John Herman DENT, Congress, PA (1908-1988)

DENT, John Herman, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Johnetta, Armstrong County, Pa., March 10, 1908; educated in the public schools of Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties, the Great Lakes Naval Aviation Academy, and through correspondence school courses; member of the local council of United Rubber Workers 1923-1937, serving as president of Local 18759 and on the executive council; also member of the international council; Jeannette City Councilman, 1932-1934; served in the United States Marine Air Corps 1924-1928; member of the State house of representatives 1934-1936; elected to the State senate in 1936; reelected in 1940, 1944, 1948, 1952, and 1956, and served until elected to Congress; Democratic floor leader in State senate 1939-1958; operated the Kelden Coal & Coke Co. of Hunkers, Pa., and the Building & Transportation Co. of Trafford and Jeannette, Pa.; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-fifth Congress, by special election, January 21, 1958, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Augustine B. Kelley; reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses and served from January 21, 1958, to January 3, 1979; was not a candidate for reelection in 1978 to the Ninety-sixth Congress; was a resident of Greensburg, Pa., until his death in Jeannette, Pa., on April 9, 1988.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present