John C. Kunkel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania | |
| In office May 16, 1961 – December 30, 1966 | |
| Preceded by | Walter M. Mumma |
| Succeeded by | Edwin D. Eshleman |
| Constituency | 16th district |
| In office January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1951 | |
| Preceded by | Guy J. Swope |
| Succeeded by | Walter M. Mumma |
| Constituency | 19th district (1939-1945) 18th district (1945-1951) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Crain Kunkel (1898-07-21)July 21, 1898 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 27, 1970(1970-07-27) (aged 72) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Katherine Smoot Kunkel |
| Alma mater | Yale University Harvard Law School |
John Crain Kunkel (July 21, 1898 – July 27, 1970) was aRepublican member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania. He was the grandson ofJohn Christian Kunkel, great-grandson ofJohn Sergeant, and great-great-grandson ofJonathan Dickinson Sergeant andRobert Whitehill. The John Crain Kunkel and Katherine Smoot Kunkel Memorial inRiverfront Park inHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, also known as "Kunkel Plaza," is a scenic amphitheater at Front Street & State Street down from thePennsylvania State Capitol along theSusquehanna River dedicated in 1992 for their many years of service and dedication to the community.
He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he attendedHarrisburg Academy. He also attendedPhillips Academy inAndover, Massachusetts. He graduated fromYale University inNew Haven, in 1916, and from the law department ofHarvard University inCambridge, MA, in 1926. During theFirst World War he served in theStudents' Army Training Corps
He was elected as a Republican to the76th Congress and to the five succeeding Congresses. In 1947–8, he served on theHerter Committee.[1] During World War II Kunkel spoke out against Nazi Germany, even before American entry into the war. After the Fall of France and before the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, when Great Britain was effectively fighting alone, Kunkel advocated helping Britain in their war against the Nazis. He voted in favor of both the 1941 Lend Lease Act to send more military aid to Great Britain, and the 1944 Lend Lease Act as well.[2][3]
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1950 but was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination forUnited States Senator. He served as county commissioner ofDauphin County, Pennsylvania from 1952 to 1956. He was elected as a Republican to the87th Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States RepresentativeWalter M. Mumma. He was reelected to the two succeeding Congresses and served until his resignation on December 30, 1966. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1966.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 19th congressional district 1939–1945 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 18th congressional district 1945–1951 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 16th congressional district 1961–1966 | Succeeded by |
