JUDGE LEROY HARLESS, now superintendent of the Kanawha County Infirmary,located eight miles west of Charleston, W. Va., was born in what is now Boonecounty, W. Va., August 23, 1842, and is a son of James H. and Spicey (Barker)Harless. James H. Harless was born in Giles countty, Va., where he waseducated. At the time and some time after his marriage, he lived in that partof Kanawha county that now makes up Boone county, W. Va., where he ownedabout 300 acres of land, which has passed into the possession of his heirs.His death occurred when he was seventy years of age. He married in Kanawbacounty and his widow survived him some years, passing away in her eightiethyear. Ten children were born to them, namely: Martha, Silas B., James B.,Le-roy, Rachel, Mary, Nancy, Willa, William and Virginia. The survivors are:James B., Leroy, Rachel, Willa, William and Virginia. The parents of theabove family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Tn earlyman-hood the father was a Whig and later became a Republican and on theticket of that party was elected to a number of district offices. LeroyHarless was scarcely through school before he joined a volunteer militarycompany, becoming a member of Co. B, 8th Va. Vol. Inf., recruited for theUnion Army. After the termination of his first period of enlistment, hereenlisted in the 7th W. Va. Cav., with which he remained connected until theclose of the war. He saw much hard fighting and bravely faced danger on ahundred occasions or more, but fortunately escaped all serious injury andwhen the war ended gladly resumed a life of peace. He came back to Kanawbacounty and for a number of years was engaged in a mercantile business on Coalriver, near Fort Peytona. After this he went into the number and timberhusiness which he continued until 1892, when he was elected deputy sheriff onthe Republican ticket. He served in this capacity for four years underSheriff Silman, and four years under Sheriff Copenhaver, and two more yearsunder Sheriff John Jarrett. He was then elected a county commissioner inKanawba county, and after serving six years returned to private life for twoyears, when he was appointed to his present responsible office, in 1910. Hehas always been a Republican and a strong party man. He has a beautifulresidence at No. 1001 Bigley avenue, Charleston, which is the family home,but six days in the week he is found at the Infirmary, where all the dutiespertaining to this institution are faithfully and efficiently considered,both as to the best interests of the county charges and of the tax payers. Heowns a farm of 153 acres, situated in Washington district, - Kanawha county,on which his son-in-law lives as a tenant.Mr. Harless was married first on February 25, 1869, to Miss Lethia Keeney, adaughter of Foster and Eliza Keeney, of this county. She died February 7,1907, and her burial was on Allen Creek in Kanawba county. She is survived byfive children: Elmer E., Cora Ollie, Carrie 0., Gertrude and Wesley. Mr.Harless was married second, December 24, 1909, to Mrs. Rufiny (Foster)McLane, a daughter of James Foster, of Kanawha county. Mrs. Harless marriedfirst Charles Hanna, and they had one child, Minnie. No children were born toher second marriage to Charles McLane. Mr. Harless and wife attend the BowmanMetho-dist Episcopal church. He belongs to Blundon Post, G. A. R., atCharleston, and also to tl)e Odd Fellows.Source:History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and RepresentativeCitizens W.S. Laidley Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, ILL. 1911 p.394-395