BIO: G. W. Leidigh, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LII. MONROE TOWNSHIP. 511 MONROE TOWNSHIP. G. W. LEIDIGH, farmer, P. O. Allen. The founder of this family came from Germany to America long before the war of the Revolution. Adam Leidigh, the first of the name of whom there is any record, bought land in Monroe Township, this county, in 1791; he was a farmer and manufacturer. In politics he was an old line Whig; in religion a member of the Lutheran Church. By industry, he accumulated a handsome property, and gave each of his sons a farm. He was the father of four sons: David, George, Jacob and John. He was a prominent man in the community, and trustee for at least one estate. From all that can be learned of him, he was a good business man and honorable in all his dealings. Jacob Leidigh, his second son, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., January 15, 1788; was a farmer all his life, inheriting his land from his father. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of Michael Leidigh, of this county, January 14, 1821 (she was of no blood relationship) and to this union were born five children; Mary A., Sarah, Catharine, George and Samuel. Mr. Leidigh was a member of the Lutheran Church; in politics, an old line Whig; he died August 13, 1832. His widow, who lived for many years, afterward married Henry Gross, of this county, by whom she had one daughter: Eliza A. Mrs. Leidigh died in her eighty-first year. G. W. Leidigh was born in this county July 13, 1828, and, his father dying when he was only five years old, John Brindle became his guardian. At twenty he learned the miller's trade of Jacob Goodyear, his brother-in-law. In 1851, he married Miss Mahala, daughter of John Beltzhoover, of this county, and this union was blessed with three sons: John B. (married to Gertie R., daughter of L. V. Moore, of this county), and Harry M., an attorney. In 1881, our subject bought the Junction Flouring Mill, one of the oldest on Yellow Breeches Creek, being built in the last century, rebuilt in 1828, and again rebuilt by Mr. Leidigh, in 1865. The structure bids fair to stand for many years to come. Mr. Leidigh has followed the business of a miller for thirty-three years on the same creek, and for thirty-five in the old mill which he now owns, and this makes him the oldest miller on Yellow Breeches Creek. During the war of the Rebellion, when Gen. Ewell was stationed at Carlisle, a picket line was formed near Mr. Leidigh's residence, and Gen. Ewell sent him a very stern order to the effect that if any goods were smuggled or removed from the mill, he would burn the building to ashes. It is singular that although the neighbors, who were more or less remote, were plundered, not a single thing was taken from Mr. Leidigh's premises. Mr. and Mrs. Leidigh are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a hale, stalwart man, wearing his years lightly. Has done a large milling business - probably more than any other miller on the creek. He still continues active labor and lives in the same township where he was born and reared.