Pennsylvania's 24th congressional district was one of Pennsylvania's districts of the United States House of Representatives.
History The 24th congressional district of Pennsylvania was created in 1833, during a period of nationwide expansion in the House of Representatives following the 1830 census. Over the course of its existence, the district's boundaries shifted multiple times in response to population changes documented by subsequent censuses. These changes reflected the evolving demographics and political landscape of Pennsylvania throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The district encompassed various regions of the state during its history, at times including parts of northwestern Pennsylvania, such as Erie and Crawford counties, as well as other areas in the western and central portions of the state. The specific composition of the district was altered with each redistricting cycle, as the state legislature responded to shifts in population and political priorities.
Pennsylvania's 24th district sent a number of representatives to Congress, some of whom played significant roles in national and state politics. Throughout its existence, the district was represented by members of several political parties, reflecting the broader trends in Pennsylvania's political alignment over time.
Following the 1980 United States census, Pennsylvania's representation in Congress was reduced due to slower population growth relative to other states. As a result, the state underwent a significant redistricting process, and the 24th congressional district was eliminated in 1983, with its territory redistributed among neighboring districts.
List of representatives Representative Party Years Congress Note District established March 4, 1833 John Banks Anti-Masonic March 4, 1833 – April 2, 1836 Redistricted from the 18th district and re-elected in 1832.Re-elected in 1834.Resigned to become the judge of the Berks judicial district. Vacant April 2, 1836 – December 5, 1836 John James Pearson Anti-Jacksonian December 5, 1836 – March 3, 1837 Elected to finish Banks's term.Not a candidate for renomination in 1836. Thomas Henry Anti-Masonic March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1841 Elected in 1836.Re-elected in 1838.Re-elected in 1840. Whig March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 Joseph Buffington Whig March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847 Elected in 1843.Re-elected in 1844.Not a candidate for renomination in 1846. Alexander Irvin Whig March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 Elected in 1846.Not a candidate for renomination in 1848. Alfred Gilmore Democratic March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 Elected in 1848.Re-elected in 1850.Not a candidate for reelection in 1852. Carlton B. Curtis Democratic March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 Redistricted from the 23rd district and re-elected in 1852. David Barclay Democratic March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 Elected in 1854. James L. Gillis Democratic March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 Elected in 1856.Lost re-election. Chapin Hall Republican March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 Elected in 1858.Not a candidate for renomination in 1860. John Patton Republican March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 Elected in 1860.Not a candidate for renomination in 1862. Jesse Lazear Democratic March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 Redistricted from the 20th district and re-elected in 1862.Not a candidate for renomination in 1864. George V. E. Lawrence Republican March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869 Elected in 1864.Re-elected in 1866.Not a candidate for renomination in 1868. Joseph B. Donley Republican March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 Elected in 1868.Lost re-election. William McClelland Democratic March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 Elected in 1870.Lost re-election. William S. Moore Republican March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 Elected in 1872. John W. Wallace Republican March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 Elected in 1874.Not a candidate for renomination in 1876. William S. Shallenberger Republican March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883 Elected in 1876.Re-elected in 1878.Re-elected in 1880. George V. E. Lawrence Republican March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 Elected in 1882.Not a candidate for renomination in 1884. Oscar L. Jackson Republican March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1889 Elected in 1884.Re-elected in 1886.Lost renomination. Joseph W. Ray Republican March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891 Elected in 1888.Lost renomination. Andrew Stewart Republican March 4, 1891 – February 26, 1892 Lost election contest. Alexander K. Craig Democratic February 26, 1892 – July 29, 1892 Won election contest.Died. Vacant July 29, 1892 – December 5, 1892 William A. Sipe Democratic December 5, 1892 – March 3, 1895 Elected to finish Craig's term.Re-elected in 1892.Lost renomination. Ernest F. Acheson Republican March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1909 Elected in 1894.Re-elected in 1896.Re-elected in 1898.Re-elected in 1900.Re-elected in 1902.Re-elected in 1904.Re-elected in 1906.Lost renomination. John K. Tener Republican March 4, 1909 – January 16, 1911 Elected in 1908.Resigned to become Governor of Pennsylvania. Vacant January 16, 1911 – March 3, 1911 Charles Matthews Republican March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1913 Re-elected in 1910.Lost re-election. Henry W. Temple Progressive March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 Elected in 1912.Lost re-election. Vacant March 4, 1915 – November 2, 1915 Henry W. Temple Republican November 2, 1915 – March 3, 1923 Installed after being elected to replace Rep-elect William M. Brown who died before taking office.Re-elected in 1916.Re-elected in 1918Re-elected in 1920.Redistricted to the 25th district. Samuel A. Kendall Republican March 4, 1923 – January 8, 1933 Redistricted from the 23rd district and re-elected in 1922.Re-elected in 1924.Re-elected in 1926.Re-elected in 1928.Re-elected in 1930.Lost re-election.Died. Vacant January 8, 1933 – March 4, 1933 J. Buell Snyder Democratic March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1945 Elected in 1932.Re-elected in 1934.Re-elected in 1936.Re-elected in 1938.Re-elected in 1940.Re-elected in 1942.Redistricted to the 23rd district. Thomas E. Morgan Democratic January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1953 Elected in 1944.Re-elected in 1946.Re-elected in 1948.Re-elected in 1950.Redistricted to the 26th district. Carroll D. Kearns Republican January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1963 Redistricted from the 28th district and re-elected in 1952.Re-elected in 1954.Re-elected in 1956.Re-elected in 1958.Re-elected in 1960.Lost renomination. James D. Weaver Republican January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 Elected in 1962.Lost re-election. Joseph P. Vigorito Democratic January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1977 Re-elected in 1964.Re-elected in 1966.Re-elected in 1968.Re-elected in 1970.Re-elected in 1972.Re-elected in 1974.Lost re-election. Marc L. Marks Republican January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983 Elected in 1976.Re-elected in 1978.Re-elected in 1980.Redistricted to the and retired. District dissolved January 3, 1983
References
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present