COL Robert Franklin Leedy

COL Robert Franklin Leedy was born 28 Jul 1863 at Leedy's Pump in Rockingham County, Virginia. He was the third of six children of John Brower and second wife Sarah Ann (Mauck) Leedy. The couple had lost their first two children in childbirth. Robert also had a half-sister, the daughter of his father's first wife Lydia Margaret (McCreary) who had died in 1856. His father supported his family by farming. Robert was educated in local schools as was common at that time and continued in farming until he was about 22 years old when he left home. He then spent the next three years in mining and railroading. He married Emma Catherine Keister in 1890 and the couple would have seven children by 1915. Moving to Basic City, Virginia, Robert began to study law and work for local lawyers and then to study in the law school of the University of Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1893. Although twice elected mayor of Basic City in this time period, after becoming a lawyer he resigned from the office and moved to Luray, Virginia where he practiced law in partnership and alone. Robert was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1914 and held the seat for two terms. 

The law and politics were not Robert's only interests. He joined the state militia, now National Guard, and was elected Captain of the Page Rifles later C Company 2nd Virginia Regiment. He rose in rank in the regiment becoming the commander and a Colonel in August of 1905. The regiment was called up for duty on the Mexican border in 1916 and COL Leedy commanded the unit there for nine months. Shortly after returning home, the unit was recalled for duty in the first World War and sent to the newly established Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama where it was combined with other Virginia regiments to form the 116th Infantry Regiment. Intending to continue command, COL Leedy was found to be medically unfit for duty and relieved of command. 

Returning home in March 1918 Robert ran for the state senate and was elected as a Democrat representing Page, Warren and Clark counties. In office he supported the National Guard but opposed both prohibition and women's suffrage. The family suffered a tragedy when, in November 1918, Robert's eldest child, Nina Coleman Leedy, succumbed to pneumonia. He then unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1920 and declined to run again in 1922. 

Robert became ill in December 1923, developed pneumonia and died on 12 Jan 1924. He was buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Luray, Virginia.

Robert Leedy was a member of several masonic organizations and of the American Legion.

His father served in several units (CSA) in the Civil War ultimately being promoted to COL. Great-grandfather Conrad Harnsberger served in CPT Thomas Buck's Company 8th Virginia Regiment in the Revolution and as a COL in the war of 1812 dying of yellow fever in Norfolk in 1814 and was a founder of Elkton, Virginia. Great, great-grandfather Wilson Cary Nicholas was a former Governor of Virginia (1814-1816) and Nicholas county, Virginia (now West Virginia) was named for him. Great, great-grandfather CPT Richard Stites was commanding a company in Hunt's Battalion when wounded on Long Island later dying of his wound(s) on 16 Sep 1776. His great, great, great-grandfather was President Thomas Jefferson.