John Cessna (Congressional Biographical Directory)

CESSNA, John, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born near Bedford County, Pa., June 29, 1821; attended the common schools and Hall’s Military Academy, Bedford, Pa.; was graduated from Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa., in 1842; taught school; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Bedford; member of the State house of representatives in 1850, 1851, 1862, and 1863, and served as speaker of the house in 1850 and 1863; delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati in 1856 and at Charleston and Baltimore in 1860; affiliated with the Republican Party in 1863; chairman of the Republican State convention in 1865; elected chairman of the Republican State central committee in 1865; delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1868, 1876, and 1880; elected as a Republican to the Forty-first Congress (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1871); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; elected to the Forty-third Congress (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1875); was not a candidate for renomination in 1874; again a member of the State house of representatives in 1892; resumed the practice of law in Bedford, Pa., where he died December 13, 1893; interment in Bedford Cemetery.