Robert Leamon (Leeman), progenitor of the Leamons of Schenectady, was born in the highlands of Scotland, and when a young man came to the United States. He made settlement in the town of Middleburg, Schoharie county, New York, where he became a farmer and was thrice married. After his third marriage he removed to the state of Wisconsin, where he died in 1895 at the age of ninety years. His first two wives were sisters by the name of Hayes, of Middleburg, where they died. His third wife went with him to Wisconsin, where she died. He had six children, who all went to Wisconsin. By his first wife he had Thomas and John. By second wife he had
- George (see forward),
- William, died in Seattle,
- a daughter, married Rufus Parsons, and had a son who married.
(II) George Leeman, son of Robert Leamon, was born at Cotton Hill, Middleburg, Schoharie county, New York, in 1832, died at Central Bridge, New York, January 12, 1905. He was the only member of the family who permanently settled in New York state. He was a successful farmer of the town of Esperance, Schoharie county. He was a strong Democrat, loved his party, and in every way possible contributed to its success. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, in Middleburg, Nancy J. Possom, born in 1834, now living with son Alfred at Central Bridge. She is a Methodist in religion, but attends the Reformed church. She is a daughter of Peter W. and Polly (Bartholomew) Possom. The Bartholomews came from France with Lafayette, and the father had a grant of land in Schoharie county, New York, for his revolutionary services. He was later captain of a company in the war of 1812. Peter W. Possom had nine children who grew to years of maturity. They were noted for health, strength and length of years. George and Nancy (Possom) Leeman had:
- Martha, died at age of fourteen years.
- Estelle, married Stephen V. R. Ford, of Schenectady; have had fourteen children, eight of whom are living.
- Alfred, married Annie Styfler; a farmer of Schoharie county, in the town of Central Bridge; children: John, Kittie, May, Ward, Ina and Frederick.
- Harvey, see forward.
(III) Harvey, youngest son of George and Nancy J. (Possom) Leeman, was born in Middleburg, Schoharie county, New York, and educated at the Schoharie Academy. For a time he engaged in teaching, then in mercantile life. He is now in the real estate business. He settled in Schenectady in 1886, and is one of the substantial men of the city. He married, in Albany county, Emma Hallenbeck, born there in 1865, daughter of Garrett J. and Lucinda (Van Valkenburg) Hallenbeck. Garrett J., born 1815, died 1900, was son of Jacob I., and grandson of Frederick Hallenbeck, one of the two brothers of that name who settled in Rensselaer county and had issue. Jacob I. married Christina Waldron, daughter of Barent Waldron. Lucinda Van Valkenburgh was the daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca (McMichael) Van Valkenburgh, natives of the town of Guilderland, Albany county, New York.
Harvey and Emma (Hallenbeck) Leeman have children:
- Alexander, born June 2, 1889; student in Union University, class 1912.
- Leota, born February 12, 1893, was a student at Schenectady high school; died June 5, 1908; a girl of beautiful character and great promise.
Mr. Leeman is a man of unquestioned, unflinching honesty and integrity. He stands very high in his community, and when a grand jury was called to investigate the board of supervisors of Schenectady county in 1910, he was chosen foreman, and under the evidence presented found bills of indictment against the accused ones. This required courage and true public spirit, as many of the supervisors were old time acquaintances and friends. But a strong sense of public duty prevailed, and the jury under Mr. Leeman's guidance did their full duty. Both he and his wife attend the First Reformed Church of Schenectady.