Mace E. Leatherwood.—A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it takes cognizance of the life and labors of those citizens who have been of material value in the advancement and development of the commonwealth. As a representative citizen of Morris county, its present treasurer and former superintendent of schools, Mr. Leatherwood is entitled to distinctive representation. He is a native of Ohio and was born in Adams county, on Sept. 16, 1869, the son of Joseph and Emily P. (Nichols) Leatherwood, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye state. Joseph Leatherwood was a soldier in the Union army in the Civil war, a member of the Second Ohio cavalry and served from 1862 until the close of the war, in 1865. He was a farmer and came to Kansas in 1875, locating in Morris county on Kaw Indian lands. He became a citzen[sic] of influence and property. His death occurred in 1892, and that of his wife in 1882. They are survived by the following children: Tamzen J., wife of F. W. Fenn, of Coffeyville, Kan.; William R., a lumberman of Burlington, Wash.; Samuel T., a fruit grower of Paonia, Colo.; Mace E., the subject of this review; Roscoe A., of Burlington, Wash.; and Joseph H., of Centralia, Wash. A daughter, Anna, married George Clark, of Adams county, Ohio, and died in 1886.

Mace E. Leatherwood secured his early education in the public schools of Morris county and subsequently attended the State Normal School at Emporia. Afterward he engaged in teaching, a profession which he followed from 1889 until May, 1898, when he was appointed county superintendent of schools for Morris county, to fill an unexpired term. He was elected to this office in November of that year, reëlected in 1900 and retired from the office in May, 1903. His administration of the affairs of this office was broad, progressive and efficient. A lifelong Republican, he was honored by his party, in 1908, by election to the office of county treasurer and reëlected in 1910. During his incumbency of this office he has proven his aptitude for the position and has handled the finances of Morris county in such manner as should reflect credit upon himself. He has attained the Knight Templar and Scottish Rite degrees in Masonry and is affiliated with Isis Temple Shrine of Salina. He is also a member of Kansas Division, Sons of Veterans, and was elected senior vice-commander in 1898.

On July 12, 1899, Mr. Leatherwood married Miss Nita Pearl Holcomb, daughter of Frank H. Holcomb, a prominent farmer and stockman of Morris county. Mrs. Leatherwood is a woman of broad culture and refinement and popular in the social circles of Morris county. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband is a trustee. Mr. Leatherwood is in all respects a high type of the conservative, unassuming American, diligent in his public duties and commercial affairs and conscientious in all things.