Leroy Valliant

Leroy Branch Valliant was born on June 14, 1838, in Moulton, Alabama. When he was a child, his family moved to Mississippi. He went to preparatory school in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He attended Cumberland University, graduating with an LL.B in 1858. He was admitted to the bar in 1859. == Career ==

Valliant practiced law with Frank Valliant in the firm of F. Valliant and L. B. Valliant in Greenville, Mississippi, starting in 1859. This was followed by his receipt of a license to practice before the Supreme Court of Missouri on March 22, 1875. In 1884, Valliant had an unsuccessful run for the St. Louis Court of Appeals as a Democrat. In October 1886, he was selected to fill a vacancy on the Democratic ticket for the St. Louis Circuit Court. However, on November 4, 1886, Governor John S. Marmaduke appointed Valliant to the circuit court fill the unexpired term of the deceased Judge Horner. Valliant was reelected to the circuit court in 1892 and served until 1898 when he was elected to the Supreme Court of Missouri for a special four-year term. He was reelected to the Supreme Court for a ten-year term in 1902, serving as its chief justice. He retired from the bench on January 1, 1913. == Personal life ==

Valliant married Theodosia T. Worthington of Washington County, Mississippi, in 1862. Valliant was a member and chancellor of the Shakespeare Council of Knights of Pythias. He served as the vice president of the Southern Historical and Benevolent Society in 1883. He was active in the Ex-Confederate Association of Missouri, attending their annual reunions. He was also an incorporator and later vice president of the Confederate Home of Missouri. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, South. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. == See also ==