Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-18
j, SILAS IEAS
PASSES away
Prominent Manufacturer and
Long Time Resident of the
City Is Dead.
CAME FROM EAST IN 1850
With Father, Established First flour
Mill in Rock Island-PrOmin-
ent i'm Masonic Bodies.


citizen of Rock Island passed away at
his home. TAO Thirtieth street, early
this morning after short illness.
Mr.. Leas had retired from active life
within the last few years, but up to
some of the most prominent manufac-
turing interests in this city and Mo
line. being president of the Barnard
& Leas Manufacturing company Df
Moline at the time of his death. Be
sides his manufacturing interests, he
had invested heavily in real estate
while property in this city was of no
great value and his estate was a large
and valuable one.
Born I'm Pennsylvania.
He was born Oct. 81, 1880, in Cum
berland county, Pa, his parents being
Mr. and Mrs. Christian II. Leas, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
His mother died when he was but two
years old. He attended the public
! schools of his home town for a mum
Der of years and then entered all
academy conducted by Professor Burns
After completing the course of study
| laid down by the professor, he entered
the employ of his father who was a
merchant and served as a clerk.
| Came Here in 1850.
In 1850, the Leas family decided to
move TO the west and they settled in
this city May of that year. Mr. Leas
| father opened a merchandise store and
the son again entered his employ
Some time later he was taken into
partnership by his father and the firm
name was made c. H. Leas & Son
Four years after their arrival here, the
firm disposed of its holdings in the
merchandise business and built thc
first -four mill in Rock Island. This
proved a profitable investment ant
they We're enabled to dispose of it il
1861 at a good figure. ]. Silas Leas
then purchased an interest in the firm
of Wycoff & Barnard of Moline. a firm
which was engaged in the manufacture
of mill machinery. The firm name wa:
changed to Wycoff, Barnard & com
lpany and later to Barnard & Leas
From a small beginning, the bushes:
grew until today it is one of the lead
ing industries i'll Moline.
Mr. Leas put in 10 years travelling
for the firm and then he gave owe
most of his time up until his retire
ment TO securing patents on the inven
ltions made by Mr.. Barnard. In all hi
dealings Mr.. Leas showed such intes
rity business ability and foresight
that he won an enviable reputatio:
as a valuable citizen to the com
munity.
, In 1903 Mr.. Leas was united in MAJ
riage with Mrs. Emily Frances Lam
bert, who preceded him in death b
about two years. She passed ava
Jan. 20, 1907 He is survived by
stepdaughter, Mrs. Anna Mcguire
two stepsons, Abram H. and George T
Lambert and half brother. John Leas
all of this city.
Prominent as Mason.
Mr.. Leas was prominent in Masoni
; circles. He was a member and pas
officer of the following lodges: Roc
+ Island lodge No 65S. A. F. & A. NJ
Rock Island chapter No. IS, r. A. M
Rock Island council No 20, R. and
J. NJ, and the Rock Island commander
!, No. IS, Knights Templar His recor
in Masonry was remarkable. AS ia
: back as 1869 he was elected eminer
, commander of Everett commander,
, now Rock Island commandery. He wa
1 also past commander of both Rock l
a land and Trio lodges. He was pa:
t commander of the commandery whic
V will have charge of his funeral Sc
o vices which will be held from Trinit
Episcopal church Thursday Afternoon
Rev. Granville H. Sherwood will of
g ciate and burial will take place
=, Chippiannocll cemetery.