 census of Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA and
I have not found her on the census that year. Delila married Albert Thomas
about 1866, probably in Benton Co., IA. They are listed on the 1870 census
Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. They moved from Iowa to Nebraska between 1870 to 1880,
and are listed on the 1880 census of Plymouth, Jefferson Co., NE. At that time
there is an 8 year old named James Ashpaugh living with them that is listed as
a son. They are listed on the 1900 & 1910 censuses of DeWitt, Saline Co.,
NE. Delia is listed as having 0 births on both the 1900 & 1910 census. Delia
is listed as "Mrs. Delila Thomas, of St. Cloud, Florida" in her brother
David's obit in June 27, 1916. According to a letter written by Irma Pfeifer Mankamyer,
Delia moved to DeWitt, Saline Co., NE after Albert died and lived with her married
sister Mattie Meister until her death. I have not found Albert or Delia on the
1920 census at this time. Delila"Delia" Leamer Thomas died sometime
after 1916 and before 1931 in DeWitt, Saline Co., NE. She is not listed as
being a surviving sibling in her sister Mattie Meister's obit in January 1931. Notes for Delila"Delia" Leamer Thomas |
 | 9) Joseph Leamer | Joseph Samuel Leamer was born March 20,
1847 in PA. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and he is
listed with his parents at age 2 on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co.,
IA. His father died in 1860 when he was about age 12, and he is listed with his
mother on the 1860 census of Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. Joseph moved from Iowa
to Missouri in 1866 when he was about age 18. Joseph married Hannah Elizabeth
Webb on Sept 8, 1867 in MO, and they had 9 children. The family is listed
on the 1870, 1880, 1900 & 1910 censuses of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. On
both the 1900 & 1910 censuses Hannah is listed as having 9 births with 7 surviving
children. In an obit dated June 27, 1916, Joseph Leamer of Missouri is listed
as the only surviving brother of David Leamer. Joseph & Elizabeth are both
listed at age 72 on the 1920 census of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. I assume
Elizabeth died between 1920 to 1930 as Joseph is listed with wife Ella,
age 66, on the 1930 census of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. He is listed as the
only surviving sibling of Mattie Leamer Potter Meister in January 1931. Joseph
Leamer died on December 14, 1940 in Caldwell Co., MO. He is buried at Zimmerman
Cemetery, Caldwell Co., MO. Notes for Joseph Samuel Leamer |
| 10) Henry Leamer | Henry W. Leamer was born February 11, 1849
in PA. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1850, and he is listed
with his parents at age 1 on the 1850 census of District #11, Benton Co., IA.
Henry died when he was age 1 year and 8 months. Henry W. Leamer died on October
11, 1850 in Benton Co., IA. He is buried in the Prairie United Bretheren Cemetary,
Taylor Twp., Benton Co., IA. Notes for Henry W. Leamer |
| 11) Emma Leamer | Emma Leamer was born June 8, 1850
in Benton Co., IA. Emma died when she was age 11 months and 2 days. Emma
Leamer died on May 10, 1851 in Benton Co., IA. She is buried in the Prairie
United Bretheren Cemetary, Taylor Twp., Benton Co., IA. Notes for Emma Leamer |
 | 12) Martha Leamer | Martha M. "Mattie" Leamer was
born on July 2, 1851 in Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. Her father died in 1860
when she was about age 9, and she is listed with her mother on the 1860 census
of Eden Twp, Benton Co., IA. Mattie married Richard Potter about 1868 in
Iowa. Richard was a Methodist preacher, and Mattie was about age 16. They had
one son, Oscar, born in May 1869 in Benton Co., Iowa. Mattie's daughter Irma Pfeifer
told me that Mattie said Richard Potter would tie her to the bed so that she could
not leave the cabin while he was gone circuit riding to preach. I do not know
when or if Mattie & Richard divorced, but Mattie is living with her married
sister Henrietta Thompson on the 1870 census of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO,
and listed as Martha Leamer, age 18. Oscar is not listed with her in 1870; I don't
know if the census taker missed him or if he was being cared for by someone else
at that time. There is an Oscar Potter, born Iowa, listed with Mattie's mother
Rebecca Leamer in Benton Co., IA in 1870, but both of their ages are listed as
58 - that also may be census taker error, and it may be that Oscar was with his
grandmother at that time. Mattie remarried Hiram Meister on January 8,
1872. They had one daughter, Beatrice Kate Meister.They moved from Missouri to
Nebraska in 1877 when Beatrice was age 3. Hiram & Mattie are listed on the
1880 census of Plymouth Pct., Jefferson Co., NE with both Oscar & Beatrice
listed as children in their household. The family is on the 1900, 1910, 1920 &
1930 censuses of DeWitt, Saline Co., NE. Hiram died on Jan 6, 1931. Martha
M. "Mattie" Leamer died on January 15, 1931 in DeWitt, Saline Co., NE.
Mattie had nursed Hiram through a long illness, and then contracted pneumonia
shortly before he died and she died nine days later. The Families of Martha M. "Mattie" Leamer Photos of Martha M. "Mattie" Leamer Potter Meister Notes for Martha M. "Mattie" Leamer Potter Meister |
| 13) Levi S. Leamer | Levi S. Leamer was born June
14, 1854 in Benton Co., IA. Levi died when he was age 9 months and 27 days.
Levi Leamer died on April 10, 1855 in Benton Co., IA. He is buried in the
Prairie United Bretheren Cemetary, Taylor Twp., Benton Co., IA. Notes for Levi S. Leamer |
Need to be ID'd!!
 | Rebecca Stephens OR Henrietta Leamer? | If photo was taken in 1902, this would be Rebecca, age 90 or Henrietta, age 70. Rebecca died in 1903 |
 | Henrietta or Rachel Leamer? | If photo was taken in 1902, this would be Henrietta, age 70, or Rachel, age 60. Rachel died between 1900-1910. I think the collage was made either for the occasion of Rachel's death (Rebecca & 7 surviving children at that time), or of Rebecca's death (photos of her 8 surviving children at that time). |
