Leon Sanders

Leon Sanders (May 25, 1867 – August 18, 1937) was a Jewish-American lawyer, politician, and judge from New York.

Leon Sanders
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 12th District, New York County
In office 1899–1902
Preceded by	Joseph Schulum
Succeeded by	Edward Rosenstein
Personal details
Born	(1867-05-25)May 25, 1867 Odessa, Russian Empire
Died	August 18, 1937(1937-08-18) (aged 70) California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bertha Fischer
Children	Frances Van Pragg Theresa Penner Nathan N.
Occupation	Lawyer, politician, judge

Early life and education

Leon Sanders was born on May 25, 1867, in Odessa, Russian Empire, to Nathan Sanders and Elka Green.^[1] He immigrated to America with his parents as a child.^[2] Sanders attended New York Law School while working as a clerk for the Commissioner of Jurors in New York City. He was admitted to the bar in 1895.

Career

Sanders began his career working as a clerk for Drake, Mastin & Company, and later as a bookkeeper for the Baumann Brothers and Edison General Electric Company. He eventually specialized in legal matters related to distilleries and wholesale liquor houses, establishing himself as a prominent business lawyer.^[3]

A leader in Tammany Hall, Sanders was known for his oratory and debating skills. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1898 as a Democrat, representing New York County's 12th District. He served from 1899 to 1902.^[4] In 1903, Sanders was elected as a Justice of the New York City Municipal Court, serving until 1913 when he resigned to return to private law practice.^[1]

In the 1916 United States congressional election, Sanders ran as the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th congressional district but lost to Socialist Meyer London.^[5]

Community Involvement

Sanders was deeply involved in Jewish causes and fraternal organizations. He served as president of the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society and chaired the Committee on Immigration of the American Jewish Congress. Sanders also held leadership roles as Grand Master of the Independent Order of B'rith Abraham and president of the Jewish Fraternal Congress. He was a member of the board of governors of the Jewish Maternity Hospital and a founder and president of Temple Beth-El in Cedarhurst.^[2]

Personal life

In 1896, Sanders married Bertha Fischer.^[3] They had three children: Frances Van Pragg, Theresa Penner, and Nathan N.^[6]

Death

Leon Sanders was killed in a car accident in California on August 18, 1937. He was buried in Mount Lebanon Cemetery.^[7]