Leon Jastremski

Leon Jastremski (July 17, 1843 - November 29, 1907) was a Confederate soldier, journalist, and the mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Short biography
Leon Jastremski was a Polish immigrant who moved to the United States with his family in 1852 or 1853 from Soulon, France. After the death of his parents in 1856, he worked as a printer's apprentice. During the Civil War, he served as a Private in the 10th Louisiana Infantry Regiment and for a time was with Col. Walerian Sulakowski's brigade in Virginia. He fought for the Union side at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862 and was captured and imprisoned at Fort Delaware. After he was released, he fought at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Harper's Ferry, and Antietam. He rose to the ranks of Captain and was captured for a third time at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864. He was wounded twice during his service in the Confederate Army.

In 1876, he was elected mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As mayor he was instrumental in restoring Baton Rouge as the state capital. He was a founder of the United Confederate Veterans Association, elected chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, and led Grover Cleveland's presidential campaign in Louisiana. He was U.S. consul to Peru from 1893 to 1897 and was appointed state commissioner of agriculture and later served as private secretary to the governor. He ran for governor in 1903 and 1907, both times without success.