Leon Lavington
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Leon Edward Lavington, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Auditor of Colorado | |
| In office January 9, 1945 – January 14, 1947 | |
| Governor | John Charles Vivian |
| Preceded by | James L. Bradley |
| Succeeded by | Homer Bedford |
| 35th Treasurer of Colorado | |
| In office January 12, 1943 – January 9, 1945 | |
| Governor | John Charles Vivian |
| Preceded by | Homer Bedford |
| Succeeded by | Homer Bedford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 8, 1889 Flagler, Colorado |
| Died | December 13, 1961 (aged 72) Denver, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
Leon Edward Lavington, Sr. (October 8, 1889 – December 13, 1961) was an American politician who served as the Treasurer of Colorado from 1943 to 1945, as the Auditor of Colorado from 1945 to 1947, and was the Republican candidate in the 1946 United States gubernatorial elections.[1]
Hon. Leon Edward Lavington, Sr. was the first child born to the pioneering homesteaders of Flagler, Colorado. His parents were William Henry “W.H.” and Louella Isabel “Ella” (Van Heusen) Lavington.
W.H. came to Kit Carson County, Colorado in 1888 by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and developed Flagler along with his partner and brother-in-law, W.L. Price. Prior to the settlement of the town, the location had been named Bowser in memory of the W.H.'s favorite dog who had died. Notable projects include the first general store and combined post office, Flagler State Bank, and the Hotel Flagler built in 1909. The hotel has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior; it later became the Flagler Hospital, under by W.L. McBride, and now serves as the Town Hall and library.
W.H. was President of the Flagler State Bank, held the office of County Commissioner for Kit Carson County from 1893 to 1895, and served as Postmaster of Flagler from 1889 to 1894. Ella worked alongside W.H. and served on the School Board of Education for Flagler County Public Schools.
Leon, Sr. graduated from the University of Colorado in 1915 before entering the United States WWI Draft Registration of 1917.
Marriage
His wife, Marjorie (Dixon) Lavington, graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, class 1914 and Pi Beta Phi member. She also served as a Former Chairman of the American Red Cross Gray Ladies of Denver.
Political career
When the town of Flagler was incorporated, Leon, Sr. was the first Mayor of Flagler, and served as President of the First National Bank of Flagler, previously the Flagler State Bank.
Initially appointed by Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr to a civil service commission, State Purchasing Agent, Leon, Sr. was elected Auditor of State and Colorado State Treasurer before running for Governor (R 1946). The third largest blizzard in recorded state history preceded the gubernatorial election, shutting down street cars, which resulted in a less than 30 percent voter turn-out (Historical Blizzard, November 2–4, 1946, 30.4 inches). The election was lost by a small margin having won nearly 48 percent of the vote.
