American politician (1790–1867)
Sheppard Church Leakin (1790 – November 20, 1867) was Mayor of Baltimore from November 5, 1838, to November 2, 1840.
Early life
Sheppard Church Leakin was born in 1790, in Govanstown, Maryland (now Baltimore ).[ 1] [ 2] His ancestors emigrated from Northumberland , England in 1684 and acquired an estate on the Patapsco River .[ 1]
Career
Leakin enlisted in the 38th Infantry Regiment . He was part of the defense of Baltimore at the Battle of North Point and Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 .[ 1] [ 3] He worked as a printer and was the proprietor of a bookstore in Fell's Point . He was a publisher for the Baltimore Chronicle , working with Samuel Barnes.[ 1] [ 2] [ 4] He also became president of the Canton Company.[ 2]
Leakin ran for sheriff of Baltimore County as a Republican . He served as sheriff from 1821 to 1824.[ 5] Leakin ran for governor as a Whig . He became the Mayor of Baltimore on November 5, 1838, and served until November 2, 1840, after losing the mayoral election to Samuel Brady . During his administration, the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal opened and the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad was completed from Baltimore to York, Pennsylvania .[ 1] [ 6]
Leakin became major general of the First Light Division of the Maryland Militia in 1862.[ 7]
Personal life
Leakin married Margaret Dobbin. They had two children, George A. and Sheppard A. His son, George Armistead Leakin, was a reverend in Baltimore County .[ 1] [ 4]
Leakin died on November 20, 1867, at his home in Spring Hill in Baltimore County.[ 1] [ 4]
Legacy
Leakin Street in Baltimore, located on land previously owned by the Canton Company, was named after Leakin by the Canton Company.[ 2] Leakin Park was named after Leakin's grandson and is situated close to where Leakin lived.[ 3]
References
^ a b c d e f g "Sheppard C. Leakin (1790–1867)" . Maryland Manual On-Line . Maryland State Archives . May 20, 2002. Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
^ a b c d "Man In The Street: Leakin" . The Baltimore Sun . June 24, 1951. p. 18. Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b "Hill Says Leakin's Ancestor Lived In Area Urged As Park" . The Baltimore Sun . July 28, 1936. p. 7. Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b c "Death of General Sheppard C. Leakin" . The Baltimore Sun . November 21, 1867. p. 1. Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Baltimore County, Maryland – Sheriffs" . Maryland State Archives . March 14, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022 .
^ "Municipal Election" . The Baltimore Sun . October 20, 1840. p. 2. Retrieved July 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "State Military Appointment" . The Baltimore Sun . July 21, 1862. p. 1. Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
External links