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 by	Josiah A. Ferris
Succeeded by	John A. Henderson
Personal details
Born	(1835-05-12)May 12, 1835 Madison County, Florida
Died	July 13, 1913(1913-07-13) (aged 78) Tampa, Florida
Political party	Democrat
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 service	1855 (USA) 1862-1863
Rank	Captain
Unit	4th Florida Infantry 1st. Special Cavalry Battalion
Battles/wars	Third Seminole War American Civil War

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]