John V. Lesher Explained

John Vandling Lesher
Image Name:JohnVandlingLesher.jpg
Birth Date:27 July 1866
Birth Place:Blue Hill, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Danville, Pennsylvania, United States
State1:Pennsylvania
District1:16th
Term Start1:March 4, 1913
Term End1:March 3, 1921
Preceded1:John G. McHenry
Succeeded1:I. Clinton Kline
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Bucknell University
Profession:lawyer, politician
Resting Place:Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Branch:Pennsylvania National Guard

John Vandling Lesher (July 27, 1866 – May 3, 1932) was an American lawyer and businessman who was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, serving four terms from 1913 to 1921.

Early life

Lesher was born on a farm in Blue Hill, Pennsylvania. He attended the rural schools in his native county and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

Career

He taught school for several years in Union and Snyder Counties. He graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1897.

Military service

He enlisted in Company K of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1898, and when it was transferred to the Twelfth Regiment he served as a first lieutenant.

Legal and business career

He was promoted to quartermaster with rank of captain, serving until 1902. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1900 and commenced practice in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He served as the assistant district attorney of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was also engaged in banking and real estate development.

Congress

In 1912, Lesher was elected as a Democrat to the sixty-third and to the three succeeding congresses. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to a fifth term in 1920.

Death and burial

He resumed the practice of law in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and died in Danville, Pennsylvania. Interment in Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland, Pennsylvania.

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