Leonidas Howard Sr. (1849 â March 8, 1912), usually known as Leon Howard, was a laborer in Memphis, Tennessee who is believed to have been an ex-slave) and served one term as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 43rd General Assembly (1883âÂÂ84). A Republican, he was African-American. He eventually moved to Bakersfield, California where he died at his home March 8, 1912.