John D. Hoblitzell Jr.

John Dempsey Hoblitzell Jr. (December 30, 1912 – January 6, 1962) was an American politician from West Virginia. He was a member of the Republican Party.

John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
United States Senator
from West Virginia
In office
January 25, 1958 – November 4, 1958
Appointed byCecil H. Underwood
Preceded byMatthew M. Neely
Succeeded byJennings Randolph
Personal details
Born(1912-12-30)December 30, 1912
Parkersburg, West Virginia
DiedJanuary 6, 1962(1962-01-06) (aged 49)
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Political partyRepublican
Alma materWest Virginia University

Hoblitzell was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1934. He was involved in insurance, real estate, construction, and banking businesses. He was active in community service and civic affairs, serving as the first president of the West Virginia Junior Chamber of Commerce (1939–1940). From 1942 to 1946 he served in the United States Naval Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant.

He also served in several positions in education, including as a member board of governors of West Virginia University (1937–1944), a member of the Wood County School Board (1950–1956), a delegate to the White House Conference on Education (1954), president of the West Virginia School Boards Association (1954), and a member of the National Citizens Committee on Higher Education (1955). In addition, he was chairman of the Governor's West Virginia Commission on State and Local Finance (1954).

In 1956 Hoblitzell made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives. On January 25, 1958, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Matthew M. Neely. Hoblitzell sought election later in 1958 to the last two years of the term, but was defeated by his Democratic opponent, Jennings Randolph, and left office with his election loss on November 4, 1958. After leaving the Senate, he resumed his business interests.

Hoblitzell died of a heart attack in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1962 and was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in his native Parkersburg.

  • United States Congress. "John D. Hoblitzell Jr. (id: H000665)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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