Rev. Thomas Sharp Leason, D.D. and Mary Moore Laird
Husband Rev. Thomas Sharp Leason, D.D. 1 2 3
AKA: Rev. Thomas S. Leasson 4 Born: 29 Apr 1817 - Venango Twp, Butler Co, PA 3 Christened: Died: 29 Jul 1891 - Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA 5 Buried: - Brookville, Jefferson Co, PA
Father: Robert Leason (Abt 1779-1863) 1 2 3 6 Mother: Hannah Sharp (1784-1869) 2 3 6
Marriage: 16 May 1848 5
Wife Mary Moore Laird 2 4 7
AKA: M. L. Stewart Born: 1815 4 Christened: Died: 21 Feb 1889 5 Buried:
Father: Rev. Francis Laird, D.D. (1768-1854) 8 9 10 Mother: Mary Moore ( - ) 8 11
Other Spouse: William B. Stewart ( -Bef 1880) 8
Children
1 M Mirven F. Leason 1 12
Born: - Jefferson Co, PA Christened: Died: 29 May 1909 - Kittanning, Armstrong Co, PA 1 Buried:Spouse: Hannah Ross Reynolds ( -1901) 1 2 12
2 F Elissa C. Leason 12
AKA: Elisse C. Leason 2 Born: Christened: Died: Aft 1917 Buried:
3 F Elsie W. Leason 2
Born: Christened: Died: 24 Jan 1908 12 Buried:
4 M Elisha Leason 1
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
5 F Eliza Leason 1
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Rev. Thomas Sharp Leason, D.D.
He spent his boyhood on the home farm. He was prepared for college at Butler Academy under Rev. Loyal Young, D.D., and entered the sophomore class of Washington College, Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1841, graduating in 1844. From the History of the Class of 1844, prepared for the semi-centennial reunion of the class at Washington, June 19, 1894, we learn: "Unlike most of the class, he was already of mature age, and fully decided in making the Christian ministry his life work, so that he did not care to share largely in the pastimes and levities of the more youthful collegians, but found his pleasure in work and service, rather than in play. An instance of this may be cited in the fact that during most of his college life he was accustomed to make a weekly excursion of four miles into the country-and this afoot-in order to teach a Sabbath school class; and one of the pleasantest memories of his after life was that of his pupils in that school; one became afterwards a distinguished preacher and theological professor-Rev. Samuel J. Wilson, D.D. But while thus maintaining the character and doing the work of a Christian, he was very far from being odiously sanctimonious. No one was more genial or more fond of innocent mirth. To those who really knew him, and had come to appreciate his kindly sympathetic spirit, he was ever a delightful companion." These traits persisted throughout his long life. In the face of discouraging circumstances, toil that seemed to bring no adequate reward, he kept his happy disposition and cheerful manner, the spirit within showing itself undepressed by external conditions.
After graduating from college Mr. Leason in 1844 entered the Western Theological Seminary, where he took the three years' course. Meantime, in June, 1846, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Allegheny and entered upon the practical work of the ministry. His first charge was at Marietta, Ohio, where he was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Zanesville in June, 1848. After two years in that field he returned to Pennsylvania, being pastor of the churches at Leechburg and Pine Run, in the Presbytery of Blairsville, from 1851 to 1859, and in 1860 he located at Brookville, Jefferson County, where the remainder of his life was passed. The year of his arrival he took charge of the Mount Tabor Church, seven miles from Brookville, and of the missionary field adjoining it, all in the Clarion Presbytery, in addition to the labors of the Mount Tabor Church, in connection with which at various times he served the churches at Richardsville Mount Pleasant and Mill Creek. The territory was a large one, and fortunately Dr. Leason possessed abundant health and energy to enable him to do many of the things inspired by his zeal. The long and fatiguing rides to remote points, to fill preaching appointments, or to carry spiritual comfort to the sick and the dying in the lumber camps and the scattered cabins of the region, were made willingly, as he also undertook other services outside of his regular pastoral labors. During the Civil war he was one of the most efficient workers of the United States Christian Commission, and indefatigable in the accomplishment of the noble purpose for which it was organized. The cause of temperance also had an earnest advocate in this devoted and farseeing servant of humanity, not only in his public addresses but also in his dealings with individuals, many of whom he helped to better lives and understanding by his sympathetic advice and fraternal attitude. With unflagging interest he kept up his work until his death; apparently as active physically and mentally as ever, passing away suddenly at Brookville, while sitting at a table with his Bible and Greek Testament before him preparing his sermon for the next Sabbath. It is notable that the last year of his life was one of his most successful in the ministry, his last public service being at the Mount Tabor Church, where he received thirty new members at communion. Dr. Leason was as active intellectually as physically. He always found time for study and research, and his congregations had the benefit of his efforts in forceful sermons, carrying the gospel message and sound doctrinal teaching, conscientiously interpreted and prepared with the utmost care. In spite of all the work he attempted he never slighted preparation for the pulpit, having high ideals as to his responsibility in this respect, and faith in the effectiveness of vigorous preaching. His sermons and his contributions to religious literature, particularly those which appeared in the Presbyterian Banner, showed how thoroughly true he was to the doctrines of Presbyterianism, and how wisely he understood them. This was well recognized by the ministry, and the honor he received from Bellevue College, which bestowed the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him in 1889, was conceded to be well deserved. But though sincere in his adherence to his creed, and competent in its exposition, he never became narrow or dogmatic, and the Scriptures themselves held first place in his reverence. His friend Rev. Dr. Conway, of Brookville, in an address made the day of his funeral, said: "He gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry. Faithfully that sensitive and diffident, but true, brave soul, amid discouragements and difficulties that would have overwhelmed a less conscientious and noble spirit, labored to feed his flock with the choicest of the wheat, putting the whole force of his brain, the whole force of his being, to the preparation of his sermons, elaborating them with such painstaking care as if they were to be spoken to thousands of the highest and most accomplished in the land. As one who knew him well said, 'He spared no labor of brain, no labor of tongue, no labor of heart, no labor of foot,' that he might successfully accomplish the great work of the ministry."
Besides the children listed (some of which are given by different sources, but may be different spellings of the same name), he and his wife had several children who died in infancy.
General Notes: Wife - Mary Moore Laird
When she died she was survived by six children, three of each marriage, who also survived Dr. Leason.
1 —, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Her People Past and Present (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1914), Pg 581.
2 —, Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905), Pg 65.
3 —, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Company, 1917), Pg 328.
4 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 286.
5 —, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Company, 1917), Pg 329.
6 —, History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania (Newark, OH: J. A. Caldwell, 1880), Pg 428.
7 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 458.
8 —, History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania (Newark, OH: J. A. Caldwell, 1880), Pg 388.
9 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 297.
10 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 457.
11 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 342.
12
—, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Company, 1917), Pg 330.
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