Leon Cash was born on this day in 1866, in Davie County, to Dr. Leon H. and Mrs. Sallie Holman Cash.
He attended grade and high schools in Davie, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. He began teaching school at the age of sixteen, and was superintendent of schools for Davie County. He came to Winston-Salem in 1896 and was a member of the faculty of the Salem Boys School.
He was then principal of North School for eight years. After serving in education for 27 years, he worked for four years as office manager for the Forsyth Chair Company. He then became secretary and treasurer and a director of the Standard Building & Loan Association, and he was president and treasurer at the time of his death in 1937.
He also served as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, and he was the first auditor for Forsyth County.
Leon was very active in the Masonic Order, beginning in the Farmington Lodge, then moving to Salem Lodge and Winston Lodge. He held several honorable positions, and was elected grand master in 1925. In fact, he was called “the grand old man of Masonry.” He was so revered by the Masons that his birthday was celebrated by all the masons in the city in 1933.
He was also affiliated with other civic and social organizations, and was an active member of Centenary Methodist Church.
Leon was married to Fannie Hartsell.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
Here’s my favorite of him: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpuuUeijblj/
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