10 Facts About Shepherd Leffler

Shepherd Leffler was one of the two original US Representatives to represent Iowa when the state was first admitted to the Union.

Shepherd Leffler was born on his grandfather's plantation, "Sylvia's Plain," in Washington County, Pennsylvania, near Wheeling, Virginia.

Shepherd Leffler attended private schools and was graduated from Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania, and from the law department of Jefferson College, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1833.

Shepherd Leffler was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Wheeling.

Shepherd Leffler served as member of the Iowa Territory's House of Representatives in 1839 and 1841, and on its Territorial Council from 1841 to 1843 and again in 1845.

Shepherd Leffler was the brother of Virginia Congressman Isaac Leffler.

Shepherd Leffler had been elected to represent Iowa's 2nd congressional district in the Thirtieth Congress from 1847 to early 1849.

Shepherd Leffler served as chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions in the Thirty-first Congress.

Shepherd Leffler was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Iowa in 1875, losing to another Iowa pioneer, Samuel J Kirkwood.

Shepherd Leffler died at his home, "Flint Hills," near Burlington, on September 7,1879.