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John J. Allen Jr. | |
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's7th district | |
| In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1959 | |
| Preceded by | John H. Tolan |
| Succeeded by | Jeffery Cohelan |
| Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation | |
| In office January 5, 1959 – January 20, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | Louis S. Rothschild |
| Succeeded by | Clarence D. Martin Jr. |
| Member and President of theOakland Board of Education | |
| In office 1923–1943 | |
| Mayor ofMcCall, Idaho | |
| In office 1988–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 27, 1899 |
| Died | March 7, 1995(1995-03-07) (aged 95) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | Attorney, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
John Joseph Allen Jr. (November 27, 1899 – March 7, 1995) was the U.S. representative fromCalifornia's 7th congressional district from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959.[1] He is the last Republican to representOakland andBerkeley in Congress.[2]
He served asUnder Secretary of Commerce for Transportation under PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower from 1959 to 1961, helping to lay the groundwork for the futureDepartment of Transportation.
He retired toMcCall, Idaho in 1970, where he later served as mayor from 1988 to 1992. During this time he was America's oldest mayor.
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 atBerkeley joined theUnited States Navy as anApprentice seaman duringWorld War I.[1]
After graduating fromUC 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, duringWorld War II, Allen Jr. returned to the Navy, this time serving as aLieutenant 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 CongressmanJohn H. Tolan. Allen Jr. beatDemocrat Patrick W. McDonough by 13,520 votes.[3] Allen voted in favor of theCivil 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.
After his political career ended in 1961, John J. Allen Jr. resumed the practice of law until his retirement in 1969. He resided inMcCall, Idaho, and at the age of 87 he was elected Mayor of McCall, serving until 1992.[2]
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