Stephen Banks LEONARD, Congress, NY (1793-1876)

LEONARD Stephen Banks , a Representative from New York; born in New York City April 15, 1793; attended the public schools; moved with his parents to Owego, N.Y., and learned the printer's trade; engaged in newspaper work in Albany, N.Y.; moved to New York City and subsequently returned to Owego; publisher and editor of the Owego Gazette 1814-1835; trustee of the village of Owego; supervisor and commissioner of excise; trustee of Owego Academy for many years; established the first stage route from Owego to Bath in 1816; postmaster of Owego 1816-1820; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1835-March 3, 1837); elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1841); chairman, Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds (Twenty-Sixth Congress); declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress; engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits; supervisor of Owego 1854-1856; deputy United States marshal 1857-1861; died in Owego, Tioga County, N.Y., May 8, 1876; interment in the Presbyterian Church Burying Ground.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present