Leek, S. N. (Stephen Nelson), 1858-1943

Stephen Nelson Leek (1858-1943) was one of the earliest settlers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was born in Turkey Point, Ontario, Canada and lived in Kearney, Nebraska, and Salt Lake City, Utah, before moving to Wyoming sometime around 1882. He worked on several ranches in southeast Wyoming before settling permanently in Jackson Hole between 1886 and 1888 where he homesteaded a ranchsite three miles south of the present town of Jackson. Stephen Leek was a hunter, trapper, dude rancher and guide as well as a writer and wildlife photographer. He also served as a Uinta County Representative in the 1907 session of the Wyoming House of Representatives. He did extensive photographic and motion picture studies of elk, and toured the country on the Orpheus Vaudeville circuit billed as "The Father of the Elk." Through his photographs, writings and personal appearances he was instrumental in building public support for saving the Jackson Hole elk herd that culminated in the establishment of the National Elk Refuge in Jackson.

From the description of S.N. Leek papers, 1882-1946. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 27591751

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