Career
In 1860 the United States. Civil War, Lesley formed his own volunteer company the "Sunny South Guards". After the war he became a state senator Major William Iredell Turner (1812-1881) and Lesley (then a major) helped confederate secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin escape following the collapse of the confederacy and hid Benjamin in a swamp behind Major Turner"s House.
He remained there for several days until they were sure the area was cleared of Federal soldiers.
Benjamin was then transported to Gamble Mansion. Lesley was one of the original owners of the Tampa Street Railway.
Theodore Lesley, Lesley"s other son, was a County Historian and preservationist. Lesley is buried in downtown Tampa"s Oaklawn Cemetery.