Paul Leidy

Paul Leidy (November 13, 1813 – September 11, 1877) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, serving one term from 1857 to 1859. He represented his Pennsylvania constituency during a significant period in American history, participating in the legislative debates of the pre–Civil War era and contributing to the democratic process as a member of the Democratic Party.

Leidy was born in Hemlock Township, Pennsylvania, on November 13, 1813, the son of John and Sarah (Girton) Leidy. His early life was marked by the death of his father while he was still in his teens, and in 1831 a guardian, Samuel Brugler, was appointed for him. He attended the common schools of the area and, at roughly the age of sixteen, was apprenticed as a tailor, learning a trade that provided his initial livelihood before he turned to the study of law.

Pursuing further education on his own initiative, Leidy began to study law while also working as a schoolteacher. Around 1838 he taught school in Danville, Pennsylvania, for several years, using this period both to support himself and to continue his legal studies. He was admitted to the bar in 1837 and opened a law practice in Danville. Contemporary accounts, including his obituary, noted that he applied himself diligently to his chosen profession and built up a lucrative practice, establishing himself as a respected attorney in his community.

Leidy’s legal career led naturally into public service. He served as district attorney of Montour County, Pennsylvania, from 1852 to 1857, a role in which he was responsible for prosecuting criminal cases and representing the interests of the county in legal matters. His work as district attorney enhanced his public profile and provided him with experience in public affairs at a time when sectional tensions were intensifying across the nation.

In 1857 Leidy was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative John G. Montgomery. As a member of the Democratic Party representing Pennsylvania, he contributed to the legislative process during his single term in office from 1857 to 1859. His service in Congress occurred during a critical period in American history, as lawmakers grappled with issues surrounding slavery and the expansion of the Union. During his term, Congress was deeply involved in the dispute regarding the admission of Kansas as a state, and Leidy addressed the House on this subject on March 30, 1858, reflecting his engagement with one of the central controversies of the era. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858 and returned to private life after the conclusion of his term.

In his personal life, Leidy married three times. In 1842 he married Jane Fruit Kitchen, with whom he had seven children. He later married Margaret Montgomery, and in 1870 he married Eloise Hill. His family life, alongside his professional and political career, rooted him firmly in the social and civic fabric of Danville and the surrounding region.

Paul Leidy spent his later years in Danville, continuing to be identified with the legal and civic life of his community. He died there on September 11, 1877, and was interred in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. His career, encompassing work as a teacher, lawyer, district attorney, and member of Congress, reflected the trajectory of a nineteenth-century Pennsylvania professional who rose from modest beginnings to national office during a formative period in the nation’s history.