Bernardhus Van Leer

Bernardhus Van Leer (1687–January 1790) was a German-American physician Centenarian, who was father of American Revolutionary War Captain Samuel Van Leer and physician Benjamin van Leer.

Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer was born in Germany to Johann and Mary van Lohr or Van Leer, one of William Penn’s first investors His family was from Birstein in Hesse and he immigrated to the New World at age 11 in 1698. His great-great-grandfather Hans von Leer or sometimes von Lähr fought for the Swiss in the Battle of GrandsonAfter spending seven years back in Europe, where he qualified as a physician, Dr. Van Leer maintained an exclusive office practice, which was unique for the time. Dr. Van Leer's son Captain Samuel Van Leer would later play an important role in American history as a revolutionary war soldier and army supplier with his iron business. His neighbor Isaac Wayne's daughter married Capt Samuel Van Leer in 1770.

The Van Leer Cabin and Mortonson-Van Leer Log Cabin were once part of his family's property.

While some of Dr. Van Leer's descendants gained fame in medicine, others achieved different distinguished careers in US history e.g.:

• Florence Van Leer Earle Coates (1850–1927), American poet
• Blake Van Leer (1893–1956), president of Georgia Institute of Technology and colonel
• Samuel Van Leer, (1747–1825) ironmaster and captain in the American Revolutionary War
• Maryly Van Leer Peck (1930–2011), American academic, and the first female President of a Florida Community College. Maryly was inducted in the Florida Women's Hall of Fame and received an award from Daughters of the American Revolution
• David Van Leer (1949–2013), American educator, author and cultural studies researcher
• George Howard Earle Jr., lawyer and "financial diplomat" who was highly sought after to save ailing corporations from financial ruin