Leonard Corle was born about 1755 in Lindberg, Niderbayern, Germany. Anecdotal reports indicate he was the son of John Karl and Susannah Yost.

Some time in his young life, Leonard emigrated from Germany. One family anecdote suggests that he arrived in Philadelphia, PA as a young child.

In 1776, the American Revolution began and young Leonard enlisted at Abbotstown, York County, PA. He served as a private for the Pennsylvania regiment of the Continental Army under Capt. Thomas Church's Company under the auspices of Col. Anthony Wayne. Leonard participated in the Battle of Three Rivers near Montreal, Canada on June 6, 1776. The battle took place as part of a failed American invasion of Canada, where about 6,000 British troops overwhelmed 2,000 American soldiers.

After the war Leonard married Mary Magdelene Harbaugh. Mary was born about 1755 in Lindberg, Niderbayern, Germany, just like Leonard, which would lead one to believe that their families were acquainted with each other, and perhaps Leonard and Mary had emigrated on the same boat.

Leonard and Mary had six sons--John Corle Sr., Jacob Corle Sr., George Corle Sr., Joseph Corle Sr., Samuel Corle, and Adam Corle Sr. All six sons married and raised families.

Leonard and Mary also had at least three daughters: Elizabeth, Frances "Frannie," and Theresa "Tiesh", all of whose fates are unknown. They may also have had another two daughters, Mary Magdalene (Corle) Treese and Veronica Kate.

In 1781 Leonard and Mary resided in Franklin County, PA when their son Jacob was born. They eventually moved to Western Pennsylvania and settled in St. Clair Township, Bedford County, PA.

Leonard applied for a pension from the US Government (pension claim S-40842) on May 30, 1818 while living in St. Clair Twp, Bedford County, PA. His original service record was, unfortunately, destroyed in a fire.

Son George is said to have died in 1829 in St. Clair Twp at the age of about 46. The fate of George's wife is unknown. Her maiden name may have been Anna Marie Christina Gabel.

The 1832 Tax list for St. Clair Twp shows Leonard with 200 acres (improvement), 2 horses, 1 cow, and about $70 in assets.

Leonard and Mary resided on land that became part of the newly formed Union Township. Their children were among the original settlers of Pavia, a small village in Union Township.

When Mary died in 1830 at about the age of 80, she and Leonard had been married for over 50 years.

Leonard lived a very long life and died in 1847 at about the age of 92.

Leonard and Mary are buried at Mt. Zion (Pavia) Cemetery, Pavia.

In 1903 Leonard and Mary’s descendants erected a new grave marker in remembrance of their ancestors. An article appeared in the Bedford Gazette (Bedford, PA) in June 5, 1903, which reads as follows:
    “An interesting feature of the Memorial Day exercises at Pavia was the dedication of a monument erected to the memory of Leonard Corl, under the auspices of the G.A.R. Leonard Corl was the ancestor of the numerous Corl connections of Bedford county. It is said that he came to Pennsylvania from Virginia when a boy and settled in York county. He entered the Revolutionary army as a member of a Keystone state regiment and served under Gen. Anthony Wayne, being one of the musicians of his regiment. After the war he came to Bedford county and made his home near Pavia, where he lived until the final summons came. He was the grandfather of John A. Corle, of Bedford.
    “The exercises were held on Saturday in the Reformed church at Pavia. Hon. J. H. Longenecker, of Bedford, made an appropriate and interesting address. Rev. S. U. Waugaman, of Claysburg, conducted the religious services, and the Grand Army post took part in the programme. The monument was purchased by the patriotic citizens of Pavia and vicinity and was erected in the cemetery at the Reformed church.
    “The inscription on one side of the square shaft is as follows:
LEONARD CORL,
a soldier of
the Revolutionary
War
Died
Aug 4, 1847
aged
92 Yrs & 6 Ms

“On the opposite side is the following inscription:
MARY M.,
wife of
Leonard Corl,
died
Mar 1835,
aged
about 80 Yrs"


As of 2007 their descendants number in the tens of thousand.