Benjamin F. Leiter

Benjamin Franklin Leiter (October 13, 1813 – June 17, 1866) was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer, teacher and justice of the peace from Ohio. He served two terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1855 to 1859.

Benjamin Franklin Leiter
in 35th Congress
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 18th district
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	George Bliss
Succeeded by	Sidney Edgerton
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Stark County district
In office December 4, 1848 – December 1, 1850
Preceded by	John S. Cock
Succeeded by	Samuel Krider
13th Mayor of Canton
In office 1852–1853
Preceded by	J.G. Lester
Succeeded by	John Lahm
15th Mayor of Canton
In office 1854–1855
Preceded by	John Lahm
Succeeded by	Peter Chance
Personal details
Born	(1813-10-13)October 13, 1813 Leitersburg, Maryland
Died	June 17, 1866(1866-06-17) (aged 52) Canton, Ohio
Resting place	West Lawn Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Catherine Burger
Children	seven

Biography

Born in Leitersburg, Maryland, Leiter received a limited schooling as a child. He taught school in Maryland from 1830 to 1834 before moving to Ohio where he continued teaching from 1834 to 1842. He studied law at the office of David A. Starkweather.^[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1842, commencing practice in Canton, Ohio.^{[citation needed]} Leiter was a justice of the peace and mayor of Canton for ten years.^[2] He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1848 and 1849, serving as Speaker of the House in the latter year. Leiter was elected an Oppositionist and later Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1854, serving from 1855 to 1859. He died in Canton, Ohio, on June 17, 1866, and was interred in Canton in West Lawn Cemetery.^{[citation needed]}

In 1836, Leiter married Catherine Burger of Canton. They had seven children.^[1][3] He was a Lutheran.^[3]

See also

• List of mayors of Canton, Ohio