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George F. LeClere
Born January 14, 1817


GEORGE F. LECLERE. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the wealthy retired farmers residing in Monticello. He came to Iowa comparatively a poor man and began farming on a tract of eighty acres in Dubuque County, He made a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs, and as he prospered invested his money in real estate, until at one time he was the owner of over eighteen hundred acres in this state. He is consequently one of the wealthiest retired farmers in this portion of Iowa and one of its largest landowners, notwithstanding he has given his children considerable property when ready to settle in life.
Mr. LeClere was born in France, January 14, 1817, and is the son of George F. and Catherine (Belea) LeClere, who emigrated to the United States with their family in the year 1828, landing in New York. They made their home on a farm in the woods of Oswego County, which they cleared, cultivated and lived upon until 1852, when the father died. Mrs. LeClere survived him until 1872, when she passed away at the home of her son, G. F.
The subject of this sketch was one in the family of eleven children born to his parents, only four of whom are now living. One is in New York, another in Storm Lake, Iowa, and the third in Dubuque County. Like his brothers and sisters, he attended the district school in Oswego County, N. Y., and remained on his father's farm until attaining manhood.
In 1841 our subject and Miss Louisa Laude were united in marriage. The lady was born in France and was the daughter of James and Margaret (Bourquin) Laude. Mr. and Mrs. LeClere located upon a farm in Oswego County, N. Y. where they lived until 1846, the date of their advent into Dubuque County, Iowa. Here he became the proprietor of eighty acres, which he cultivated in such a profitable manner that he was soon enabled to enlarge his estate, and continued to add to his possessions until he became the owner of one of the largest tracts in the county.
In 1878 Mr. LeClere removed from his farm to Monticello, where he has since resided in the ease and luxury which his industry so well deserves. To their union there have been born eight children, of whom four sons and two daughters are living. Charles F. is in Prairieburg, Iowa; Eliza C. is the wife of Morris Bebb, and resides in Monticello; George F. is a farmer and minister of the Presbyterian Church and makes his home in Texas; Albert D. is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in Dubuque County; Henry A. has in his possession three hundred and twenty acres also lying in Dubuque County; Lulu is Mrs. Smith; Emily and Susie are deceased.
In politics our subject was in early life a Whig and cast his first Presidential vote for General Harrison. He is now, however, a strong Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party. Religiously he and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and their whole lives reflect great credit in that connection.

Source: Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pgs. 351-352
Submitted by: Becky Teubner

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