De Leon, a sugar planter from Bacolor, Pampanga, was president of the Pampanga Sugar Development Corporation (PASUDEC0), the biggest planting and milling corporation before the war. He was the moving spirit behind the Agricultural Association of Pampanga, an organization of big landowners and farmers in the province. He was assassinated in his office in San Fernando, Pampanga, on July 12, 1939. Born September 12, 1867 in Bacolor, Pampanga. Son of Damaso de Leon and Graciana Hizon; married Regina Joven in 1886 with whom he had a son, Jose, Jr; became a widower in 1905; second marriage to Natividad Joven, no children. A recognized leader of the sugar industry, he was also an owner of many valuable improved properties in Manila. He was a self-made man, having started to work in agriculture when very young. He later opened a general merchandise store, "The Indispensable", in Bacolor. He eventually acquired the agency for Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth of Lincoln, England, manufacturers of machinery for sugar and rice mills, and as property owner and planter gradually became an important figure in the agricultural industries. He was a member of the Land Assessment Board of Pampanga during the early years of the American government and later served as councilor for the municipality of Bacolor. In addition to being president of the Pampanga Sugar Development Co. Inc., De Leon was vice-president of the Central Luzon Milling Co. and a member for the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Bank.

Jose L. de LeonCaption Note)