David L. Sleeper

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 by	William L. Keissinger
Succeeded by	Josiah M. Allen
Personal details
Born	(1856-06-15)June 15, 1856 Iowa, US
Died	March 31, 1914(1914-03-31) (aged 57) Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Resting place	Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Oklahoma
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Della Burson
Children	five
Alma mater	Otterbein University Cincinnati Law School

Biography

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.