Harry G. Leslie

Harry Guyer Leslie ( born April 6, 1878 in West Lafayette, Indiana, † December 10, 1937 in Miami, Florida ) was an American politician and 1929-1933 the 33rd Governor of Indiana.

Early years

The exact date of birth of Harry Leslie stated differently in the sources. The County History of Indiana called April 6, 1878 as date of birth, while the National Governor Association starts from August 6 this year. Leslie attended after school Purdue University. There he was a member of the football team. In 1903 he suffered in a train accident serious injury, in which 16 of his teammates were killed. After his recovery, he was able to graduate in 1905 at the University. He then studied at the University of Indiana Law. After his graduation and compulsory admission to the bar he practiced in Lafayette, Indiana. Leslie was a member of the Republican Party. Between 1913 and 1917 he was treasurer in Tippecanoe County. At the same time he worked as a farmer and bank director. From 1923 to 1927 he was a deputy in the regional parliament of Indiana. During the last two years, he was even President of the Chamber ( Speaker). In 1928 he was elected as a candidate of his party for the new governor.

Governor of Indiana

Leslie began his four -year term on 14 January 1929. Almost his entire reign was overshadowed by the great economic crisis that spread as a result of the New York stock market crash of October 1929 on the entire Western world. Also in Indiana led the economic depression to banking crises, high unemployment and a corresponding dissatisfaction among the workers. It even came to labor unrest. In addition caused a drought for a worsening of the situation. The governor responded by cutting taxes and cut government spending. This was a first attempt to overcome the crisis. However, it was not possible at that time Leslie, to bring the situation under control. This reached its peak around 1932 and should be overcome until later in the 1930s with the help of federal policy and the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Further CV

After the end of his term in January 1933, Harry Leslie was involved in building the Standard Life Insurance Company, whose president he became later. Leslie died in December 1937 in Florida and was buried in Indianapolis. He was married to Martha Morgan, with whom he had three children.