John Leathers was the son of a cabinet maker. By age 16, he was clerking at a dry goods store in Martinsburg, just 10 miles south of Maryland and the Potomac River. By 1859, he came to Louisville and worked for his uncle who was a retail druggist. A year later, Leathers became a bookkeeper in the wholesale clothing firm of William Terry & Co. In 1861, Leathers returned home and joined the 2nd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, and returned to Louisville in 1865, having healed from his wound. His old employer founded a new firm and was holding a position open for Leathers. Leathers eventually worked for Jones & Tapp. In 1870, he became partner and renamed the company Tapp, Leathers & Co. Leathers also became president of the Louisville Banking Company. Under Leathers direction, the Louisville Banking Company became Kentucky's largest financial institution. He was also president of the Confederate Association of Kentucky. He was president of the largest united Confederate Veteran camps in the country. He was also instrumental in helping to establish a Confederate Veterans Home on 421 East Chestnut Street in Louisville, Ky.
contributor Bryan Bush
contributor Bryan Bush
John Leathers was the son of a cabinet maker. By age 16, he was clerking at a dry goods store in Martinsburg, just 10 miles south of Maryland and the Potomac River. By 1859, he came to Louisville and worked for his uncle who was a retail druggist. A year later, Leathers became a bookkeeper in the wholesale clothing firm of William Terry & Co. In 1861, Leathers returned home and joined the 2nd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, and returned to Louisville in 1865, having healed from his wound. His old employer founded a new firm and was holding a position open for Leathers. Leathers eventually worked for Jones & Tapp. In 1870, he became partner and renamed the company Tapp, Leathers & Co. Leathers also became president of the Louisville Banking Company. Under Leathers direction, the Louisville Banking Company became Kentucky's largest financial institution. He was also president of the Confederate Association of Kentucky. He was president of the largest united Confederate Veteran camps in the country. He was also instrumental in helping to establish a Confederate Veterans Home on 421 East Chestnut Street in Louisville, Ky.
contributor Bryan Bush
contributor Bryan Bush
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