(July 15, 1839 — July 8, 1906) Witcher was a court clerk and politician. John Witcher was born in Cabell County, Virginia (now in West Virginia) and stayed in Cabell County until 1861, when he enlisted in the Union Army. After the war, Witcher served as a member of the State House of Delegates (1865), and as Secretary of State to West Virginia (1866-1869). He was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives and served from March 4, 1869 to March 3, 1871. After serving in Congress, Witcher was appointed by President Grant to be Collector of Internal Revenue for the third district of West Virginia from 1871 to 1876. Before retiring in 1899, Witcher held many appointments in the federal government, including pension agent at Washington, D. C., and paymaster for the United States Army.
[Source: “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - Present,” available at hhttps://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/W000656]