John W. Heselton

John Walter Heselton (March 17, 1900 – August 19, 1962) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1945 until January 3, 1959. Heselton represented Massachusetts' first congressional district for seven consecutive terms.

John W. Heselton
Heselton, c. 1957
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st district
In office January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	Allen T. Treadway
Succeeded by	Silvio O. Conte
Personal details
Born	(1900-03-17)March 17, 1900 Gardiner, Maine, U.S.
Died	August 19, 1962(1962-08-19) (aged 62) Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Libbie Sweet ​ (m. 1931)​
Children	0
Parents	George W. Heselton (father) Mary E. Stafford (mother)
Alma mater	Amherst College (BA) Harvard Law School (JD)
Occupation	Lawyer politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1918
Rank	private
Conflict	World War I

Heselton was born in Gardiner, Maine, the son of George W. and Mary E. (née Stafford) Heselton.^[1] He joined the United States Army for World War I, but his October 1918 enlistment came shortly before the end of the war, and Heselton was discharged in December. He graduated from Amherst College and Harvard Law School, and practiced law in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He married his wife, Libbie Sweet, a graduate of Simmons College, in 1931. Heselton was active in Deerfield town politics, and was president of the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association from 1935 to 1938. He was the district attorney of the northwestern district of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1944. In 1944 he was elected to Congress, and served until his retirement in 1959.^[2][3] Heselton voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[4]

Heselton retired in Vero Beach, Florida, and died on August 19, 1962, after having considered a political comeback in Florida earlier that year.^[2] He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Gardiner, Maine.

References

1. "Rep. Heselton's Sister Dies At Her Home in Maine". The North Adams Transcript. 1953-09-08. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
2. "Former Rep. Heselton Dies at Vero Beach, 61". The North Adams Transcript. 1962-08-20. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
3. "Libbie S. Heselton". The Press and Post (Hoosick Falls). 1984-05-09. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
4. "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.

External links

• United States Congress. "John W. Heselton (id: H000549)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• John W. Heselton at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Allen T. Treadway	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st congressional district 1945–1959	Succeeded by Silvio O. Conte