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The SLCHA Quarterly,
Volume XlIII - Number 4 - Fall
1998 contains a biography of Leffert. L. Buck titled:
"Buck's Bridges: Civil Engineering Roots in the Victorian Age",
by Alan Teichman.
Read
the "Quarterly" article in PDF format.
Synopsis:
"Buck's Bridges: Civil Engineering Roots in the Victorian Age", opens
by describing the celebratory dinner of the St. Lawrence University Club in New
York City following the opening of the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903.
It then reveals the family relationships which connect Leffert to the hamlet of Buck's Bridge, in Potsdam
Township, and to the Village of Canton, NY. His family
were active members of the North Country community, participating in
politics and helping to found educational institutions including St. Lawrence
University.
Some of Leffert's most trying
experiences came as a member of the 60th New York Volunteers during the civil
war. Leffert was wounded twice while serving
with the North Country Regiment, which took part in several of the major
battles of the war.
Following the civil war, he enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute and upon graduation, began a leading career in civil
engineering. Leffert's interest lay primarily
in bridge design and construction. Several of his bridges were of record
length and he regularly demonstrated ingenious methods of construction.
Nine illustrations accompany the article.
Companion Article:
"Massena Center Suspension Bridge", by Atwood Manley is also
in Volume XlIII - Number 4 - Fall
1998. This article originally appeared in the Massena Observer in
December, 1974. In it, Manley tells the story of how Holton D. Robinson
(1863-1945) interrupted is civil engineering
career to design and built this small suspension bridge in his home town.
Holton had gotten his start in bridge building by working for Leffert L. Buck, and was partners with David B. Steinman
for many years toward the end of his career. Holton was an expert in
suspension cable construction and their partnership built many long span
bridges, including the Thousand Islands Bridge.
Three illustrations accompany the article.
The SLCHA "Quarterly" is a periodical
addressing the history of St. Lawrence County.
It is published by the St. Lawrence Co. Historical
Association
for its members and friends.
The "Quarterly is available from the St. Lawrence Co. Historical
Association.
The cost is $4.00 (non-members) or $2.00 (members) +7% Sales Tax + $2.00 for
shipping.
for further information, see their SLCHA Publications web page.
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