John Peter Cleaver SHANKS, Congress, IN (1826-1901)

SHANKS John Peter Cleaver , a Representative from Indiana; born in Martinsburg, Va. (now West Virginia), June 17, 1826; pursued an academic course; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1848 and commenced practice in Portland, Ind., in 1849; prosecuting attorney of Jay County in 1850 and 1851; member of the State house of representatives in 1855; during the Civil War served in the Union Army as a colonel and aide-de-camp; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1863); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress; elected to the Fortieth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1875); chairman, Committee on Militia (Forty-first Congress); Committee on Indian Affairs (Forty-second Congress); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1874; resumed the practice of his profession; was again a member of the State house of representatives in 1879; died in Portland, Jay County, Ind., January 23, 1901; interment in Green Park Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present