The article presents the life path of Leon Karciński, the long-time mayor of Nowy Żmigród, against a broader historical and local background. Childhood in Pruchnik, junior high school in Jasło, adulthood in Nowy Żmigród and the last years of his life in Kraków were described as the consequences of the social advancement of the shoemaker’s son to high official positions. The topic of complicated Polish-Jewish relations in Galicia was discussed, the events related to World War I in Nowy Żmigród were described in detail, as well as the issue of the town losing its city rights in 1934. The author of the sketch tries to reconstruct the process of Leon Karinski becoming embedded in the collective memory of Żmigród inhabitants. The article is based on press articles, diaries and many oral accounts.