Leland S. Speed
Former mayor of Jackson, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leland Speed (October 20, 1899 – August 8, 1971)[1][2] was an investment banker and former mayor of Jackson, Mississippi and the husband of Katherine Rhymes Speed.
Leland Speed | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi | |
| In office 1945–1949 | |
| Preceded by | Walter A. Scott |
| Succeeded by | Allen C. Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 20, 1899 |
| Died | August 8, 1971 (aged 71) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Katherine Willis Rhymes Speed Ettl
(m. 1931) |
| Children | 5, including Leland R Speed, James Speed, Shellie Speed Bartlett, Joseph L Speed and Lake C Speed.Lake |
| Parent(s) | Joseph William Speed & Nebraska Jane “Brack” Pickering Speed |
Biography
Speed was born on October 20, 1899, in Covington County, Mississippi, to Joseph W. and Nebraska Pickering Speed. He received a business degree from Bowling Green College. He ran for mayor successfully in 1945, defeating incumbent Walter Scott.[3] He ran again in 1949, but was defeated by Allen C. Thompson.[4] He died of "an apparent heart attack" at his home in Jackson on August 8, 1971.[2]
The library at Mississippi College is named after Speed. The funds for the library were given by his children.[5]
Personal life
Speed married Katherine Rhymes in 1931.[6] They had five children: Leland Rhymes (1932–2021), James (1934–1935), Joseph Liston, Shellie (Speed) Bartlett, and Lake Chambers (born 1948).[7][8][5]
