Robert Franklin Leedy
Encyclopedia
Robert Franklin Leedy was a lawyer, soldier, and Virginia state legislator.
, a son of John (1826–1889) and Sarah Ann Mauck Leedy (1830–1896). At the time of R.F. Leedy's birth, his father was on detailed service from the Confederate army to conduct farming operations. John Leedy served one year in the 10th Virginia Infantry
before being detailed to this service. Like his father, Robert was initially a farmer, working on the family farm until the age of 22.
. He engaged in a variety activities there, including real estate and mercantile pursuits, and he began to read law under D.S. Henkle, and in the offices of Floyd Wise Weaver and John B. Minor
. Eventually entering the summer law school at the University of Virginia
, Leedy was admitted to the bar in Augusta County, Virginia
in September 1893.
. A junior partner in the law form of Weaver (Floyd Wise Weaver) and Leedy, he left the firm in 1899 to practice alone. In 1908, he partnered with Richard F. Berry and T.L. Benson to create the firm of Leedy and Berry. During his legal career, Leedy was particularly known for work on several cases pertaining to railroad damage suits.
In 1914, Leedy was elected as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
in the Virginia General Assembly
. Representing Page County, Virginia
and Rappahannock County, Virginia
, he held his seat for two terms.
. Leedy quickly rose in the regiment, being promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1905 and full colonel by August of the same year. In June 1916, the 2nd Regiment was one of a number called up from the National Guard in a Border support role
in support of the Pancho Villa Expedition
. He continued to command the regiment during its nine month stay near the Mexican border, at Brownsville, Texas
. Not long after the regiment returned to Virginia, it was called-up again for service when the United States committed to participation in the First World War
. When the regiment was sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama in preparation for shipment overseas as part of the American Expeditionary Force
, it was combined with the 1st and 4th Virginia as the 116th Regiment, subsequently becoming part of the 29th Infantry Division. Though he planned to continue to command the regiment after the consolidation, Leedy failed rigorous physical tests and was relieved of command.
to the Senate of Virginia
, representing Page
, Warren
, and Clarke
counties. During this time, Leedy continued to be a strong advocate for the National Guard and he collaborated with James Hay in the development of the Hay Army Bill, giving new status to the National Guard. Leedy was also known, during his time in the Senate of Virginia in 1920, for his strong opposition to prohibition
and Women's Suffrage.
In that same year, Leedy unsuccessfully made a bid for the United States House of Representatives
, running against Thomas W. Harrison
, of Winchester, Virginia
, for Virginia's 7th Congressional District
. A major factor in his loss may have been that he ran on an anti-Volstead
platform in a dry district. Two years later, despite efforts of his supporters to get him to run again, Leedy opted to support Harrison.
Leedy became very ill in December 1923 and, by January, had developed a case of double pneumonia. He died at his home, "The Maples", in Luray on Saturday, 12 January 1924. He was buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Luray.
, Luray Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, Luray Commandery, Knights Templar, and Acca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Richmond. He was also a member of the Miller-Campbell Post, American Legion
in Luray.
Childhood
Robert Franklin Leedy was born at Leedy's Pump, Rockingham County, VirginiaRockingham County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, a son of John (1826–1889) and Sarah Ann Mauck Leedy (1830–1896). At the time of R.F. Leedy's birth, his father was on detailed service from the Confederate army to conduct farming operations. John Leedy served one year in the 10th Virginia Infantry
10th Virginia Infantry
The 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia....
before being detailed to this service. Like his father, Robert was initially a farmer, working on the family farm until the age of 22.
Education and early life
After receiving a basic education in the in the common schools of his county of birth, and after leaving home at the age of 22, Leedy spent the next three years mining and railroading. He returned to the family farm when he was about 25. On 27 March 1890, Leedy married Emma Cathrine Keister, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Keister. Shortly after marrying, the new couple relocated to Basic City, VirginiaBasic City, Virginia
Basic City was an incorporated town located in Augusta County, Virginia, in the United States. Formed in 1890, it was named after a process for steel manufacture. This process was to be implemented in Basic City, and gave rise to land speculation...
. He engaged in a variety activities there, including real estate and mercantile pursuits, and he began to read law under D.S. Henkle, and in the offices of Floyd Wise Weaver and John B. Minor
John B. Minor
John Barbee Minor was an American academic. He taught law at the University of Virginia for fifty years. His students achieved eminence in professional or public lives...
. Eventually entering the summer law school at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, Leedy was admitted to the bar in Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
in September 1893.
Early career in law and politics
In the midst of his legal education, Leedy was elected mayor of Basic City. Reelected in 1894, Leedy resigned a year later and moved to Luray, VirginiaLuray, Virginia
Luray is a town in Page County, Virginia, United States, in the Shenandoah Valley of the northern part of the state. It is also the county seat...
