John J. Allen Jr.

John Joseph Allen Jr. (November 27, 1899 – March 7, 1995) was the U.S. representative from California's 7th congressional district from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959.[1] He is the last Republican to represent Oakland and Berkeley in Congress.[2]

John J. Allen Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 7th district
In office
January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1959
Preceded byJohn H. Tolan
Succeeded byJeffery Cohelan
Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation
In office
January 5, 1959 – January 20, 1961
Preceded byLouis S. Rothschild
Succeeded byClarence D. Martin Jr.
Member and President of the Oakland Board of Education
In office
1923–1943
Mayor of McCall, Idaho
In office
1988–1992
Personal details
BornNovember 27, 1899
Oakland, California
DiedMarch 7, 1995(1995-03-07) (aged 95)
McCall, Idaho
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley
OccupationAttorney, politician
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1942–1945
RankLieutenant Commander
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II

He served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1959 to 1961, helping to lay the groundwork for the future Department of Transportation.

He retired to McCall, Idaho in 1970, where he later served as mayor from 1988 to 1992. During this time he was America's oldest mayor.

Early life and education

John J. Allen Jr. was born to John J. Allen Sr., an Alameda County Judge, in Oakland, California, on November 27, 1899.

Allen Jr. graduated from public high school and while studying at Berkeley joined the United States Navy as an Apprentice seaman during World War I.[1]

Career

After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1922, Allen Jr. was admitted to the California State Bar and commenced practice. Between 1923 and 1943 Allen Jr. served as a member of the Oakland Board of Education, serving several terms as president. He also served as the President of the California State School Trustees Association from 1936 to 1938, and as a member of the County Republican Central Committee from 1936 to 1944.[1]

In 1942, during World War II, Allen Jr. returned to the Navy, this time serving as a Lieutenant commander. He was discharged in 1945.[1]

After his military service, Allen Jr. served as the vice-chairman for the State Commission on School Districts,[1] and in 1946 ran for Congress in California's 7th Congressional District after the retirement of Congressman John H. Tolan. Allen Jr. beat Democrat Patrick W. McDonough by 13,520 votes.[3] Allen voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.[4]

After his unsuccessful re-election bid, Allen Jr. was appointed as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation on January 5, 1959, serving until 1961.

Later life

After his political career ended in 1961, John J. Allen Jr. resumed the practice of law until his retirement in 1969. He resided in McCall, Idaho, and at the age of 87 he was elected Mayor of McCall, serving until his death in 1995.[2]

References
  1. "ALLEN, John Joseph, Jr. – Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  2. "Travel & Outdoors – At 91, Idaho Mayor Has Seniority System Down Pat – Seattle Times Newspaper". community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  3. "Election Statistics, 1920 to Present | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  4. "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
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