Leander Monks

Leander John Monks (July 10, 1843 – April 19, 1919) was a justice of the Indiana Supreme Court from January 7, 1895 to January 7, 1913. Early life and education Monks was born in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, to George W. Monks and Mary A. Irvin. His father was twice elected county clerk, and served in the Indiana General Assembly for the 1855 session. Monks was educated in the common schools, and attended Indiana University from 1861 to 1863, gaining admission to the bar in Indiana in 1865, and entering the practice of law in 1866. Legal and political career Monks practiced with various attorneys, and, developing a fondness for politics, was made county chairman of the Republican Party, serving in that capacity through the campaigns of 1870 and 1872. He became a member of the Republican State Committee and the Executive Committee in 1874. He served on these committees during the campaigns of 1874 and 1876, resigning from them to become a candidate for circuit judge in 1878.