Leon C. Phillips facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Chase Phillips
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Phillips in 1938
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| 11th Governor of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 |
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| Lieutenant | James E. Berry |
| Preceded by | E. W. Marland |
| Succeeded by | Robert S. Kerr |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office 1933-1938 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | December 9, 1890 Grant City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | March 27, 1958 (aged 67) Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hillcrest Cemetery Weleetka, Oklahoma 35°20′26″N 96°07′38″W / 35.340635°N 96.127325°W |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Leon Chase "Red" Phillips (born December 9, 1890 – died March 27, 1958) was an American lawyer. He served as a state lawmaker and became the 11th governor of Oklahoma. He was governor from 1939 to 1943.
Before becoming governor, Phillips was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was also the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. In these roles, he often disagreed with the plans of governors William H. Murray and E.W. Marland. This included parts of the New Deal programs.
As governor, Phillips wanted to cut state spending a lot. However, he could not make the state budget completely balanced. After leaving politics, he worked as a lawyer. He passed away from a heart attack and is buried in Weleetka, Oklahoma.
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Early Life and Education
Leon Phillips was born on December 9, 1890, in Worth County, Missouri. His parents were Rufus Putnam and Bertha Violet Phillips. When he was young, his family moved to Foss, Oklahoma in Custer County.
Phillips first studied to become a minister at Epworth University in Oklahoma City. Later, he changed his studies to law. He earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1916. That same year, he married Myrtle Ellenberger. They had two children together.
Early Career and Military Service
After finishing law school, Phillips was allowed to practice law in Oklahoma. He was also later allowed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
During World War I, he served as a private in the U.S. Army. After the war, he returned to Okemah, Oklahoma. There, he started his law practice.
Political Journey
Leon Phillips had an active career in Oklahoma politics. He was known for his strong opinions and efforts to control state spending.
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Phillips was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives three times. He served from 1933 to 1938. In 1935, his fellow lawmakers chose him to be the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
As Speaker, he often opposed the ideas of governors William H. Murray and E.W. Marland. His opposition to Governor Marland's plans helped him become Speaker.
Becoming Governor
In 1938, Phillips ran for governor against Ross Rizley. He won the election and became the 11th Governor of Oklahoma. His term as governor began on January 9, 1939, and ended on January 11, 1943.
Phillips was the first person who had been a state representative to become Governor of Oklahoma.
Governor's Challenges
During his time as governor, Phillips faced some challenges. He was known for trying to cut the state budget. Even with big spending cuts, the budget approved by the 17th Oklahoma Legislature was not balanced. This was the last state budget that was not required to be balanced.
Phillips played a key role in creating a new rule for Oklahoma's government. This rule was a constitutional amendment. It made it a requirement for the Oklahoma Legislature to have a balanced budget. Voters approved this important change in 1941.
Phillips believed that the New Deal programs were too much federal involvement in state matters. He often tried to block these programs in Oklahoma.
Later Years
After his term as governor ended, Leon Phillips went back to his farm near Okemah, Oklahoma. He continued to work as a lawyer.
He passed away on March 27, 1958. He had a heart attack while waiting for a client at the post office in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
