Leonidas Jefferson Storey (October 6, 1834 – March 28, 1909) was an American politician and military officer who served as the 13th lieutenant governor of Texas from 1881 to 1883. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in both houses of the Texas Legislature from 1873 to 1881.[1]
Biography
Leonidas Jefferson Storey was born on October 6, 1834, to John Thompson and Lucy (née McLester) Storey in Chattooga County, Georgia near Summerville. Margaret (née Thompson) and Edward Storey, both of old families of Virginia, were his paternal grandparents. His mother's parents, John and Araminta McLester, were of North Carolina. John T. and Edward Storey both fought in the War of 1812–1815, serving in the same regiment when the former was seventeen years of age. His father later moved from North Carolina to Jackson County, Georgia, in 1818, later participating in the removal of the Cherokee from Georgia in 1833. John Thompson Storey served many years in the Georgia Legislature and was a member of the Whig party. In 1845, the family moved to Gonzales, Texas, and two years later, to Lockhart.
Leonidas Jefferson Storey attended Austin College under Rev. Daniel Baker for one term, which he passed. He returned home due to sickness, and later began to read law in Lockhart in 1858, under Rogan and Whitis.[2] He married Lucinda J. Ellison a year later and they would go on to have ten children together.[3]
Before the Civil War, Storey earnestly opposed and canvassed against secession.[2] After secession he fought in the 26th Texas Cavalry Regiment.[3][4] He rose from the rank of second lieutenant to first lieutenant of B Company.[2]
From January 14, 1873, to April 18, 1876, Storey represented the 27th district, which included the county of Caldwell, in the Texas House of Representatives. After his tenure in the house, he was a member of the Texas Senate from 1876 to 1881, representing District 31.[3][5]
In 1880, Storey was elected as the 13th lieutenant governor of Texas. He served in the office from January 18, 1881, to January 16, 1883, before leaving after a single term.[1] Governor Jim Hogg appointed Storey to the Railroad Commission of Texas in 1892, eventually becoming chairman on January 20, 1903. He held the position until his death on March 28, 1909, at the age of 74.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Leonidas Jefferson Storey". Lt. Governors of Texas, 1845 - present. Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas: Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and Many Early Settled Families. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Company. 1889. pp. 795–96 – via University of North Texas Libraries.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d "Storey, Leonidas Jefferson (1834–1909)". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. July 1, 1995. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "Storey, Leonidas J." Civil War Soldiers. National Park Service. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ "Leonidas Jefferson Storey". Texas Legislators: Past & Present. Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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