1914 Delaware Co., IA History pgs. 425-427

Albert D. Le Clere is a farmer residing in South Fork township, where he is widely known and highly respected. He was born in Dubuque county, this state, October 3, 1849, a son of George F. and Louise (Laude) Le Clere. The former's birth occurred on the 14th of January, 1817, at Dan Pierre, in the district in France known as D'Audincourt, and the latter was born May 31,
1818, at Semondans, in the canton of Montbelliard. The father came to America with his parents in 1828, and the mother came to this country with her parents in 1834. They were married April 23, 1841, at Mexico, Oswego county, New York, and thence made their way to Dubuque county, this state, in 1846, settling on government land. They brought with them their three oldest children, the others being born in this state. The mother passed away June 1, 1897.

To Mr. and Mrs. George F. Le Clere were born eight children. Charles F., whose birth occurred May 19, 1842, at Mexico, New York, is married and has become the father of fourteen children, thirteen of whom survive. Eliza C. was born June 30, 1843, at Mexico, New York. She married Maurice Bebb and they live at Winona Lake, Indiana, arid have one daughter, Louise, who
after finishing her college course graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and is now an assistant Presbyterian pastor. George F., who was born October 11, 1845, at Mexico, New York, is a minister and lives at Los Angeles, California. He married Miss Hattie Booth, who was at one time a teacher at Lenox College, and they have become the parents of seven children, five of whom survive. Emily, who was born October 13, 1847, became the wife of Charles Petit and died July 12, 1880. The subject of this review is the next in order of birth. Susan M. was born December 1, 1851, and died February 17, 1863, in Dubuque county, this state. Henry A., born May 24, 1854, is a farmer living near Manchester. He married Miss Margaret Strane and they have nine children, all living, one of whom, Rev. James Le Clere, is a United Presbyterian minister at St. Joseph, Missouri. Louise, familiarly known as Lulu, was born July 22, 1856, and has been twice married. Her first husband was Dwight Smith, by whom she had three sons. He passed away in July, 1889, and in 1904 she married Edward Le Clere, a cousin.

Albert D. Le Clere was educated in the public schools of Dubuque county, and subsequently studied for four terms at Lenox College. He then worked upon his father's farm for some time, becoming an efficient agriculturist. In 1880 he went to Miner county, South Dakota, where he remained for ten years. He then moved to Hamilton county, Iowa, and remained there two
years. In 1892 he purchased the old homestead in Dubuque county and remained on it until the end of 1899 when he sold out and purchased land near Hopkinton. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land which is divided into two tracts, one of one hundred and sixty acres and one of eighty acres. His property is situated on section 18, South Fork township, and he is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his locality. He does mixed farming and as he uses approved methods and displays good judgment in the management of his business he finds agriculture a remunerative as well as congenial occupation.

Mr. Le Clere was married on the 3d of September, 1878, to Miss Alice Gray, a daughter of Alexander and Sophia Boyd (Love) Gray. Her father was born in Scotland, February 17, 1834, but emigrated to this country when a boy of but fourteen years of age. He died at Wheaton, Minnesota, October 2, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty years. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him. The mother was born in Scotland, May 15, 1840, and was brought to this country by her parents when but three years of age. She passed away August 10, 1910. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, six daughters and three sons. Alice, the wife of the subject of this review, was born at Rockdale, Dubuque county, this state, October 19, 1858.

Christine Buchanan Davis, a widow with three surviving children, lives at Wheaton, Minnesota. Edward C., a grain dealer of Rapid City, South Dakota, is married and has had ten children, of whom nine survive. John, the proprietor of a steam laundry at Boise City, Idaho, is married and has three children. Alexander is living retired in Pasadena, California. Elizabeth became the wife of George W. Freeman and was killed in Missouri by a train. Drusilla is the wife of J. E. Arnold and they have three children, two sons and one daughter. Sophia is the wife of August A. Johnson, an electrician at Wheaton, Minnesota, and they have one daughter. Cora is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Le Clere became the parents of five children. Luella Jeannette, born September 5, 1879, was graduated from Lenox College in 1903. She has since been a teacher by profession. Westchester Allen, born October 13, 1881, pursued a commercial course at Lenox College and is now engaged in farming. He married Miss Bessie Porter and of their two children one survives. Bessie Louise, born July 4, 1884, has taken a course in stenography and typewriting in Lenox College. Bertha May, born July 4, 1888, married J. H. Kirkwood, a prosperous farmer. Frederick Gray was born February 17, 1894, and died April 29, 1895. The family belong to the Presbyterian church at Hopkinton, in which Mr. Le Clere has been ruling elder for six years and trustee for a like period of time. He is also a teacher in the Sunday school.

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