Harry G. Leslie
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| Harry G. Leslie | |
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| In office 1923 – 1927 |
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33rd Governor of Indiana
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| In office January 14, 1929 – January 9, 1933 |
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| Preceded by | Edward L. Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Paul V. McNutt |
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| Born | April 6, 1878 West Lafayette, Indiana |
| Died | December 10, 1937 Miami, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Martha Morgan Pierce[1] |
| Alma mater | Purdue University |
| Religion | Methodist[2] |
Harry Guyer Leslie (April 6, 1878 - December 10, 1937) was a Indiana Republican Party politician, speaker of the state house and governor.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Leslie was born in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was elected town clerk while still in grammar school. He attended Purdue University where he was a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. While at Purdue, Leslie played football becoming of the schools "immortal" player. He miraculously survived the tragic 1903 train wreck that killed sixteen of his fellow team members in Indianapolis. After many operations to repair extensive injuries, he graduated from Purdue and received his law degree from Indiana University.
Leslie opened his law office in Lafayette, became involved in Tippecanoe County politics, and was elected county treasurer in 1912 and 1914. He engaged in farming from 1914 to 1924, serving also as a bank president.
[edit] Political career
Leslie, a Republican, was elected as representative in the Indiana house for three terms and served five years in the body. He was its speaker in 1925 and 1927 before his election as governor in 1928.
A blunt, simple man, Leslie had an unusual talent for friendships and as governor was known for his straightforward style of administration. His term as governor coincided with the beginning of the Great Depression, and among his efforts to ameliorate its effects a special legislative session was called in 1932 to reduce taxes and expenses of government. The times where particularly hard as the state was hit with drought and high unemployment.
[edit] Return to private life
Following his governorship Leslie became a founder, and eventually the president, of Standard Life Insurance Company in Indianapolis. He was a Down-to-earth man and witty. Leslie's close friends included George Ade and Will Rogers.
Leslie died on December 10, 1937 in Miami, Florida and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait
- Indiana County History - Leslie Biography
- National Governors Association
| Preceded by Ed Jackson |
Governor of Indiana January 14, 1929-January 9, 1933 |
Succeeded by Paul V. McNutt |
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