Leonidas Jefferson Storey

Leonidas Jefferson Storey
13th Lieutenant Governor of Texas
In office January 18, 1881 – January 16, 1883
Governor	Oran Milo Roberts
Preceded by	Joseph D. Sayers
Succeeded by	Francis Marion Martin
Railroad Commissioner of Texas
In office November 21, 1894 – March 28, 1909[1]
Governor	Jim Hogg Charles A. Culberson Joseph D. Sayers S. W. T. Lanham Thomas Mitchell Campbell
Preceded by	William P. McLean
Succeeded by	William D. Williams
Member of the Texas Senate from the 31st district
In office April 18, 1876 – January 11, 1881
Preceded by	District Inactive
Succeeded by	William Henry Burges
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 27th district
In office January 14, 1873 – April 18, 1876
Preceded by	Anderson J. Dorris
Succeeded by	George U. Mead Philip Edward Peers
Personal details
Born	(1834-10-06)October 6, 1834 Chattooga County, Georgia, U.S.
Died	March 28, 1909(1909-03-28) (aged 74) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Lucinda J. Ellison ​ (m. 1859)​
Children	10
Alma mater	Austin College
Military service
Allegiance	Confederacy
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	First lieutenant
Unit	Company B, 26th Texas Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Galveston Battle of Mansfield Battle of Pleasant Hill Battle of Monett's Ferry

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.^[2]

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.^[3] He married Lucinda J. Ellison a year later and they would go on to have ten children together.^[4]

Before the Civil War, Storey earnestly opposed and canvassed against secession.^[3] After secession he fought in the 26th Texas Cavalry Regiment.^[4][5] He rose from the rank of second lieutenant to first lieutenant of B Company.^[3]

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.^[4][6]

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.^[2] 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.^[4]

Leonidas Jefferson Storey at Find a Grave