Photo: US Government Printing Office — Public domainSource
John Herman Dent
politician
- March 10, 1908
- April 4, 1988
- 80 years
About John Herman Dent
John Herman Dent, 80, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1958-1979).
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Full Biography
|John Herman Dent (March 10, 1908 – April 9, 1988) was an American politician who served eleven terms as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1958 to 1979.
Early life and education
John Dent was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Genevieve Dent. He was educated in the public schools of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, the Naval Station Great Lakes, and through correspondence school courses.
Business activities
He was a member of the local council of the United Rubber Workers from 1923 to 1937, and served as president of Local 18759, on the executive council, and as a member of the international council. He operated the Kelden Coal & Coke Co. of Hunker, and the Building & Transportation Co. of Trafford, and Jeannette.
Government activities
He was a Jeannette City Councilman from 1932 to 1934. He served in the United States Marine Air Corps from 1924 to 1928. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1935 to 1936, and a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1937 to 1958. He was the Democratic Floor Leader in the State Senate from 1939 until 1958.
Congress
He was elected in 1958 as a Democrat to the 85th United States Congress, by special election, January 21, 1958, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Augustine Kelley, and was reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1978.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Herman_Dent
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 26, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from John Herman Dent's archived record and the sources above.
1.On what date did John Herman Dent pass away?
- A.January 21, 1979
- B.February 25, 2008
- C.March 10, 1988
- D.April 9, 1988correct
John Herman Dent passed away on April 9, 1988.
Source: introductory paragraph
2.Where was the Building & Transportation Co. operated by John Herman Dent located?
- A.Armstrong and Westmoreland
- B.Jeannette and Hunker
- C.Trafford and Hunker
- D.Trafford and Jeannettecorrect
John Herman Dent operated the Building & Transportation Co. of Trafford, and Jeannette.
Source: business activities
3.In which counties did John Herman Dent receive his education?
- A.Trafford and Jeannette
- B.Armstrong and Westmorelandcorrect
- C.Westmoreland and Hunker
- D.Hunker and Armstrong
John Herman Dent was educated in the public schools of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.
Source: early life and education
4.On what date was John Herman Dent born?
- A.January 21, 1908
- B.March 10, 1908correct
- C.April 9, 1908
- D.December 10, 1908
John Herman Dent was born on March 10, 1908.
Source: introductory paragraph
5.In which city was John Herman Dent born?
- A.Trafford, Pennsylvania
- B.Jeannette, Pennsylvaniacorrect
- C.Hunker, Pennsylvania
- D.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
John Herman Dent was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.
Source: early life and education
6.Who were the parents of John Herman Dent?
- A.Samuel and Martha Dent
- B.John and Sarah Dent
- C.Augustine and Genevieve Dent
- D.Samuel and Genevieve Dentcorrect
John Herman Dent was born to Samuel and Genevieve Dent.
Source: early life and education
7.Which branch of the military did John Herman Dent serve in from 1924 to 1928?
- A.United States Marine Air Corpscorrect
- B.United States Army
- C.United States Navy
- D.United States Coast Guard
John Herman Dent served in the United States Marine Air Corps from 1924 to 1928.
Source: government activities
8.John Herman Dent served as a member of which council of the United Rubber Workers?
- A.Local 18759correct
- B.Local 19370
- C.Local 19580
- D.Local 19880
John Herman Dent served as president of Local 18759 of the United Rubber Workers.
Source: business activities
9.Which company did John Herman Dent operate in Hunker?
- A.Kelden Coal & Coke Co.correct
- B.Building & Transportation Co.
- C.Pennsylvania Rubber Co.
- D.Jeannette Coal & Supply Co.
John Herman Dent operated the Kelden Coal & Coke Co. of Hunker.
Source: business activities
10.During which years did John Herman Dent serve as a Jeannette City Councilman?
- A.1932 to 1934correct
- B.1935 to 1936
- C.1923 to 1937
- D.1937 to 1958
John Herman Dent was a Jeannette City Councilman from 1932 to 1934.
Source: government activities
11.John Herman Dent served in the Pennsylvania State Senate during which period?
- A.1937 to 1958correct
- B.1935 to 1936
- C.1958 to 1979
- D.1932 to 1934
John Herman Dent was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1937 to 1958.
Source: government activities
12.What position did John Herman Dent hold in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1939 to 1958?
- A.Secretary of the Senate
- B.Minority Whip
- C.Senate President Pro Tempore
- D.Democratic Floor Leadercorrect
John Herman Dent was the Democratic Floor Leader in the State Senate from 1939 until 1958.
Source: government activities
13.John Herman Dent was first elected to the U.S. Congress to fill the vacancy created by whose death?
- A.Augustine Kelleycorrect
- B.Genevieve Dent
- C.Samuel Dent
- D.Kelden Coal
John Herman Dent was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Augustine Kelley.
Source: Congress section
14.On what date was John Herman Dent elected to the 85th United States Congress?
- A.November 5, 1958
- B.January 21, 1958correct
- C.April 9, 1978
- D.March 10, 1958
John Herman Dent was elected to the 85th United States Congress by special election on January 21, 1958.
Source: Congress section
15.How many total terms did John Herman Dent serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?
- A.Eight terms
- B.Eleven termscorrect
- C.Nine terms
- D.Ten terms
John Herman Dent served eleven terms as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Source: introductory paragraph
16.Why did John Herman Dent leave the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979?
- A.He was not a candidate for reelection in 1978correct
- B.He lost the special election
- C.He retired from politics
- D.He passed away
John Herman Dent was not a candidate for reelection in 1978.
Source: Congress section
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