David Lawrence Sleeper (1856-1914) was a Republican politician in the U.S. state of Ohio who was Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives 1896-1898.

David Lawrence Sleeper
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Athens County district
In office
January 3, 1894 – January 2, 1898
Preceded byWilliam L. Keissinger
Succeeded byJosiah M. Allen
Personal details
Born(1856-06-15)June 15, 1856
Iowa, US
DiedMarch 31, 1914(1914-03-31) (aged 57)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Resting placeHighland Cemetery, Lawton, Oklahoma
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDella Burson
Childrenfive
Alma materOtterbein University
Cincinnati Law School

Biography

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David L. Sleeper was born in Iowa on June 15, 1856.[1] He attended Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio and taught school for five years.[1][2]

Sleeper graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1880, and practiced law at Athens, Ohio. From 1885 to 1891 he was prosecuting attorney for Athens County.[1][2] He was elected to the 71st General Assembly of the Ohio House of Representatives, (1894-1896), as a Republican.[1] He was re-elected to the 72nd General Assembly, (1896-1898), when he was selected by his peers as Speaker.[2][3]

In 1896, Sleeper moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he practiced law.[2]

David L. Sleeper was married November 7, 1877 to Mary Dell "Della" Burson of Athens County, Ohio. They had five children.[2] He was a Scottish Rite Mason, Elk, and member of the I.O.O.F.[2]

He died suddenly March 31, 1914 of apoplexy,[4] and is buried in Lawton, Oklahoma.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Ohio General Assembly (1895). Manual of legislative practice in the General Assembly. Westbote Company. pp. 143.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Mercer, James K; Vallandigham, C N (1896). Representative men of Ohio, 1896-97. Columbus: Mercer and Vallandigham. p. 107.
  3. ^ Ohio General Assembly (1917). Manual of legislative practice in the General Assembly. State of Ohio. p. 303.
  4. ^ "FORMER SPEAKER DAVID SLEEPER DIES IN SOUTH", The Newark Advocate, Wednesday, April 01, 1914, Newark, Ohio, United States Of America
Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by Speaker of the Ohio House
1896-1898
Succeeded by