John T. Lesley

John Thomas Lesley (May 12, 1835 – July 13, 1913) was a cattleman and pioneer in Tampa, Florida. He fought in the Third Seminole War and was a captain in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Lesley formed his own volunteer company the "Sunny South Guards", and commanded the "Cow Cavalry", until he was wounded and replaced by W. B. Henderson. After the war he became a state senator.[1]

John T. Lesley
Lesley in the late 19th Century
12th Mayor of Tampa
In office
October 4, 1869 – March 1, 1869
Preceded byJosiah A. Ferris
Succeeded byJohn A. Henderson
Personal details
Born(1835-05-12)May 12, 1835
Madison County, Florida
DiedJuly 13, 1913(1913-07-13) (aged 78)
Tampa, Florida
Political partyDemocrat
Spouse(s)Margaret Brown Tucker
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
 Confederate States of America
Branch/service United States Army
 Confederate States Army
Years of service1855 (USA)
1862-1863
Rank Captain
Unit4th Florida Infantry
1st. Special Cavalry Battalion
Battles/wars

Prior to the Civil War he owned a few slaves.[2]

Major William Iredell Turner (1812-1881) and Lesley (then a major) helped Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin escape following the collapse of the Confederacy and hid Benjamin in a swamp behind Major Turner's House. He remained there for several days until they were sure the area was cleared of Federal soldiers. Benjamin was then transported to Gamble Mansion. Lesley was one of the original owners of the Tampa Street Railway.

His marriage to William T. Brown's daughter Margaret created what would become a powerful dynasty in business, politics and agriculture.[1] Lesley's son William T. Lesley was Sheriff and a member of the Florida Constitutional Convention of 1885. Theodore Lesley, John T. Lesley's other son, was a county historian and preservationist.[1]

Lesley is buried in downtown Tampa's Oaklawn Cemetery.[3]

References
  2. Tampa in Civil War and Reconstruction by Carter Brown Jr. Page 12
  3. Oaklawn Walking Tour Archived 2013-06-23 at the Wayback Machine Tampa Parks and Recreation
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