Biography

07/09/1846 - 05/10/1909

John David Biddis (D22) Carbon, Monroe and Pike Counties 1882-1886

Early Life: 

John David Biddis, born July 9, 1845 Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania; son of Charles R. and Caroline (Wells) Biddis; educated, Eclectic Hall Seminary, Milford and private teachers; studied law with Lucien Barnes, admitted, Pike County bar, 1867; elected, District Attorney, Pike County, served, 13 years; elected, Pennsylvania State Senator, 1882-1886; resigned in order to accept the Chief Clerk position, National Revenue Department, Washington D.C.; served a dual role as Assistant United States Solicitor; married Mary D. Decker, two daughters, Helen Ruth, Miss Patty; died, May 10, 1909 (aged 63) Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; interment Milford Cemetery, Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected District Attorney, Pike County, served, 13 years.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senator, 22nd district, Carbon, Monroe and Pike Counties, 1882-1886; committee assignments, Canals and Inland Navigation, Compare Bills, Insurance, Judiciary Local, Military Affairs, resigned, 

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Chief Clerk, National Revenue Department, Washington D.C.; Assistant United States Solicitor, 1886-1909

Legacy: 

Milford, founded, 1796, after the American Revolutionary War on the Delaware River by his grandfather Judge John Biddis, one of Pennsylvania's first four circuit judges. Named the settlement after his ancestral home in Wales. 

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members B". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1883). Smull, W.P., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 764, 770-772, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 729.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1885). Smull, W.P., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 843, 849-851, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 807.

Mathews, Alfred; History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties; Chapter Two, Pike County; 1886, pages 840-846.

John David Biddis (1845-1909) - Find a Grave Memorial