Frank Leslie CHELF, Congress, KY (1907-1982)

1907-1982

CHELF, Frank Leslie, a Representative from Kentucky; born on a farm near Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ky., September 22, 1907; attended the public schools, Centre College at Danville, Ky., and St. Mary’s (Ky.) College; was graduated from the law school of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1931; was admitted to the bar in 1931 and commenced practice in Lebanon, Ky.; attorney of Marion County, Ky., 1933-1944; took leave of absence from his official duties on August 1, 1942, to volunteer in the United States Army; commissioned a first lieutenant in the Air Corps and saw active service; served as chief code designator, Intelligence Division, Air Transport Command, and later as executive officer, Plans and Liaison Division, and as assistant chief of Air Staff Training; discharged on August 10, 1944, due to physical disability, with rank of major in the Air Corps; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936; elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1945-January 3, 1967); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1966 to the Ninetieth Congress; resumed the practice of law; legislative consultant; resident of Lebanon, Ky., until his death there on September 1, 1982; interment at Ryder Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present