John Vandling LESHER, Congress, PA (1866-1932)

LESHER, John Vandling, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born on a farm on Blue Hill, Union Township, Union County, Pa., July 27, 1866; attended the rural schools in his native county and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg; taught school for several years in Union and Snyder Counties; was graduated from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., in 1897; enlisted in Company K, National Guard of Pennsylvania, in 1898, and when it was transferred to the Twelfth Regiment served as a first lieutenant; promoted to quartermaster with rank of captain, serving until 1902; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1900 and commenced practice in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pa.; served as assistant district attorney of Northumberland County, Pa.; also engaged in banking and real estate development; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1913-March 3, 1921); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1920 to the Sixty-seventh Congress; resumed the practice of law in Sunbury, Pa.; died in Danville, Pa., May 3, 1932; interment in Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Pa.

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