John Herman Dent

John Herman Dent (March 10, 1908 – April 9, 1988) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

John H. Dent
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 21st district
In office January 21, 1958 – January 3, 1979
Preceded by	Augustine Kelley
Succeeded by	Donald Bailey
Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office January 3, 1939 – January 21, 1958
Preceded by	John Rice
Succeeded by	Charles Weiner
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 39th district
In office January 5, 1937 – January 21, 1958[1]
Preceded by	Benjamin Thompson
Succeeded by	Paul Mahady
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Westmoreland County district
In office January 1, 1935 – November 30, 1936
Personal details
Born	March 10, 1908 Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Died	April 9, 1988 (aged 80) Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic

Early life and education

John Dent was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Genevieve Dent. He was educated in the public schools of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, the Naval Station Great Lakes, and through correspondence school courses.

Business activities

He was a member of the local council of the United Rubber Workers from 1923 to 1937, and served as president of Local 18759, on the executive council, and as a member of the international council. He operated the Kelden Coal & Coke Co. of Hunker, and the Building & Transportation Co. of Trafford, and Jeannette.

Government activities

He was a Jeannette City Councilman from 1932 to 1934. He served in the United States Marine Air Corps from 1924 to 1928. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1935 to 1936, and a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1937 to 1958.[2] He was the Democratic Floor Leader in the State Senate from 1939 until 1958.

He was elected in 1958 as a Democrat to the 85th United States Congress, by special election, January 21, 1958, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Augustine Kelley, and was reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1978.

References

• United States Congress. "John Herman Dent (id: D000255)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-25
• The Political Graveyard

1. Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1957-1958" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
2. Cox, Harold. "Senate Members D". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.