John Overton Pendleton (July 4, 1851 – December 24, 1916) was a U.S. Representative from West Virginia.

Biography

Pendleton was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia (then part of Virginia), the son of Confederate veteran Joseph H. Pendleton and Margaret (Ewing) Pendleton. His family moved to Wheeling, West Virginia (then part of Virginia) in 1851. He attended Aspen Hill Academy in Louisa County, Virginia from 1865 to 1869. From 1869 to 1871 he was a student at Bethany College. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1874 and commenced practice in Wheeling. Pendleton was active in politics as a Democrat. In 1886, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the West Virginia. In March 1889, he presented credentials as a Member-elect to the 51st United States Congress Congress and took his seat. He served from March 4, 1889, to February 26, 1890, when he was succeeded by George W. Atkinson, who successfully contested the election. Atkinson served out the remainder of the term, until March 3, 1891. In 1890, Pendleton was elected to the 52nd Congress. He was reelected to the 53rd Congress in 1892, and he served from March 4, 1891, to March 3, 1895. In the 53rd Congress, Pendleton was chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Later life

Pendleton was an unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination in 1894. After leaving Congress he resumed the practice of law in Wheeling. He died in Wheeling on December 24, 1916, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.