Leander Monks

Leander John Monks (July 10, 1843 – April 19, 1919) was a justice of the Indiana Supreme Court from January 7, 1895, to January 7, 1913.

Early life and education Monks was born in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, to George W. Monks and Mary A. Irvin. His father was twice elected county clerk, and served in the Indiana General Assembly for the 1855 session.

Monks was educated in the common schools, and attended Indiana University Bloomington from 1861 to 1863, gaining admission to the bar in Indiana in 1865, and entering the practice of law in 1866. he wrote an opinion construing the garnishee law of 1897 to require the filing of an affidavit in attachment before a writ of garnishment could issue. In Board of Commissioners v. Allman, he wrote an opinion overruling a large number of earlier decisions to the effect that counties are liable for injuries caused by detective bridges. In Baton v. Thomas, he wrote an opinion holding that usurious interest may be recovered back. In Louisville, N. A. & C. Railway Co. v. Bates, he wrote an opinion holding that a railroad company is bound to inspect foreign cars received from other roads in the ordinary course of business, before setting its own servants at work operating them.

In 1899, the Indiana State Bar Association's Indiana Law Journal said of Monks:

After leaving the bench, Monks returned to the practice of law in Indianapolis, and wrote the well-regarded book, Courts and Lawyers of Indiana. Monks died in Indianapolis.

Personal life In 1865, Monks married Lizzie W. White; they had four children.