. A junior partner in the law form of Weaver (Floyd Wise Weaver) and Leedy, he left the firm in 1899 to practice alone. In 1908, he partnered with Richard F. Berry and T.L. Benson to create the firm of Leedy and Berry. During his legal career, Leedy was particularly known for work on several cases pertaining to railroad damage suits.
In 1914, Leedy was elected as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
in the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
. Representing Page County, Virginia
Page County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,177 people, 9,305 households, and 6,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 people per square mile . There were 10,557 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
and Rappahannock County, Virginia
Rappahannock County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,373 people, 2,788 households, and 2,004 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 3,303 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, he held his seat for two terms.
Military interests
A successful lawyer, Leedy was also regularly involved in military matters, serving with the Virginia Volunteers (National Guard) for many years. In September 1902, he was made a captain of the "Page Rifles," which was an unassigned militia company in Luray until mustered in as Company C of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, Virginia National GuardVirginia National Guard
The Virginia National Guard consists of the Virginia Army National Guard and the Virginia Air National Guard. It is part of the Government of Virginia though the National Guard across the United States is mostly funded by federal monies. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges...
. Leedy quickly rose in the regiment, being promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1905 and full colonel by August of the same year. In June 1916, the 2nd Regiment was one of a number called up from the National Guard in a Border support role
Mexican Border Service Medal
The Mexican Border Service Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was established by an act of the United States Congress on July 9, 1918...
in support of the Pancho Villa Expedition
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—officially known in the United States as the Mexican Expedition and sometimes colloquially referred to as the Punitive Expedition—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican insurgent Francisco "Pancho" Villa...
. He continued to command the regiment during its nine month stay near the Mexican border, at Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
. Not long after the regiment returned to Virginia, it was called-up again for service when the United States committed to participation in the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. When the regiment was sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama in preparation for shipment overseas as part of the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
, it was combined with the 1st and 4th Virginia as the 116th Regiment, subsequently becoming part of the 29th Infantry Division. Though he planned to continue to command the regiment after the consolidation, Leedy failed rigorous physical tests and was relieved of command.
Late career
Leedy returned to Luray in March 1918 and was elected the following fall as an unopposed DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
, representing Page
Page County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,177 people, 9,305 households, and 6,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 people per square mile . There were 10,557 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
, Warren
Warren County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,584 people, 12,087 households, and 8,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 13,299 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
, and Clarke
Clarke County, Virginia
Clarke County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 14,034. Its county seat is Berryville.-History:Clarke County was established in 1836 by Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron who built a home, Greenway Court, on part of his 5 million acre property,...
counties. During this time, Leedy continued to be a strong advocate for the National Guard and he collaborated with James Hay in the development of the Hay Army Bill, giving new status to the National Guard. Leedy was also known, during his time in the Senate of Virginia in 1920, for his strong opposition to prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
and Women's Suffrage.
In that same year, Leedy unsuccessfully made a bid for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, running against Thomas W. Harrison
Thomas W. Harrison
Thomas Walter Harrison was a U.S. Representative from Virginia, father of Burr Powell Harrison.Born in Leesburg, Virginia, Harrison attended local academies at Leesburg, Middleburg, and Hanover....
, of Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
, for Virginia's 7th Congressional District
Virginia's 7th congressional district
Virginia's Seventh Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The district is currently represented by Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, the current House majority leader, first elected in 2000.-Voting:...
. A major factor in his loss may have been that he ran on an anti-Volstead
Andrew Volstead
Andrew John Volstead was an American member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota,1903–1923, and a member of the Republican Party. His name is closely associated with the National Prohibition Act of 1919, usually called the Volstead Act...
platform in a dry district. Two years later, despite efforts of his supporters to get him to run again, Leedy opted to support Harrison.
Leedy became very ill in December 1923 and, by January, had developed a case of double pneumonia. He died at his home, "The Maples", in Luray on Saturday, 12 January 1924. He was buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Luray.
Organizational affiliations
Robert F. Leedy was a member of several different organizations including the Lafayette Lodge, No. 137, Ancient Free and Accepted MasonsFreemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
, Luray Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, Luray Commandery, Knights Templar, and Acca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Richmond. He was also a member of the Miller-Campbell Post, American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
in Luray.
Further reading
- Page News and Courier, “Gen. Leedy, Soldier, Lawyer, and Legislator, Passes Away." 15 January 1924.
- Tyler, Lyon GardinerLyon Gardiner TylerLyon Gardiner Tyler, Sr. was a U.S. educator and historian.-Biography:He was the son of President John Tyler and First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler, born at Sherwood Forest Plantation. He graduated in 1875 at the University of Virginia...
(ed.), Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol. 5, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., N.Y., 1915. - Wilson, Leonard (ed.), Makers of America: Biographies of Leading Men of Thought and Action, the Men who Constitute the Bone and Sinew of American Prosperity and Life, Vol. 1, Johnson, 1915.
- Moore, Robert H. II, "Robert Franklin Leedy (1863-1924)." Page News and Courier 18 February 2010.
External links
- Robert Franklin Leedy at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...