Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Leidy, Zachariah
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
New Britain Township


   ZACHARIAH LEIDY real estate agent, P.O. Chalfont, was 
born in Montgomery county in 1814.  His great-grandfather 
came from Germany.  Jacob, the son of this early settler, 
was married to a Miss Scholl, and had five sons and four 
daughters.  John, the oldest son and child, was married to 
Mary Groff.  Zachariah is the youngest of their four 
children.  His mother died when he was only four months old. 
 Later his father was married to the widow of Jacob Gerhart. 
 Two daughters were the result of this marriage.  Our 
subject was married in 1835 to Catherine A., daughter of 
Philip Gable, of Montgomery county, to whom five children 
were born:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mary, Amanda and Emma.  
Amanda, now Mrs. Doughty, of Hartsville, Bucks county, is 
their only surviving child.  Being the youngest son, our 
subject was sent away from home at the age of 7 years.  When 
18 years old he learned the tanner's trade and started in 
business for himself.  His tannery was located in Hilltown 
township.  Being of an enterprising disposition, he was soon 
engaged in a lucrative business, which he carried on for 
fifteen years.  He erected several dwelling-houses near his 
own and built up a town which now bears his name.  He also 
erected a temperance hotel which he kept in connection with 
a general store.  It 1863 he removed to Chalfont, then 
Whitenhallville, and engaged in the real estate business.  
He is a director of the Whitehall Fire Insurance and 
Chalfont Storm Insurance companies, and in the year 1886 
insured property to the amount of $200,000.  When 16 years 
old, he joined the church and at the age of 22 was elected 
deacon.  In the year 1853 he with several other members 
erected the present Leidytown Presbyterian church, in which 
he was an elder for about twenty-two years.  About ten years 
ago he was instrumental in building the Presbyterian chapel 
at Chalfont, a branch of the Leidytown church.  He gave the 
ground on which the above-mentioned church is built and has 
always rendered financial support in time of need.  He is a 
republican, and the prohibition cause has in him a sincere 
advocate.