Paul Leidy (November 13, 1813 – September 11, 1877) was a Democratic member of the

U.S. House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...

from

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, serving one term from 1857 to 1859.

Biography

Paul Leidy was born in Hemlock Township, Pennsylvania, son of John and Sarah (Girton) Leidy. His father died when Paul was in his teens and a guardian, Samuel Brugler, was appointed for him in 1831. He attended the common schools and apprenticed as a tailor at about age 16. He taught school in

Danville, Pennsylvania Danville is a borough in and the county seat of Montour County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. The population was 4,221 at the census. Danville is part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick micropolitan area. ...

, for several years beginning about 1838 and simultaneously, he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1837 and commenced practice in Danville. His obituary states that, "He applied himself diligently to his chosen profession and built up a lucrative practice." He served as district attorney of

Montour County, Pennsylvania Montour County is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 18,136. Its count ...

from 1852 to 1857.

Congress

Leidy was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John G. Montgomery. During his term, congress was involved in the dispute regarding the admission of Kansas as a state, a topic on which Leidy addressed the House (30 March 1858). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in

1858 Events January–March * January – **Benito Juárez (1806–1872) becomes Liberal President of Mexico. At the same time, conservatives install Félix María Zuloaga (1813–1898) as president. **William I of Prussia becomes regent f ...

Personal life

Paul Leidy was married three times. He married Jane Fruit Kitchen in 1842, by whom he had seven children. He was married to Eloise Hill in 1870, and was also married to Margaret Montgomery.

Death

He died in Danville in 1877. Interment in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Sources

The Political Graveyard
Pennsylvania lawyers People from Columbia County, Pennsylvania People from Montour County, Pennsylvania 1813 births Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania 1877 deaths 19th-century American politicians 19th-century American lawyers {{Pennsylvania-Representative-stub