Cessna was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and Hall's Military Academy in Bedford. Cessna graduated from Marshall College in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He taught school, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Bedford.

Democratic service edit

Cessna served as member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1850, 1851, 1862, and 1863, and served as speaker of the house in 1850 and 1863. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1856 and at Charleston, South Carolina, and Baltimore, Maryland, in 1860.

Republican service edit

Cessna became affiliated with the Republican Party in 1863, and served as chairman of the Republican State convention in 1865. Cessna was elected chairman of the Republican State central committee in 1865. Cessna was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1868, 1876, and 1880.

United States House of Representatives edit

Cessna was elected as a Republican to the Forty-first Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870. Cessna was elected to the Forty-third Congress. Cessna was not a candidate for renomination in 1874. Cessna was again a member of the State House of Representatives in 1892. Cessna resumed the practice of law in Bedford where he died in 1893.

• Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

• United States Congress. "John Cessna (id: C000265)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard