Bernardhus Van Leer


Bernardhus Van Leer was a German-American physician centenarian, who was father of American Revolutionary War Captain Samuel Van Leer and physician Benjamin van Leer.

Biography

Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer was born in Germany to Johann and Mary van Lohr or Van Leer, one of William Penn’s first investors His family was from Birstein in Hesse and he immigrated to the New World at age 11 in 1698. His great-great-grandfather Hans von Leer or sometimes von Lähr fought for the Swiss in the Battle of Grandson After spending seven years back in Europe, where he qualified as a physician, Dr. Van Leer maintained an exclusive office practice, which was unique for the time. Dr. Van Leer's son Captain Samuel Van Leer would later play an important role in American history as a revolutionary war soldier and army supplier with his iron business. His neighbor Isaac Wayne's daughter married Capt Samuel Van Leer in 1770.
The Van Leer Cabin and Mortonson-Van Leer Log Cabin were part of his family's property. Van Leer Cabin is utilized as part of an American History Course. Mortonson-Van Leer Cabin was used as a station for the Underground Railroad.
While some of Dr. Van Leer's descendants gained fame in medicine, others achieved different distinguished careers in US history e.g.: