This formal portrait shows John Whitnah Leedy, a Civil War veteran from LeRoy, Kansas. Actively involved in the development of Kansas politics, he embraced Republican values until he changed to the Democratic Party in 1872. In 1890, Leedy changed party affiliations once again by joining the People's Party, better known as the Populist Party. Leedy was elected as a Populist to the Kansas Senate in 1892, a position which he served from 1893 to 1895. Leedy was elected as the fourteenth Governor in 1896, defeating Governor Edmund Needham Morrill. Leedy served one term, from January 11, 1897 to January 09, 1899. His administration was noted for establishing the School Textbook Commission, the State printing plant and the State grain commission.
