My mother in law did a lot of research on the Lesher's. I have been working on my side and am just starting my husbands side. I can tell you a little about Col. John Lesher. I also have a picture of his tombstone if anyone would be interested in that. After his father Nicholas died, John paid more attention to agriculture and less to Iron. Before 1750 he owned one of the finest farms in the Oley Valley in the forks of the junction of the smaller Manatawny, with the larger stream. On February 24, Nicholas made a gift of the farm to his son John. Farm consisted of 214 acres. In 1791, it passed into the hands of Henry Fisher and adjoined the famous Anthony Lee farm. The signatures of Nicholas and wife appeared in deeding of farm to John as Niheel Lescher and Maria Johannestha Lescherin. In German the form C added to name and in added means Mrs. John Lesher, John Yoder and John Ross of Philadelphia erected a forge on the upper Manatawny about 10 miles from its mouth on 200 acres of land. Business was done under the firm name of John Lesher & Co. In 1750 Mr. Yoder withdrew and sold his one-third interest to John Lesher. Iron bars were made at this forge during the revolution, at this time John made his two sons-in-law partners. He became very active in the revolution. John was one of the first to reach general Washington at Cambridge. he became attached to general Pattons regiment of 8 companies of riflemen known to have rendered valuable service to general Washington during camp on long island. He commanded a company under Col. Hunter's first PA battalion. he rose to the title of Colonel. He represented the County at Constitutional convention in 1776. Served the general Assembly 1776-1782. helped prepare declaration of rights. During the revolution was commissioner of purchases for army supplies. when he was a worker in iron he signed his name as Smith on documents and releases. He was prominent in the French and Indian Wars. Appointed Wagon Master in 1785. He could speak German and English.
John married Marie Yoder (Goader) Sept. 25,1740. Their children were Anna Barbara, Johanna, Marie Yoder Lesher. John married a second time to Maria Margaretta Hess.. Their children were John, Jacob, Catherine, Maria (or Margaret) and Elizabeth.