San Joaquin County
Biographies
WALLACE RUTHORN LEADBETTER
W. R. LEADBETTER.--Among the
prominent educators who have been associated with the schools of Stockton, none
have enjoyed a higher reputation for sound views and business methods than the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Maine, born at Leeds,
Androscoggin County, August 14, 1838, his parents being Horace and Eliza D.
(Shaw) Leadbetter, both of whom were natives of Kennebec
County, Maine. W. R. Leadbetter spent his early
boyhood days in his native county, and then commenced his schooling. He
afterward attended the Maine Seminary (Wesleyan) at Kent’s Hill, and also
Monmouth Academy. His higher education, completed in 1860, was paid for by his
own efforts, with money he obtained as compensation for teaching, which he
commenced when but eighteen years of age. He followed his chosen profession in
Maine (mostly at Augusta) until 1863, having meantime been honored with several
terms as superintendent of schools of his native county. He removed to
California, via Panama, in 1863, and taught his first term, in this State, at
the Henderson school, near Woodbridge, San Joaquin County. After teaching four
years in this county he went back to Maine, and was soon afterward elected to
the Legislature of that State. He served out his term of office, remaining in
his native State about a year, and then returned to California, again locating
in San Joaquin County. One year later he was elected superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County, and served four years in that office,
by virtue of re-election. He then retired from the active pursuit of his
profession, bought a ranch near Collegeville, and for ten years devoted his
attention to agricultural pursuits. In the meantime, however, he was elected to
represent this district in the State Legislature, and served in the session of
1880. Among the committees on which he did duty in that body were those on
Education, and on Public Buildings and Grounds.
In 1884 Mr. Leadbetter removed into the city of Stockton, and in the following year was elected City Superintendent of Schools. He has been re-elected, and is now serving his third term, his administration of the duties of the office being eminently satisfactory to the citizens.
Mr. Leadbetter is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Republican. He is a man of broad views and extensive experience in educational affairs, firm yet courteous in his business dealings, and is a very popular official.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 419-420. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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